Does Impeller need to be changed to keep warranty valid(annual service)

[twofin]

I have a Mercury 250 Pro xs still under warranty. I have been changing the impeller during annual/yearly service in the past. Wondering if this is mandatory to keep the warranty valid or can you do it every other year like most seem to around here.

I use the boat fairly frequently, maybe 3 or 4 times a month on average with no long gaps betweeen use.

[EuropeanAM]

In a fishing application, I STRONGLY recommend ANNUAL water pump replacement. Fishing engines are often into some of the nastiest water (laden with sand, silt, pebbles, hydrilla, etc)... and the water pumps are really put to the test.

Remember- your engine's warranty covers "Defects in Materials and Workmanship"... and does NOT cover maintenance items.

Additionally, damage caused from "Abuse, Neglect, or Lack of Maintenance" is NOT covered under the engine's warranty.

[twofin]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by EuropeanAM &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">In a fishing application, I STRONGLY recommend ANNUAL water pump replacement. Fishing engines are often into some of the nastiest water (laden with sand, silt, pebbles, hydrilla, etc)... and the water pumps are really put to the test.

Remember- your engine's warranty covers "Defects in Materials and Workmanship"... and does NOT cover maintenance items.

Additionally, damage caused from "Abuse, Neglect, or Lack of Maintenance" is NOT covered under the engine's warranty.
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Thanks Don. My annual service costs around $700 and just looking for some cost savings if possible, but will continue to replace the impeller yearly with service.

[taeheel2az]

Not hard to do it yourself. There's a how to post about replacing wp in the stickies in this forum, also a youtube video.

Parts are a couple hundred or so for the annual maint.

[twofin]

I want to have certified mechanics do the maintenance at least while it is under warranty. I may start doing it myself once the warranty expires.

[EuropeanAM]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by twofin &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">


Thanks Don. My annual service costs around $700 and just looking for some cost savings if possible, but will continue to replace the impeller yearly with service.


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WOW. What's their labor rate?

[twofin]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by EuropeanAM &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">

WOW. What's their labor rate?


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I am not sure what their labor rate is, but based on past threads on this subject it must be greater than 50% more than the average. I am going to make a few calls to a couple other shops to see if that is just the going rate around here.
Some of the past threads where people were complaining about it costing in the $400 range made me realize I have been paying way higher than average.

[kelley10]

If it makes you feel any better, just got the bill today for my annual service on 250 Pro XS...$702 total bill. Labor rate was $110 per hour. Made me rethink what I should have chose for a career!

[Ka'King]

$549.86 for me...ordered parts from Don and had a local guy do the labor.

[twofin]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by kelley10 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">If it makes you feel any better, just got the bill today for my annual service on 250 Pro XS...$702 total bill. Labor rate was $110 per hour. Made me rethink what I should have chose for a career! </td></tr></table>

Thanks for the reply and it does help in the fact someone else is paying the same.

What is the parts / labor cost split? Are the parts just spark plugs, water pump impeller, filters & fluids?

[taeheel2az]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by kelley10 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">. . . Labor rate was $110 per hour. . . .</td></tr></table>

That's really the shop hour rate which includes all overhead and service department profit. That's typical for the Phoenix metropolitan area.

You can be sure no wrench puller makes that.

[jentrick]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by kelley10 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">If it makes you feel any better, just got the bill today for my annual service on 250 Pro XS...$702 total bill. Labor rate was $110 per hour. Made me rethink what I should have chose for a career! </td></tr></table>
You used Airport marine all other dealers rates are $75-$85 a hr.

[EuropeanAM]

Obviously, labor rates will vary, based on overhead. That being said, it's not uncommon for a WELL equipped shop (well trained techs, fully stocked tools, etc) to have a higher labor rate.

And parts pricing... and what is actually DONE during the service, also has a bearing on the cost.

We've always tried to "package" annual services into a special price, in an effort to save the customer money, and encourage them to actually service ALL items that are needed.

For example, an average V-6 Optimax service (including water pump components WITHOUT housing) is running $490-500 (as of the date of this post)- including items noted here:

http://www.bbcboards.net/zerot...gines