Mis-Diagnose By Mechanic 2025

paulmandude reply :

So my boat was acting up. It would die and not start back up and leak gas. I brought it to a marine and told them was was going on. I got a call from him a week later saying my '96 johnson 90 needed a new VRO system and was going to cost $650 parts plus $200 labor to fix. I told him I would call him back after talking to my father for a second opinion. I called the marine back and told them to go ahead with the work and asked if he was sure that was the problem, to which the answer was yes. A couple weeks go by, I call the dude to get an update and said he installed the vro system but is waiting on an ignition switch which should be in today. I asked how much that is and he said $30 for the part, so I was not angry considering that is not much in comparison. Well Friday comes and I was able to go pick up the boat with the work completed. When I picked up the boat he said "I want you to run the boat this weekend and make sure everything's good". I got to run it and seemed great going to a couple spots and going back to the ramp it died and acted the same as it was before. I also noticed the same gas leak while fishing. I immediately called him up telling him it's acting the same. He said drop it by I'll take a look. I got a call from him the next day saying he doesn't see a leak, got it started, and it's a "sweet motor, come pick it up". I grabbed it while they were closed which he said was okay.

My father-in-law heard about what was happening and said to bring it by his mechanic who is 2 hrs away. I drove it there, met the mechanic outside, told him what was happening. He took the cover off the motor and had the problem diagnosed within a minute: a leaking fuel filter.

So now my question is: if I receive a bill for $1000 from the marine that changed the vro system, what should I do? He didn't fix the issue. He never told me why he thought I needed the vro. This is the guy I've been going to for 5 years getting the boat winterized.

Apologies for the extremely long post but appreciate your feedback.

Scott F reply :

I'd say just about your only option is to go back and speak to the owner of the shop that did the work. Ask him why they did all the work they did when it only needed the fuel filter fixed. If he's a stand up guy, he will make an adjustment to the bill. If not, you pay the bill, and never go back.

Alonerankin2 reply :

Nooo, I think a proper conversation to the owner is a start, the mechanic is incompetent. I would push for restitution of some of this bogus work... That's something I will not tolerate anymore.

flyfisher reply :

so here is my take. He replaced the parts and did the labor so he should get paid. What he was wrong about was the diagnosis of the problem, so in that case i would not go back. I would bring it up and if they give you a discount fine and if not fine. Discount or not, I am pretty sure i would not be returning to that particular mechanic for any repairs or maintenance.

And who is to say the VRO wasn't needing to be replaced as well?

Crappiebasser reply :

Did he ask if you wanted to remove the VRO and premix your gas? Most mechanics I know recommend removing the VRO because the pumps are so expensive. It's a lot of money to put in an 18 year old motor.

paulmandude reply :

On 8/17/2014 at 10:04 PM, Crappiebasser said:
Did he ask if you wanted to remove the VRO and premix your gas? Most mechanics I know recommend removing the VRO because the pumps are so expensive. It's a lot of money to put in an 18 year old motor.

I actually asked him if I could premix. He said he wasn't sure if there was just a gas pump out there. It was apparent he was too busy to search online.

Also I think he is the owner or head mechanic of the place and is the one that worked on the boat. The receptionist always refers me to him and he says "I replaced such and such". He's a mercury/honda dealer but has always done good winterizing my johnson. I live by the ocean and this place is out a little way from the salt so I bring it there instead of the place on the ocean that is a certified evinrude/johnson. Lesson learned I suppose.

paulmandude reply :

Also who's to say I needed the vro. He never gave me an explanation of why. The oil bulb was always rock solid even after the boat sitting for weeks, which may or May not mean something (I really don't know) lol

slonezp reply :

On 8/17/2014 at 10:15 PM, paulmandude said:

I actually asked him if I could premix. He said he wasn't sure if there was just a gas pump out there. It was apparent he was too busy to search online.

Also I think he is the owner or head mechanic of the place and is the one that worked on the boat. The receptionist always refers me to him and he says "I replaced such and such". He's a mercury/honda dealer but has always done good winterizing my johnson. I live by the ocean and this place is out a little way from the salt so I bring it there instead of the place on the ocean that is a certified evinrude/johnson. Lesson learned I suppose.

slonezp reply :

I went thru nightmares with an 88 Johnson VRO. Motor would start fine cold and it was hit or miss once it was hot. They replaced the pump 3 times along with other things. I wasted an entire summer driving back and forth to the dealer with the same problems. I finally took it somewhere else. The fuel filter was plugged. Boat ran great for a year and another VRO took a crap. I had it bypassed and sold the boat. The mechanic who diagnosed the fuel filter is still my mechanic today, almost 20 years later.

