I have a 98′ Merc 50 horse 4 stroke with 4 carbs. I had it in the shop for some rough idling at low rpm’s and was told that the bottom carb was dirty. My quote on cleaning all 4 was just over $700. That hit me as being a little “tall”.
My question. Do I need to get all 4 done or can I just get the one done? Does that price seem right?
Also…keep in mind the motor has been great for over 11 years and this is the first issue it has had and yes…I run Sea Foam in every tank! Thanks guys…RR
The major contributor the carbs not performing is improper end of the year shut down procedure. For years I have stressed to people that fuel addatives are not effective enough the rely solely on. You must physically drain the system.
$700 does seam high for that motor but there is linkage and synchronizing to do on 4 carbs, I did quads on my Yammi a few years ago and it took a few hrs to get everything back and synced.
Carbs do get clogged, get all 4 done as it is probly easiest to remove the intake manifold/carb assembley rater than a single. Also if one is cloggng the rest are soon to follow.
-Mark
Good point on the winterizing motors! Things got away from me last year and I didn’t get that done for the first season ever! That may have cost me. They have already synchronized the carbs for me which helped.
Another thing they suggested was putting in a very fine filter in the gas line (already has one but this one would be much finer and catch water and finer items…) which sounds like a great idea…RR
That price sounds ridiculous to me. I would shop around.
RR. you probly already have a sediment bowl/ seperator. There should be a see through cup somewhere under the engine cover, give it a look see. The more I think about it, I agree with Suzuki, that seems like a high $$$. I might suspect the shop is really busy this time of year (go figure) and its their way of turning work away? I know we do it that way, just bid a job we dont want really high and it generally takes care of itself, and if ya get it oh well your making good $$$.
Do some lookin, but its important to have confidince in your shop.
Heck, you might be able to talk me into “teaching” you to do it. PM if youd like to take a look at it an evening this week. -Mark
Price broken down…
4 repair kits (one/carb) > $63.40 each > $253.60
Labor > 4 hours @ $110.00/hr > $440.00
Shop supplies and waste > $14.30
Easy to see that labor is the killer.
I’d rather not say the marina’s name but I really do trust them and don’t think they are ripping me off but the total project just hits me as tall…RR
Have you just tried loading this thing up with seafoam or ring free and see what happens??
I must be lucky, each year I add a can of seafoam and stabil and use non oxygenated gas and no problems with leaving gas in the carbs for the last 30 years or so.
Probably just cursed myself…. 
Al
Quote:
Price broken down…
4 repair kits (one/carb) > $63.40 each > $253.60
Labor > 4 hours @ $110.00/hr > $440.00
Shop supplies and waste > $14.30
A carb kit is for rebuilding carbs. I Have got close to 100 carbs under my belt and have only ordered 1 kit when someone else tried to do it first and lost parts and gotten a couple of bolw seals or O rings here and there when needed.
I really question a kit for each, sounds lazy and expensive. Why use new when the old will work. It is rare that parts are bad. Im not sure of thes places policy but they could save you $253 ar a bit less (labor to clean)by spraying and wireing the old jets. Its your call but thats my $.02 -Mark
Those repair kits are killer also. Good luck with your decision and no matter what I hope you get her running like new again.
Thanks for the input guys (especially chucker for offering a look at it!). I’m going to get it on water soon to see how its running since the last work they did (I had them throw in an impeller and synch up the carbs). Thanks guys! RR
Well I don’t think cleaning carbs. qualifies as rocket science, I think any half way mechanical person could do it, I’ve done many, but I do have to say, I’ve never done a motor with more than one, so I’m not sure what exactly that brings to the plate. You may need the carb kits you may not, generally speaking, I used some gaskets on the older ones I did, and that was about it. Though the price seems a bit high, I actually think it’s in the ballpark for a metro marine dealer.
All that being said about 8 uears ago I decided fishing was my hobby, and not so much wrenching on my boat and motor, now days I tend to grin a bear it, but if money was tight, I’d do it with some research and a bunch of time. I’d probably pay to have them sync the carbs again if they needed it, i would let the pros do that one.
I agree you probably don’t need a rebuild and good cleaning of your passages should have her running top notch again!
Big difference in price as far as a total rebuild versus cleaning out your main and idle jets!
How many hours on your plugs?
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