Should I rebuild or repower my diesel engine?

It depends on the engine's condition, its hours and what parts for it cost. We check compression, the fuel and cooling systems and the oil, then give you a written estimate for each option, so you can compare a rebuild with a replacement engine before anything is done.

What is the difference between repairing a diesel engine and rebuilding it?

A repair fixes the part that failed, such as an injector, a pump or a gasket. A rebuild takes the engine apart and renews its worn internal parts, such as rings, bearings and gaskets, with any machining done by a machine shop. We tell you which one your engine needs after the diagnosis, with a written estimate.

How much does a diesel engine overhaul cost?

Labor is $150 an hour, plus parts and the trip fee for work at your boat. A diagnosis is at least $300 for each engine; then you get a written estimate for the repair, and nothing is done without your OK.

Do you check the cooling system during an overhaul?

Yes. Overheating is often caused by a clogged raw-water intake or strainer, a worn impeller or a stuck thermostat. We check the whole cooling system, find the cause and quote the repair before we do it.

Can the overhaul be done with the boat at my dock?

Yes. Whether your boat is in the water or on a trailer, we come to you in San Pedro, Wilmington, Long Beach, Redondo Beach, Seal Beach, Huntington Harbour, Marina del Rey and Newport Beach; farther places on request. Each visit has a one-way trip fee by distance, from $30 in San Pedro to $110 in Newport Beach.

Can you bring back a diesel engine that has been sitting for years?

Often, yes. We start with a compression test and a check of the fuel, starting and cooling systems, then tell you what can be repaired and what needs replacing, with a written estimate. Old fuel is drained and disposed of, and the fuel system cleaned, before the engine is started.

What if the starter engages but the engine will not turn at all?

That usually points to a weak battery or a poor connection, a starter that has failed, or an engine that is seized or has water in a cylinder. Do not keep cranking it: we test the batteries, cables and starter and check whether the engine turns by hand, then give you a written estimate for the repair.

Rebuild Gasoline Inboard Engine– Restore Power and Engine Reliability

Gasoline inboard and sterndrive engine rebuilds in Long Beach and San Pedro for MerCruiser, Indmar and Volvo Penta engines. We start with a compression test and inspection, check the exhaust and cooling parts that often cause the damage, and quote the rebuild before any work is done.

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$150 /hr

Labor estimate Quoted after inspection

Book sends us a ticket; nothing is charged online. Before any work you get a written estimate for labor, parts and the trip fee, and nothing is done without your OK.

Trip fee By distance, one way: $30 in San Pedro, $50 in Long Beach

San Pedro$30
Wilmington, Terminal Island$40
Long Beach: Shoreline, Rainbow Harbor$50
Long Beach Marina, Alamitos Bay$60
Redondo Beach$60
Seal Beach, Huntington Harbour$75
Marina del Rey$85
Newport Beach$110

Farther away: $25 plus $2.50 a mile, one way from our San Pedro shop. No trip fee when the boat comes to our shop, or for plan members. The work of a visit is at least $150; the trip fee is on top.

Registered in California: Breeze Marine Boat Service LLC, San Pedro
Where we work: At your slip from Marina del Rey to Newport Beach, or in our San Pedro shop
Questions first: (213) 693-0224 or submit a ticket

About this service

Gasoline Inboard Engine Rebuild in Long Beach and San Pedro

When a gas inboard or sterndrive engine, such as a MerCruiser, Indmar or Volvo Penta, has lost compression, taken on water or worn out with hours, we rebuild it. We check the engine first at your slip, dock or storage yard from Marina del Rey to Newport Beach, or at our San Pedro shop.

What the work covers

We start with a compression test and a look at the oil, spark plugs, cooling and exhaust, and quote the rebuild before any work is done. Then:

Teardown: the engine comes out of the boat, and we inspect and measure the block, crankshaft, cylinder heads and valve train.
Machine work: worn cylinders get engine block boring and honing, and heads with leaking valves get cylinder head machining and a valve job, done by a machine shop we work with; their charge is listed on your estimate.
Reassembly: new rings, bearings, gaskets and seals, plus pistons, timing parts and an oil pump as needed. Parts are quoted with the job.
Around the engine: we check the water pumps, hoses and motor mounts, since a failed part there can damage the rebuilt engine.
Start-up: we install and align the engine, run it and go over the break-in steps your engine maker gives.

Signs a rebuild is due

Sluggish acceleration and lost top-end power
Rising oil use, or blue smoke at the exhaust
A compression test that shows weak cylinders
Water in the oil or on the spark plugs
Metal flakes in the oil or filter

Questions about inboard engine rebuilds

How do you know the engine is worth rebuilding?

The check before teardown shows a lot, and the measurements during it show the rest. If the block or crankshaft is cracked or worn past machining, we stop and talk it through with you first.

Why check the exhaust during a rebuild?

In salt water, a corroded riser or manifold is a common way for water to reach the cylinders. Old exhaust parts can put a freshly rebuilt engine at the same risk, so we check them and quote any exhaust manifold and riser repair with the job.

Book a visit: submit a ticket with the boat, the engine make and model, its hours, any history of overheating or water getting in, and where it is kept, or call (213) 693-0224.