Carburetor advice

[Esgbradford]

He gave me an itemized list. On it were things like charging me 2 hours to "find a new carburetor" I called him a lying sack of sh%t on that one. I didn't even know about Moyer Marine at that time and it took me, a nobody, 10 minutes to find the right carburetor at Moyer Marine. I think I will post something on the BBB and Angies List about them. Will get the pics online tomorrow.

Two hours, really? Did he tell you, prior to researching how to get a new carb, that he would charge you on an hourly basis for doing the research?

I can just see it... "Well, your carburetor is broken, you'll need to replace it. Would you like me to get you a price quote on that?"
"Okay, how much will it be?"
... two hours later ...
"The cost will be $400 for a new carb. And, you owe me $200 for two hours of research time at $100/hr for giving you this price quote."

If you didn't agree to pay him for his time to give you a price quote, then you are not obligated to do so. I empathesize with you. He sounds shadey to me.

Eric
Aries Newport 27
Portland, OR

[Mark Millbauer]

Pamela,
I'm close (Enumclaw), boat is in Bremerton. I have spares and experience. Send me a message off line if you like. I will help if you like.

Mark

[Mo]

Good man Mark

Pamela,
Sounds like you have some help on the way there.

[lat 64]

Pam,
Welcome. This is not your average forum as you may have noticed. You can actually get useful information and no one is gonna make fun of newbies, and there is no limit to the number of questions you can ask.
Stay on with the gang here 'til you get it fixed.

If you are a janitor, then You have all the skills to fix this—you just need the right information. I'm sure you have unplugged some pretty bad things and this is just that only smaller and more delicate. If your carb is not a ball of corrosion yet, then I'm sure it can be saved. At least good enough for test running and diagnosis. Also, the gang will run up several good ideas that go into ignition and such. Chase each path of trouble methodically and take notes to keep track. Reporting here is a good way to keep track and get feedback.

I saved for years too to buy my boat. It burns my @3*% to hear about ripoff mechanics. I have a '68 Columbia 36 in Alaska. I'm waaaaaay out.

As the work progresses in the fuel system let me be the first to say "FIRE SAFETY"
OK, got that out there.
Run the fan and be careful when gas drips all over the place.

Cheers,

Russ


P.S.:
It's been a few years since I visited, but I remember Port Townsend was full of boat hippies and helpful types
Good on ya Mark

[ndutton]

Don't take it

Pam,

Here's what I would do with this 'mechanic':

Approach him and request a refund of anything paid beyond the original agreed-to price. He'll scoff at the idea of course. Then, let him know in return you're publishing your experience with him on the foremost Atomic 4 website in the world with his name, contact information and blow-by-blow details including price and his result for what you paid. If he doesn't see it differently, follow through. I'll be the first to contact him.

If he works for a company or through a boatyard or whoever referred him, I'd include them as well.

Whaddya got to lose?

Nice boat too.

edit: full disclosure
One of my many character flaws is how I react to getting burned. I'd certainly invest a little time in giving this guy a s#*t burger to chew on, he's earned it.

Of course, this shyster mechanic probably has a shyster attorney and a letter threatening a libel lawsuit will follow even though the truth is an absolute defense.

[Mo]

I'm in.

Neil,
I'm in.

[ndutton]

Yeah Mo, the line forms here.

Pam,
Consider the use of Private Messaging to disseminate the contact information to those who request it. That might solve the public nature of a libel issue.

[lat 64]

As courtesy to our sponsor I suppose we should take the positive, helpful tack on this forum. The Sailing Anarchy site would be for that broadside to the pirates.

[roadnsky]

Yeah Mo, the line forms here.

Gotta go with Neil on this. I'm in line too.
It really ticks me off what this guy pulled!

Feel free to PM me the info and I'm in...

[snowyegret]

Pictures are in my album

i have posted pictures of the engine in my album here. I labeled the album public. I hope that's all I have to do to allow you all to see them.

Pam

[roadnsky]

Pam-
Yep. That'll do it. We can look from there...

First glance:
Definitely a LATE model A4 with a Manual Fuel Pump.

[wmmulvey]

Carb rebuild

Pam,

Check out this web site.

Its a step by step rebuild with pic's

This carb is so easy to rebuild.

http://home.earthlink.net/~ultratom/carb_site/atomic_4_carb_rebuild.htm

Enjoy

Bill
Morgan 30
ESPA

[ndutton]

I appreciate Russ' point and agree that this is a positive forum. Problem is this guy ultimately gives A-4's a bad reputation, "My A-4 was running poorly, I spent $700 on carburetor repair by a professional mechanic and it's worse now than when I started."

The perception is A-4 carbs are unreliable and obscenely expensive to repair if they're repairable at all. Of course we on this forum all know better. Unless we identify the real problem (in this case, the mechanic), the perception grows legs.

How many times have we heard the A-4 aka Atomic Bomb is one key turn away from exploding and no one in their right mind would ever own one?

First glance:
Definitely a LATE model A4 with a Manual Fuel Pump.

but I can't see where the fuel pump is connected to anything. The fuel line to the carb comes from somewhere above the engine.
Correction: the new pictures are clearer, now I see the manual pump connections. Also - points ignition.

[roadnsky]

Pam-
Hate to ask for this, but...
When you can, please take a few more shots on the PORT side of the engine.
(As you face AFT, the RIGHT side of the A4)

We'd like a few more shots of the CARB, FUEL PUMP and the FUEL HOSES.
(Attached are a couple of pics of what we'd like to see more of)

[snowyegret]

More Pictures

I will try to get back down there today. As I have told a couple of people in private messages, I just had surgery on my right shoulder. Its difficult for me to manuever, especially to the port side of the engine since my right shoulder is the one I just had surgery on. This is part of the reason I will find it so difficult to work on the carburetor. For the next 3 or 4 months, I am one armed. Rotator Cuff surgery. I don't think the carburetor is hooked up.