Suggestions needed for outboard mechanics

We headed out on Hyco this morning and after about 10-15 minutes at about 1/4 throttle the oil warning went off on my '96 Johnson 50hp. The boat is new to us this year. It has oil injection, which I had planned to do away with, but hadn't gotten to it yet.

So the horn went off and the lite flashed and I cut her off right away. I checked oil level, checked the primer bulb, cranked it back up and within a minute got the horn again. At that point I shut it down and put the TM in the water.

My first thought is to disable the oiler, mix the gas and try again .......... but as I say it's new to us and with a family vacation coming up next month I would rather just have a good mechanic check it out, tune it up and get it back in good running order.
The deal is I don't know anyone personally in this area and would rather work with someone with a good reputation. I've heard some horror stories about 1 or 2 shops in this area.
Greensboro, Martinsville, Danville Burlington, Hillsboro, Durham all are within range, if any of you can offer a recomendation it would be greatly appreciated.

I know two, but they are in lexington, would you be willing to come that far?

just block off the vro and mix your own gas 50:1 and you wont have a problem. or pay to have it fixed @ around $60 a hour plus parts. i havent found a reasonable marine mechanic yet and i do all of my work myself.

browns marine burlington

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Originally Posted by mac crappie

browns marine burlington

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I'll second that.

I forgot what the little box is called that is basically the "brain" of all those alarms. I had one go out on 150 Mariner one time.....not cheap. Nothing was actually wrong with anything on the boat other than that sensor or whatever it is had failed. Very easy to install myself but not a cheap part to order. I found the best deal from Chatlee in Sanford. They shipped it to me and after inspection I realized I could put it on myself and save some money. Not saying that's your problem just relaying my story about alarms going off.

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Originally Posted by Rapala#1

I know two, but they are in lexington, would you be willing to come that far?

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Appreciate it, but that would be a pretty long haul.

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Originally Posted by miichael

just block off the vro and mix your own gas 50:1 and you wont have a problem. or pay to have it fixed @ around $60 a hour plus parts. i havent found a reasonable marine mechanic yet and i do all of my work myself.

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That was my first thought, but not being very familiar with this engine (I've only put about 15-20 hrs on it) I want to be sure there's nothing else wrong.

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Originally Posted by mac crappie

browns marine burlington

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Thanks Mac & alamancecreek .... I'm gonna give them a call this morning.

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Originally Posted by alamancecreek

I forgot what the little box is called that is basically the "brain" of all those alarms. I had one go out on 150 Mariner one time.....not cheap. Nothing was actually wrong with anything on the boat other than that sensor or whatever it is had failed. Very easy to install myself but not a cheap part to order. I found the best deal from Chatlee in Sanford. They shipped it to me and after inspection I realized I could put it on myself and save some money. Not saying that's your problem just relaying my story about alarms going off.

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Expensive part or not I hope it's that sort of non-problem. Thanks

I really appreciate the reply fellows.
Dave

Southside Marine in Clarksville does an excellent job. Ed Brown and his wife own the shop and there is one other mechanic on duty. They are very good at what they do and have an excellent reputation. Also I sent you a PM. FB

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Originally Posted by Fishbud

Southside Marine in Clarksville does an excellent job. Ed Brown and his wife own the shop and there is one other mechanic on duty. They are very good at what they do and have an excellent reputation. Also I sent you a PM. FB

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Thanks FB, I think I'm gonna try Brown's in Burlington(gonna talk to them first). The extra drive to Clarksville would add $60+ with gas prices as they are. It's good to know about them though, in case we have trouble on the lake next month. If things don't go as expected with Brown's though I might take it on to Clarksville and just leave it 'till we head down for vacation.

At first glance $60 an hour seems expensive, but considering it takes $70 to fill up the Mariner and almost a full tank to get to Buggs and back, $60 an hour doesn't sound that bad.

i dont think they are open on mon. i have # for them 3362295784.

thanks mac .... I'll give 'em a call tomorrow morning