Crappiebasser reply :

On 8/17/2014 at 10:15 PM, paulmandude said:

I actually asked him if I could premix. He said he wasn't sure if there was just a gas pump out there. It was apparent he was too busy to search online.

Also I think he is the owner or head mechanic of the place and is the one that worked on the boat. The receptionist always refers me to him and he says "I replaced such and such". He's a mercury/honda dealer but has always done good winterizing my johnson. I live by the ocean and this place is out a little way from the salt so I bring it there instead of the place on the ocean that is a certified evinrude/johnson. Lesson learned I suppose.

Actually the VRO will pump fuel even if there is no oil going through it so there's no need for a "fuel only" pump. It's actually 2 pumps but it looks like one unit. All you have to do it cut the wires for the low oil alarm, plug the oil line, and premix the gas. If you ever actually need a fuel pump later on you can get one for an 88HP SPL. It's the same power head and didn't have oil injection.

I'm sorry it happened to you but consider it a hard lesson learned and find a good mechanic.

Tony L. reply :

On 8/17/2014 at 9:53 PM, flyfisher said:

so here is my take. He replaced the parts and did the labor so he should get paid. What he was wrong about was the diagnosis of the problem, so in that case i would not go back. I would bring it up and if they give you a discount fine and if not fine. Discount or not, I am pretty sure i would not be returning to that particular mechanic for any repairs or maintenance.

And who is to say the VRO wasn't needing to be replaced as well?

I agree. It REALLY sucks, but he ultimately provided a service (albeit the wrong one) and I don't think that he can be denied compensation after the fact. That would like seeing a doctor and going through the process of getting medications dialed in for a complicated health condition, but not paying until you hit the right combination after the first few attempts.

Back to your situation though-- this guy misdiagnosed it from the start. While you can't deny that he provided a service, I feel that it is certainly within your rights to ask your mechanic to knock some of the cost off your bill for his mistake (I'd like to think most people can be pretty reasonable) and likely start looking for someone else to use in the future.

On the plus side, at nearly 20 years old, there is a fair chance you would have needed to replace that VRO eventually anyways. You shouldn't need to worry about that now, and if you get a discount on your bill, you will have gotten a good deal for it.

I'm really sorry to hear about that situation. Best of luck!

speed craw reply :

The best thing at this point is to have an open mind . Calm down , and simply go back and express your views with the manager or the owner and see what they have to offer . You never know what might have been done . In my automotive back vround this has happened before. I would always try to be reasonable , most ofen working it out or possibly giving in store credit . Which most people generously accepted as part of saying sorry how else can I help. Give them the opportunity to make it right then do what you have to.

WIGuide reply :

This guy sounds like joke of a mechanic. I don't care what type of dealership he works for, he should be able to fix it. If he's too ignorant to know that you can run them premixed and take the oil injection off , then how does he know enough to know when there's a problem with the VRO? I'd ask for a big time discount especially since he didn't actually fix the problem you took it in for. I'd also never go back there again and let your buddies know to not go there either.

joefish reply :

With that old of an engine you were living on borrowed time on the VRO anyway, but you should have been given the option of disabling and pre mixing. I would ask that the labor portion of the bill be written off and gladly pay for the parts, you did get them.

lmoore reply :

Couple things I'd like to add:

1) Mechanic was probably making an assumption with the VRO. They did have some problems (as some on here could tell you) but often it was an easy item to blame for a much larger issue. He probably looked at it as an easy scapegoat for what was wrong, rather than taking time to really find out.

2) Even if there was a VRO issue, the mechanic seriously overcharged to replace it. Evinrude cost for pump is $451.79 and replacing the VRO pump requires no extra parts, and at most 1 hour labor. I replaced mine when I bought my boat and it literally took 10-15 minutes. I would ask for a detailed description of charges. If an Evinrude certified mechanic did the work, they should have a specific labor time to follow and should have a more accurate cost for parts.

Amarley reply :

I'd ask for a 50% refund and settle for not paying labor.

Way2slow reply :

I doubt you can get out of paying the bill without getting taken to small claims court. You might be able to work out some kind of a discount, after all, you were seriously over charged, even though you were given a quote that you agreed to before the work was done. You've just learned why I say it a scary situation taking a motor in for repair, there are just not that many "good" mechanics.

