Yanmar Mechanics Southern Maine

[gfuller]

I'm not trying to bash any particular service provider so I'm not going to mention any names, but rather, my experience so far. I would also welcome some recommendations as well if any of you locals happen to have them!

Basically, I'm just trying to have the 1250hr work done on my 6LP-STE which is the timing belt, valves, heat exchanger cleaning etc...

I went back and forth with a Yanmar certified service provider out of Portland for about a month. It started with them coming out to see the boat, telling me they needed at least 3" clearance from the main pulley to the gas tank (completely understandable), saying I needed to pull the engine to get this clearance unless I could move the fuel tank back (which I did the same day they came to see the boat). I had it all ready to go and called the mechanic to hopefully get something on the books (this had been going on for about 3 weeks at this point, trying to get a quote and have them come see the boat). The next and last time I spoke with them, it was suggested that I just pop the cover and visually inspect the timing belt to see if it looked worn and run it another season if it looked ok. Clearly, they did not want to do the work so I said "sure" and that was that.

Moving on... About 1.5 weeks ago I contact another certified Yanmar dealer/service center out of Yarmouth. They sent a very nice gentleman out to check the boat out. He was very knowledgeable and helpful and stated how well the engine looked etc... and showed me things to look for in the future. The initial quote was for 19 hours of work (timing belt and heat exchanger cleaning) plus potentially another 4 hours of work if they were to run barnacle buster through the raw water cooling system afterward. This came to over $3200. I said to wait on the heat exchanger cleaning as I can do that myself and certainly not the barnacle buster flush as that is ridiculous to pay $400 in labor for that!

So a few days later I'm still waiting on the second quote I've been promised a couple days ago and considering looking elsewhere to just get on the calendar. I'm planning on launching in 2 weeks and am getting a little frustrated wasting so much time with these people.

Anyone have any suggestions of a GOOD service provider for Yanmar in the area?

[TorreyWP]

Any luck finding someone to help so far? I know this thread is a couple weeks old and Im sure everyone there is getting busy quickly.

The services you are seeking seem reasonable for the time on the engine, if possible I would not compromise on the list. Full disclosure; as a young professional mechanic, I felt slightly obligated to chime in here; visual inspection of belts is not uncommon but a belt as critical as the timing belt, this visual inspection is not suitable. Yanmar dictates service intervals for parts like this for a reason. Belt breaks underway = dead in the water.

I have a few connection in Portland/Cape Elizabeth/Scarborough area, send me an email or pm if I can help.

Best,
Torrey

[gfuller]

Torrey - I really wish I had seen this earlier. Please see my post of my recent experience here and feel free to comment:

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=10057

And yes - I'll definitely be looking for someone reasonable.

Casco Bay diesel's estimate was about $1000, south port marine was $900. Of course, I found this out after.

This was just for timing belt of course. I did all the other service myself including pulling the ends off all the heat exchangers, rydlyme flush etc... Took a couple of hours for me to do it by myself and this was the first time. I'll do the timing belt as well in a 1000 hours as that was pretty darn straight forward.

[Lobstabuoy]

Have any of you guys worked with Portland Yacht Services? I hear they have a reputable diesel mechanic....

[catalina_mike]

Torrey - I really wish I had seen this earlier. Please see my post of my recent experience here and feel free to comment:

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=10057

And yes - I'll definitely be looking for someone reasonable.

Casco Bay diesel's estimate was about $1000, south port marine was $900. Of course, I found this out after.

This was just for timing belt of course. I did all the other service myself including pulling the ends off all the heat exchangers, rydlyme flush etc... Took a couple of hours for me to do it by myself and this was the first time. I'll do the timing belt as well in a 1000 hours as that was pretty darn straight forward.

Replace the idler as well. The valve timing adjustment is also part of that recommended service interval.