Conference vicki::boats

      
  I would suggest you not try this without  a manual
    
    Try your public library, or you may be able to order one from a
    local bookstore. Both Chilton and Clymer's publish manuals. try
    your local Volvo dealer- he may be able to get you a factory manual
    at a ridiuculous price.
    
    Almost all the mail order houses carry a complete line of manuals
    ususally Chilton's or Clymer's. 
    
    If you know anyone who has a J.C. whitney automotive catalogue, they
    carry them also.
    
    
     Some mail order houses which I unfortunately don't have adresses
    for handy are:
    
    Bliss Marine
    E&B MARINE
    Overton's
    Defender Industries ( lousy on service, best selection and prices-
    service is lousy because they don't takke plastic
    
    
    Goldberg's  Marine
    330 Oregon Ave
    Phila PA. 19147-0597 phone: 800-BOATING
                 
                                                  
    
    
    
    
      
    

    
    Hi Dave,
             I found a Warehouse Outlet in the Off-Shore magazine. 
             They carry a huge inventory of outdrives, motors, trim
             cylinders, trim pumps, startes, alternators, manifolds,
             etc.  Their prices are super, I know they stock OMC and
             MERC, don't know about VOLVO but they may be worth calling.
    
             Doug Russell's Warehouse Sales
             Rt # 20 Worcester,Mass. 01604
             Tel. 508-753-4917
             Fax# 508-753-8992
    
             BTW: Where do you keep your boat.  PeterK and I have been
                  going out on his boat Gutsy II from Beverly harbor
                  quite a bit this past season for fishing.  Give me
                  a shout next May and we can 'hook up'.  I keep my
                  boat in Cotuit Buzzards Bay side if you ever want
                  to try some fishing off the Vineyard or Nantucket
                  let me know!!!
    
                  Capt. Steve  Venture To
    

              -< Repairing a Volvo 290 Outdrive Hydraulic line? >-

			A lesson I'll not forget...

	Well after purchasing the shop manuals on my outdrive, studing them
in detail and then purchasing the parts lists not included in the manuals, I
decided I'd bite the bullet and have a "Authorized Volvo Penta Dealer" do the
work...I bit the bullet alright !!!  I thought I'd share with you fellow
boaters out there the benefit of my experience (censorship keeps me from
choosing more appropriate words!!).

	First a little background...From the base note you know what my
original problem was, a blown power trim hydraulic hose...After careful
review of my owners and shop manuals I determined it was about time to have
all the associated rubber components on both outdrives replaced.  It was also
a strong suggestion on the part of "Curtis Engine" in Newburyport Ma. as they
were my chosen "authorized dealer".  Convienently located just 1 mile down the
street from the boat and I've had success with them when Volvo was footing the
bill...

	I decided to have the work done in early March and after many calls
and visits asking why it hadn't been done yet, the job was finally done.  The
labor charge for the total job was $180.00 for about 6 hours work in the back
yard about a mile from their place of business.  The labor charge is not my
objection...(I think that's a fair price for 6 hours work)?  The job is
described as follows:

	"Remove and Replace both 290 outdrives, replace hydaulic lift hoses,
	 Transom zincs, exhaust bellows, water intake hoses and the ujoint
	 bellows"

	MY PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THE COST OF PARTS !!!!!  THE FOLLOWING IS THE
PART RECEIPT:

QUANTITY  DESCRIPTION			PRICE/EACH	TOTAL AMOUNT
________  ___________			__________	____________
				
2	  853708-HYDRALIC HOSES		$73.48		$146.96
2	  853709-4 "        "     	$73.48		$146.96
2	  8758476 WATER HOSE KIT	$31.59		$ 63.18
2	  875826-0 UJOINT BELLOW  	$48.64		$ 97.28
2	  875848-4 EXHAUST BELLOWS 	$46.82		$ 93.64
2	  852835-8 TRANSON ZINCS	$24.07		$ 48.14
4	  853223-6 DRIVE HANGING BUSHNG	$ 3.11		$  6.42
							-------
		O U C H  T H I S  H U R T S !!!!!	$639.45


	My question to you experts out there is - How badly did I get raped?
They gave me all the old part as a keep sake and I'm not questioning the fact
that they needed replacement, my problem is the cost of the parts !!!  Now I'm
not new to boating and I know that anything marine costS at least 3 times what
it's worth, but I can't believe I haven't been taken advantage of here.

	Now I can expect to have to do this all over again is about 3 years..
I plan to figure out a way to do it myself and to get the parts somewhere else
even if I have to have them fabricated - it's still got to be cheaper.  I'd
appreciate any/all of your comments !!

Regards,
Dave "Harpoonist"

    
    re: Dave,
    
    	I think you answered your own question......
    
>    2	  853708-HYDRALIC HOSES		$73.48		$146.96
> Now I'm not new to boating and I know that anything marine costS 
>    at least 3 times what

    	I could see the "normal" price for 1 hyraulic hose adding
    up to around 25 bucks!
    
    Rick

.3: 

Not that is helps, but keep in mind the economics of the situation.
Marine engines and their parts are manufactured in low volume. Low
volume production is high cost production. Then the parts are shipped to
the US importer, then to a distributor, and then to the dealer, each of
whom must make a profit. Then the dealer carries the parts in inventory,
and must make a return on that investment. Years ago I worked for a
motorcycle dealer. The pricing policy was simple -- the retail price at
the dealer was double the price the dealer paid the factory distributor.
And these were fairly high volume parts that didn't stay in inventory
long. And the parts pricing is paying the salaries of the folks who
stand behind the parts counter and the folks who do all the ordering
paperwork. These people get paid whether or not you come in to buy
parts. The diesel engine in my boat was built in England and is not
imported or sold in the US any longer. The last time I asked, a new fuel
injector was about $120 and a new piston about $400! Some essential
parts (like fuel injector nozzles) are not even stocked in the US. 
Given your dealer's very fair labor prices, my initial assumption would 
be that he isn't gouging you on parts prices. Finally, doesn't Volvo 
have a reputation for very expensive parts?

    first off, i'll agree that the labor rate was very good.
    but anytime you buy factory to dealer, or original replacements
    LOOK OUT. they tend to be very expensive. as for your hydraulic
    lines, you could have taken them off, and brought them somewhere
    to be made. as for the other parts, there must be after-market
    look alikes, for example BARR makes manifolds, and other engine
    exhaust parts, for all types of engine applications, and they
    are usually much less expensive. 
    
    BOTTOM LINE, seems the dealer was pretty fair to you for what
    he did, next time YOU-DO-IT-YOURSELF. Keep one thing in mind,
    there are parts you may only be able to go to the dealer for,
    but thats life.
    
    youdidn'tgetscerewed,
    
    jim.

	Well it happened again - blown hydralic line on my 290 powertrim after
just 2 seasons use!!!!  Just wanted to let you folks out there know that Volvo
has finally redesigned the lines to eliminate the sharp bend in the rubber.
The new lines I just had put in (I haven't seen the bill yet) have been
moderfied so that the sharp bend is included in the metal tube thats now on the
rubber hose.  Now the rubber hose is almost straight and the sharp bending is
done in metal tubing.  Hopefully this fixes the problem and I won't have to
repair it a third time in a couple of years.

I can't wait to see the bill!! - I whimped out even with the shop manuals and
decided to pay the yard to do the work.....

Dave "Harpoonist"