This guy lost all credibility with the response he gave you when you asked about pre-mixing. FYI, to bypass the VRO, all you have to do is unplug the 4 or 5 pin connector going to it so it doesn't make the alarm sound and mix the oil in the tank at a 50:1 ratio. Just be sure you take one of the main jet plugs out of a carb and pump enough gas to get the pre-mixed through the system. Forgot to mention, don't forget to drain or remove the oil tank or it will double oil until the tanks is empty.

Now, with all this said, it was better, that you replaced yours than to continue running with it. The new one they installed is a CRO unit and are basically bullet proof, way more reliable than than the one you had. Plus, I personally think pre-mixing sucks, even though I have to with my modified motors.

Alonerankin2 reply :

Personally, I would strongly consider a claim Against that Mechanic, far too much incompetence in service and a real lack of mechanical/ Troubleshooting Skills and you/ people ...should not have to continue to foot the bill for this inability, file a complaint with the BBB and pursue a financial resolution.

ClackerBuzz reply :

On 8/19/2014 at 4:00 AM, joefish said:
With that old of an engine you were living on borrowed time on the VRO anyway, but you should have been given the option of disabling and pre mixing. I would ask that the labor portion of the bill be written off and gladly pay for the parts, you did get them.

x2. i would toss out a bunch of questions and initially put the ball in their court. it may work in ur favor b/c the guy may very well offer a labor discount.

scratch ur head and say... "i've never had something like this happen before. i really appreciate the new parts but what's ur policy when you complete labor/work that wasn't necessary? can i see a break down of the parts vs labor?"

if he doesn't automatically offer a discount say ur still very confused about how to handle the whole situation b/c it's never happened to you before. say "i just feel really uncomfortable paying for something that wasn't necessary especially since i still had to pay to have the real work done somewhere else. BUT you put in new parts so i definitely feel i owe you for them".

i'd go in calm and cautious first b/c you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. don't get hot till ur ready to burn down a bridge

paulmandude reply :

Thanks guys, I'm still waiting on the bill, the receptionist clearly told me it will come in the mail...this was before I found out the boat wasn't fixed though

Maxximus Redneckus reply :

This is why I do it myself with my buddy...matter of fact all motor work is me and my buddy.truck, car, mower etc.I dont trust no-one .25 yrs ago learned my lesson. Brake jobs shouldn't cost 800 bucks.I can do my vehicles in less then 30 mins and 25 bucks...to the OP dont pay it this is the same stuff they do to ppl with cars/trucks its called f$@÷KIN you without pullin your hair

flyfisher reply :

you guys are a little harsh if you ask me. The guy took it in because he couldn't do the repair or figure it out. The mechanic performed the work and should be paid. for the amount of time involved and what he was charged for the parts it seems reasonable to me to pay the $800 dollars too...yeah the part was more expensive but it always is when you get it from a mechanic and then there is diagnosis and labor to replace the part. Who is to say the part didn't need replacing as well? now to be fair, i probably wouldn't use the guy again but i would also know that the VRO should be good for a long time.

And any brake job that costs $800 is ridiculous and if you are doing your own brake for $20 you must have some pretty crappy pads you are using and not talking about replacing rotors or getting them turned if needed.

Alonerankin2 reply :

Uhh, what did the first dealership fix? Nothing! Part swapping and charging because of incompetence is no excuse.

flyfisher reply :

do you know that the VRO wasn't also a problem?

Alonerankin2 reply :

Do you?

flyfisher reply :

nope but on a 20 year old motor it is possible, and i would say and not beyond the realm of possibility. Does that make sense to you?

Ratherbfishing reply :

To me the "reasonable" fee would be cost of parts but no labor. He hadn't fixed it.

lmoore reply :

Perhaps I'm just spoiled. But I've never had to use a mechanic that couldn't tell me exactly why something needed to be done. My current boat mechanic has always asked me if I would drop by so he could show me exactly what he was seeing. At the very least, I would expect him to tell you why he thought the VRO pump should be replaced.

slonezp reply :

What happens here if he doesn't pay the bill, justified or not. Mechanic keeps the boat. Chalk it up to an expensive lesson learned and find a better wrench.

Maxximus Redneckus reply :

Flyfisher brake pads are only 25 bucks lifetime warranty. Rotors discs 30 total junk yard.like I say I don't trust anyone when money is involved.this isn't to O P but anyone complaining about labor and parts.you just got screwed

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Mis-Diagnose By Mechanic 2025

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