Labor Rates... Did I get ripped off?

[b4yougo2]

I have been having an issue with my 2005 SV-211 w/ PCM Excalibur 330 engine. The oil pressure gauge would drop to zero periodically. When I reduced the throttle and then brought back up to cruising RPM (3,000) the pressure would return to normal (50-60psi). This happened a number of times until one day the check engine light (CEL) came on and the computer limited the RPM to under 1K (Limp Mode). I replaced both the pressure sensor and sender (both located on same "T" fitting on the starboard side of the engine) and reset the CEL by starting and stopping the engine about 20x. The same issue reoccurred with the new parts so I took it to my local dealer to have the engine codes read. He charged me $132 an hour for labor (I supplied the parts as I had spares handy). Here is the breakdown of his services:

Description Hours Charge
Scan for codes 1 $132
Replace oil sender and switch 1 $132
Lake Test 1 $132
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 $396.00

When replacing the oil sender and switch myself it took all of 15 minutes as there is only one Phillips screw holding the wire on each part then they simply unscrew from the "T" fitting. I can't believe scanning the engine computer for fault codes took more than five minutes. I know a lot of mechanics charge "book time" versus actual hours worked, but I feel ripped off having to pay almost $400 bucks for at most an hour of time assuming they did a thorough lake test. Has anyone else had similar experiences with their Nautique dealer?

[swatguy]

Unfortunately that's about right for labor at a stealership. I wouldn't expect that from a private guy unless he was at my boat on a call out. The lake test hr rate seems little like a kick in the pants. The labor rates for certain parts are all on estimates based on specs whether it takes only 15 minutes of actual time to get it done, it's still an hour on the books. This is why I say the lake test charge is a kick in the pants. He should've had enough time leftover to run it imo. Especially with a scan at an hr rate. That took 5 min tops. Usually when you go outside the dealership labor rates should drop off, but a good mechanic who will show up on a moments notice is sometimes worth their rate to keep you on the water. That's up to you to decide on what's "worth it". He's billing you like a dealership would. I can't verify the actual hr's for each service you had done though

I would say he's on the high side.

[Chexi]

Minimum 1 hour per task billing? That sounds like a rip off to me. If I billed my clients in 1 hour increments, I would have no clients.

[shag]

There is probably a minimum somewhere posted... But all said and done, that maybe took two hours... Did they detail or at least clean the boat also?

[fb_rider]

So, maybe I'm missing something here, but it sounds like the dealership did the same thing as you did. Did it fix the issue?

I would suggest writing or calling the owner of the dealership and asking for a concession on the charges. Companies are very concerned these days about getting a bad review online or on social media.

[b4yougo2]

Shag- They did not detail or clean the boat. Actually the boat was dirtier than when I dropped it off. I am very meticulous about keeping my boat clean. It came back with shoe prints on the seats and black marks on the hull that seem to be from old tires at the dock. Took me three hours to clean the boat and buff out the tire marks on the hull.

fb_rider- The problem is intermittent so it remains to be seen if the problem is truly fixed for good. I took it out for a quick test when I picked it up from the dealer, but the real test will come this weekend. I complained about the charges and they took 1 hr of labor off my bill.

[swatguy]

Shag- They did not detail or clean the boat. Actually the boat was dirtier than when I dropped it off. I am very meticulous about keeping my boat clean. It came back with shoe prints on the seats and black marks on the hull that seem to be from old tires at the dock. Took me three hours to clean the boat and buff out the tire marks on the hull.

fb_rider- The problem is intermittent so it remains to be seen if the problem is truly fixed for good. I took it out for a quick test when I picked it up from the dealer, but the real test will come this weekend. I complained about the charges and they took 1 hr of labor off my bill.

This is part of the reason if my boat ever goes in I yank the carpet, or on my old boats without remove able carpet I used to throw in a moving blanket or two. Call it OCD call it crazy, but I really don't expect mechanics to pop off their boots everytime. Personally a good mechanic/dealership will do this as boats come in for service, but having been serviced at a lot of dealerships around Midwest I learned to just make it idiot proof so to speak by supplying my own.

[Chexi]

Good advice swatguy.

[shag]

A good dealer / mechanic will clean up (reasonably) after themselves.

[b4yougo2]

swatguy- Is that your SANTE on the Lower Fox River just North of old Camp Algonquin on a lift?