Gasoline Engine
Gasoline outboard and inboard boat engine rebuilds in Long Beach: diagnosis, teardown, new internals and a test run. Request a quote.
- 5 services
- Labor $150/hr
- Trip fee from $30
- At your slip or in the shop
Gasoline Boat Engine Rebuilds in Long Beach and Los Angeles
We rebuild gasoline boat engines, from outboards on center consoles to inboards and sterndrives on ski boats and cruisers. We work at your slip, dock or storage yard from Marina del Rey to Newport Beach, or at our San Pedro shop.
What the work covers
A gasoline engine rebuild starts with teardown, inspection and measurement. We replace the worn parts or send them to a machine shop we work with for machining, then put the engine back together with new gaskets and seals. Parts, machine-shop work and any crane or haul-out needed to take the engine out are listed on your written estimate.
- Outboards: a gasoline outboard rebuild for Mercury and Yamaha engines. When the block is badly damaged, a powerhead swap with a remanufactured powerhead is the other option.
- Inboards and sterndrives: a gasoline inboard rebuild for MerCruiser, Indmar and Volvo Penta engines.
- Cylinder heads: cylinder head machining and a valve job at a machine shop we work with, to bring back valve sealing and compression.
Signs a gas engine needs a rebuild
- Low compression on one or more cylinders
- Blue smoke, oily spark plugs or rising oil use
- A knock that gets louder under load
- Milky oil, or water on the spark plugs
- Lost top speed that a tune-up does not fix
Questions about gasoline engine rebuilds
Can an engine be saved after water got inside?
Often it can, if the water is found early. In salt water, a failed exhaust manifold or riser is a common way in. Water left in the cylinders rusts rings, valves and bearings, so the sooner the engine is opened up, the more of it can be saved. See exhaust manifold and riser repair.
Is a top-end job enough, or do I need a full rebuild?
If low compression comes from the valves or a head gasket, cylinder head work may be enough. If the rings, cylinders or bearings are worn, a full rebuild is the lasting repair. A compression test and inspection show which one your engine needs, and we quote it before any work is done.
Book a visit: submit a ticket with the boat, where it is kept and what the engine is doing, or call (562) 542-7296.
See also: gas inboard losing power compression smoke and rebuild signs.
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#218 Common question asks
What if the starter engages but the engine will not turn at all?
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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.
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#216 Common question asks
Can you bring back a diesel engine that has been sitting for years?
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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.
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#214 Common question asks
Can the overhaul be done with the boat at my dock?
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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.
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#212 Common question asks
Do you check the cooling system during an overhaul?
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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.
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#210 Common question asks
How much does a diesel engine overhaul cost?
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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.
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#208 Common question asks
What is the difference between repairing a diesel engine and rebuilding it?
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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.
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#206 Common question asks
Should I rebuild or repower my diesel engine?
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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.
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