THEFERMANATOR
God
$580 later, the old trusty 1988 Merc 200 is back to running sweet.
The whole grey stuff was the sea foam cleaning whatever was inside the motor, so the lesson here is, when trouble shooting, do one thing at a time only. It was all carbs...they replaced the gasket kits, valve kits (not sure what this is) and a new pump diaphragm. Parts was $142.10 including $25 for picking up the boat and $405 for 4.5 labor hours.
What do you guys think about the bill amount? Fair or over the top?
As always, my thanks for all your input and support and I guess I should stick to my architecture and try to lay off the mechanic in me. Not! My favorite uncle was a car mechanic, was working with him since I was 14 till I went off to college and I really enjoy it, plus I've made a significant investment in tools. Just wish I had more time to work on the boat, the old truck, the spare motor...but I need a plan to get rid of the bills that just keep coming in every month before I can stop working (the jobs that actually pay).
Fishing tomorrow at 6am. If I'm lucky you'll get pictures
Now I see why people were so happy to bring there boats to me. I would do them for $30/Hr +$20 in fuel for my truck to take it to the lake and seatrial it(I did it for what the fuel cost me as I LIKE being on the water and don't consider that part to be work).