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lhuff35204 · 13-09-2021, 23:15

I just got a bid from Zimmerman Marine to replace our (2) 4JHTE engines mounts (8 mounts) for $13,000. Does that sound like a fair price for the job? Am I risking the boat if I don't replace them? We're headed to the Bahamas. I don't know what to look for.

**skipperpete** · 14-09-2021, 03:53

Sooo. That’s a day’s work for an average mechanic.......unless your engines have almost impossible access. And the mounts at the top of the price range $1,200 .......no way is that a fair price!!
Here’s the work flow for the job
1. open up the shaft coupling and slide the shaft aft ½”
2. Remove the 2 hold down bolts on each mount
3. Jack up or hoist the engine <>¼”
4. Undo one at a time the engine brackets , remove old mount from bracket and fit new one adjusted to about the same height as the old one
5. refit bracket to engine block and when all are back in place......
6. Lower engine back onto engine bed and loosely refit hold down bolts.
7. Carry out engine alignment and tighten up all mounting bolts then re check alignment
8. Re connect shaft coupling
Do the same process on the second engine and “ it’s Miller time”

Often it’s easiest to do the front 2 mounts and then lower the engine onto them.... then do the rear mounts.
The unforeseen problems are... stripped hold down bolts or rusty/ broken bracket bolts or difficult coupling bolts or difficulty sliding the shaft back far enough to disengage the pilot.
Are your engines easily accessible?
Even in Hong Kong dollars that’s a big quote for replacing 8 mounts.

Manateeman · 14-09-2021, 05:47

The manatee crew all fell on the deck laughing... 13,000 dollars? You mean 13 hundred? That’s two days at $100 an hour. We think they just don’t want to work on your boat for some reason. I’ve seen high estimates as a way of getting out of a job. They don’t have the time because they overbooked, they are short of guys capable of doing the work, they don’t like your dog...
Something is missing in the picture.
Happy trails to you.
The manatees

bobnlesley · 14-09-2021, 06:22

Genuine Yanmar mounts for that sized engine are probably $250-300 each - probably less in the USA - so that's $2500 tops, a moderate mechanic should be able to swap out set in half a day, but if we allow for access/corrosion problems that's a full day on each so another $1500 (that by the way would be lower outside the US) and then you need a good mechanic - though you'll probably get a moderate one at best - for a couple of hours on each motor to ensure all is lined-up and true, so a further $500. Add bull **** bollox and a bit of piss taking and you might get the all in cost up to $6000.

wsmurdoch · 14-09-2021, 06:30

Here is a receipt for (among other things) changing the four mounts on my Yanmar 3HM35F as part of my 2017 haulout.

GreenWave · 14-09-2021, 09:30

yep way too much. Figure $175 per mount in parts (x 8) plus 8-12 hours labor at no more than $150 per hour. Only way it is way more is if the enginee access is horrible, and this should be doable in the water.

Compass790 · 14-09-2021, 16:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by lhuff35204

I just got a bid from Zimmerman Marine to replace our (2) 4JHTE engines mounts (8 mounts) for $13,000. Does that sound like a fair price for the job? Am I risking the boat if I don't replace them? We're headed to the Bahamas. I don't know what to look for.

I'd love to do the job for 1/2 that.
Woohoo I bet the Zimmerman marine boss has a bigger boat than mine tho

**skipperpete** · 14-09-2021, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by lhuff35204

I just got a bid from Zimmerman Marine to replace our (2) 4JHTE engines mounts (8 mounts) for $13,000. Does that sound like a fair price for the job? Am I risking the boat if I don't replace them? We're headed to the Bahamas. I don't know what to look for.

And in answer to your second question..........I doubt that all your mounts are broken to the extent that your boat is at risk BUT if more than a couple of mounts are broken you need to investigate the alignment and prop balance situation. Even one broken mount requires some sort of investigation into WHY it broke.
It’s difficult to advise you without knowing more about the condition of the engine rooms and engine beds etc......it would be great to see some photos of your machinery and the space it lives in.
Pete.