Outboard Engine
Outboard motor rebuild and repair in Long Beach and San Pedro: powerheads, lower units, fuel and ignition. Mobile service at your slip. Get a quote.
- 3 services
- Labor $150/hr
- Trip fee from $30
- At your slip or in the shop
Outboard Engine Rebuilds in Long Beach and San Pedro
We rebuild gasoline outboard engines, including Mercury and Yamaha, for boat owners from Marina del Rey to Newport Beach. We work at your slip, dock or storage yard, or at our San Pedro shop.
What the work covers
An outboard engine rebuild means taking the powerhead apart, measuring the cylinders, pistons, crankshaft and bearings, and replacing what is worn or having it machined at a machine shop we work with. It goes back together with new gaskets and seals. Parts, machine-shop work and any crane or haul-out needed are listed on your written estimate.
- Head work: on four-stroke outboards, cylinder head machining and a valve job, done at a machine shop we work with, bring back valve sealing and compression.
- Powerhead swap: when the block or crankshaft is badly damaged, a powerhead swap with a remanufactured powerhead can make more sense than a rebuild.
- The cause: overheating and fuel problems often lead to powerhead damage, so it makes sense to check the water pump, thermostats and fuel system before the motor goes back to work.
Signs your outboard may need a rebuild
- Low or uneven compression between cylinders
- Rough running after an overheat alarm
- Knocking or rattling from the powerhead
- Metal flakes or milky oil on a four-stroke
- A weak cylinder after the plugs and ignition check out
Questions about outboard rebuilds
How do you choose between a rebuild and a powerhead swap?
We start with a compression test and a look inside. If the block and crankshaft are sound, a rebuild often makes sense. If they are badly damaged, a remanufactured powerhead can be the better fit. Either way, you get a quote before any work is done.
How do I protect a rebuilt outboard?
Follow your engine maker's break-in steps and service intervals. Check the tell-tale stream each time you start the motor, and replace the water pump impeller on schedule, since overheating is a common cause of powerhead damage.
Book a visit: submit a ticket with the boat, where it is kept and what the motor is doing, or call (562) 542-7296.
See also: inside a gasoline outboard rebuild steps parts and break in.
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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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