I/O or OB

Maybe Spares can shed some light on the 30K computer. I think that price is in fact what it cost dealers to become certified to service verado motors. I don't take my boat to any dealers . . . but I've bought a ton of blown motors from them and from folks on craigslist. Occasionally I'll get receipts with the motors. I have one receipt for $2200 for parts and labor to replace an trim and tilt unit on a Mariner Magnum 150. I have another for $995 for replacing a pair of switch boxes and a stator on a Mercury XR6. It's crazy what people can charge for that work, but the overhead is what kills the dealer . . . especially if they're within a few miles of the ocean in CA.
 
bigshrimpin said:
I have another for $995 for replacing a pair of switch boxes and a stator on a Mercury XR6. QUOTE]

that sounds about right though. switch boxes are close to 200 a piece and a stator is around 400-500. i need to check the flat rate books over here but its gonna atleast be an hour for both.
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the dealer has to

pay the rent
pay the help
pay the taxes
pay the insurance
pay for the parts
and feed his family
and every one wants it for free
if you have the knowledge and the tools fix it yourself
if not if you want to play you have to pay
 
to answer the question about the scan tools, you can get a Rinda tool for about $500, it will cover all the MEFI's(merc, Volvo, Crusader,etc), the Volvo EGC, Delco distributors, later Merc EFI, MERC 555(will not do Opti). The DDT will cover all the same but it will also do Optimax. The new Merc CDS is a laptop driven program that is around $1200 for the software and harnes up to $7000 for the complete toughbook,DMT2000 multimeter,harness package. You can get one, but unless its plugged into Mercnet(dealer only) once a month, the system will crash and have to be rebooted from the original disc and set up thru Mercnet again(pretty sneaky from Merc). Supposably its doen this way to make sure any problem that involves omissions will be verified that its corrected. Truth be known, its just another move from "Big Brother Brunswick" to controll the dealers and the market.

As far as chosing between I/O and O/B. That might take awhile to explain. I make my living working on I/B and I/o's mainly(I do work on OBs, but not as much). If i were to spec out the I/O as I would want it, i would be as reliable and user freindly as any OB, the only problem is that no one would put that kind of package in an I/O boat for general sale. My choice of I/O package for use around here (coastal SC), would be the Volvo Ocean Series engine package, with the composit drive/transom shield. The engine comes with closed cooling but it doesn't include the manifolds or risers(merc doesn't either).The nutra-salt system would help, but I would like the Crusader cooling system. it includes manifolds and risers(yes risers also). Or either use a Volvo OSI diesel package that is completely closed cooled. So after spending much $$$$$$$$, you would have a decent saltwater package. If you're running in fresh water, its not that big of a deal, you can piece together a Merc or Volvo pakage with a 5.7 and it will last. If you have an older boat, upgrading to Alpha1 gen 2, or Volvo SX/DPX would be a good start. I/O do require more service, and if you're worried about freezing, the closed cooling helps that situation(some things will still need to be drained). That being said, my V has OB power, and thats what I'm going to keep on it, If I had teh money to buy a new OB, I would proabably put a Opti on it( just buy the extended waranty), second choice would be the 175 Zuke. I'm not going to be buying a new motor anytime soon, so I'm looking for either a good solid 2.5 merc, or 3.0 Merc to have ready as stand by for the 2.4 200 I have now. there are a lot of things to consider, mainly if you're working on it yourself or paying someone to do it. Newer stuff doesn't give you much choice. This is an argurement that could go on forever, but for what I do, knowing I have equal access for repairing and parts, and where I use the boat, I prefer the OB.
 
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merc seems to like to get the dealers to buy that 7000k pacakge. for as long as i used the tough book on verados i never felt i needed a tough book. they are really cool but they a sure expensive. touch screen is nice though
 
the tough book is nice on the DTS, its not required now, but it will be. If you try to claim a pin point diagnostic, it had better been done on the laptop, they will check it when its hooked up to Merc Net
 
What MJ wrote is prolly the best critique yer gonna get but, here goes my take on the I/O.

When it came time to replace the motor ( 165 hp ) I considered going with a bracket and OB. Would have cost close to 10K. I went with a crate 165 for 2K. I flush it every time it hits the water. No problems. The mileage is good and the boat is well balanced.
took awhile to work the bug out of owning a 30+ year boat but, I have no regrets.
 
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