Detroit Diesel Mechanics In Tampa Area

[Freebird]

I'm in the process of purchasing a 58 Triple Cabin with 12V71's. I consider myself a pretty competitent judge of potential engine problems, but if I see something that scares me, I would like some professional help before popping down my hard earned money on a problem child. The boat is located in New Port Richey (just north of Tampa). Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

 

[gh0zt]

I was inquiring about the same thing at the boat show and the guys at MTU were extremely helpful in finding the right persons.
I would give them a call, explain what you want to do and I am sure they will point you to the right place.

Here are the info for the Tampa Dealer:

Florida Detroit Diesel-Allison, Inc. (Branch)
8411 Adamo Drive
TAMPA, FL 33619
USA
+1 813 621 5651
+1 813 628 0807
Email: gina.miyamoto@fdda.com
Internet: www.fdda.com

C.

 

[Liquid Asset]

I got the man! He has been our mechanic since purchasing the boat and he is a 53 & 71 specialist. He works on our 92s, but he prefers the smaller bore engines that detroit made. If you need his information send me a PM and I will give you his phone number. He is extremly honest and fair.

 

[Freebird]

I was inquiring about the same thing at the boat show and the guys at MTU were extremely helpful in finding the right persons.
I would give them a call, explain what you want to do and I am sure they will point you to the right place.

Here are the info for the Tampa Dealer:

Florida Detroit Diesel-Allison, Inc. (Branch)
8411 Adamo Drive
TAMPA, FL 33619
USA
+1 813 621 5651
+1 813 628 0807
Email: gina.miyamoto@fdda.com
Internet: www.fdda.com

C.

Thanks for your reply. I have been in contact with these folks who said they would charge 2,200-2,500 for a compression check. Boy, I hope she'll turn 2300 RPM at WOT and be smoke free! I can buy a lot of beer for 2,500 bucks!

 

[Freebird]

I got the man! He has been our mechanic since purchasing the boat and he is a 53 & 71 specialist. He works on our 92s, but he prefers the smaller bore engines that detroit made. If you need his information send me a PM and I will give you his phone number. He is extremly honest and fair.

Thanks for your reply. I'll send a PM for his phone number. Honest and fair is exactly what I'm looking for! That's getting harder to find these days. Seems everybody thinks you have money to burn if you have a big boat.

 

[MikeP]

"2,200-2,500 for a compression check"

Just to do a compression check?
That's absurd! I'm not saying it isn't the going rate - I wouldn't know, maybe it is - but it's absolutely ludicrous. 300 bucks will buy you the compression gauge and the DD adapter from Snap-on. It might take a day to do the check on both engines. That's more than $300 an hour - just to do the check, there are no parts involved although someone might argue that you need new valve cover gaskets (you don't) and new fuel pipes (you don't).

 

[Liquid Asset]

RRegister

I forgot to tell you that Steve is also a Surveyor. If you need a boat Survey you can call him for that too.

 

[Freebird]

Depending on the condition of the boat I may forgo the survey. But if anything is questionable I'll contact your guy. I'm still awaiting your reply as to a phone number to contact him. Thanks again.

 

[Freebird]

"2,200-2,500 for a compression check"

Just to do a compression check?
That's absurd! I'm not saying it isn't the going rate - I wouldn't know, maybe it is - but it's absolutely ludicrous. 300 bucks will buy you the compression gauge and the DD adapter from Snap-on. It might take a day to do the check on both engines. That's more than $300 an hour - just to do the check, there are no parts involved although someone might argue that you need new valve cover gaskets (you don't) and new fuel pipes (you don't).

I thought this was a bit much myself, but this is my first venture into marine diesel power. I have owned big diesel trucks and several boats and nothing surprises me any more. Hopefully there will be no indications of compression loss and I can keep what little money I'll have left after the purchase. This will be the largest boat I've owned to date, and I bet it would be a bitch to paddle to shore!

 

[Genesis]

$100 a hole is the "normal" rate for a compression check. To do it correctly you must first have the motors at operating temperature, and you do half the cylinders on each engine at a time. You also must do a full tune-up when you're done because you've disturbed the rack.

So on a pair of 12s, $2400 is not out of line.

 

[MikeP]

I guess I'm seeing it as a time thing. I wouldn't think it would take a knowledgable mechanic all day to do this on both engines. It just seems like a heck of an hourly rate. I failed to note that they were 12Vs so obviously this would take considerably longer than a pair of 8Vs.

Oh well, I guess things cost what they cost! Obviously since most people will not perform their own compression test, mechanics can charge whatever they want to charge and folks just have to grin (or frown) and bear it (or "bare it").

 

[Genesis]

A tuneup on a 12 takes materially longer than it does on a 6 or 8..... four rack sets, etc.....