I have a 2003 Yamaha XLT 800 that has had the engine completely replaced in 2012. I bought it from a private party. I took my jet ski to Full Throttle GA because it would not start. I did some research online and replaced the spark plugs and added a new battery. It still work not turn over. I did more research and learned I probably needed to have the carbs cleaned. So I took it to Auther and told him what was going on. I stated I replaced the battery and spark plugs and did online research suggesting I needed the carbs cleaned and to basically get it running and ready for the beach because I was taking it down to the beach for my family to enjoy it over the fourth holiday weekend. He said ok and that he would take care of it. I took this jet ski in on Saturday, June 27 2015. After paying over $400 to have the carbs cleaned, he also stated I need to have the steering wiring replaced and he charged for diagnostics. I picked it up on July 1, 2015.
I get to the beach all excited about sharing the jet ski with the family only to be disappointed. The jet ski would not go past 20 mph before cutting off. Needless to say, I took it back to him on July 18th and told him he didn't fix anything other than making sure it "turned on". He said he did what I asked. He is the mechanic and should have made sure it was running and not just turning over. He probably did work that I didn't need. I called 2 other marine mechanics and they said that he should have checked to see if the carbs needed to be re-built when he cleaned them. Both mechanics said you can tell if it needs to be re-built when you clean them. So, when I took it back and told him it was not fixed. He stated he would have to charge me $75 to take it out on the lake to see what I was talking about because he had never heard of the issue I was having - I checked with the other mechanics and they stated it was a very common issue. Again, a rip-off. he should have taken it out or something to make sure it would run and not just simply turn over. So I said ok he could take it out on the lake. He never called me back to let me know what he found out, I had to call him and he stated I needed the carbs rebuilt and a new wear ring and the total would be $1350. Again, I called the same mechanics back and they laughed. They said that was way over priced. So I called Arthur back and said not to do any work and that I would be back to pick it up.
He was not cool about his work and was rude. Then again, I was rude right back to him accusing him of bad business practices and ripping me off. He said no one takes a car or boat or jet ski out to make sure the repairs work. I knew right there he was full of it ... I have never taken my car in and not have a mechanice drive it around a block or somthingt to make sure all is good. His business is right there close to Lake Allatoona.
I am going with a mechanic who is honest and will work on my jet ski to get it running properly. I am being charged only $500 to have my carbs rebuilt and he said he would look at the wear ring to see if it needed replacing stating that if it did that it would be less than $150. So ... 1350 to go to Arthur or 650 to go to an honest mechanic. The decision was easy.
I would NEVER recommend using Full Throttle GA as they overcharge you and do what they can to rip you off by fixing one thing and making you come back for more repairs. Also, I honestly don't think there was anything wrong with the steering wiring as it had just been replace 3 summers earler and never was an issue.
Full Throttle Reviews
I have a 2003 Yamaha XLT 800 that has had the engine completely replaced in 2012. I bought it from a private party. I took my jet ski to Full Throttle GA because it would not start. I did some research online and replaced the spark plugs and added a new battery. It still work not turn over. I did more research and learned I probably needed to have the carbs cleaned. So I took it to Auther and told him what was going on. I stated I replaced the battery and spark plugs and did online research suggesting I needed the carbs cleaned and to basically get it running and ready for the beach because I was taking it down to the beach for my family to enjoy it over the fourth holiday weekend. He said ok and that he would take care of it. I took this jet ski in on Saturday, June 27 2015. After paying over $400 to have the carbs cleaned, he also stated I need to have the steering wiring replaced and he charged for diagnostics. I picked it up on July 1, 2015.
I get to the beach all excited about sharing the jet ski with the family only to be disappointed. The jet ski would not go past 20 mph before cutting off. Needless to say, I took it back to him on July 18th and told him he didn't fix anything other than making sure it "turned on". He said he did what I asked. He is the mechanic and should have made sure it was running and not just turning over. He probably did work that I didn't need. I called 2 other marine mechanics and they said that he should have checked to see if the carbs needed to be re-built when he cleaned them. Both mechanics said you can tell if it needs to be re-built when you clean them. So, when I took it back and told him it was not fixed. He stated he would have to charge me $75 to take it out on the lake to see what I was talking about because he had never heard of the issue I was having - I checked with the other mechanics and they stated it was a very common issue. Again, a rip-off. he should have taken it out or something to make sure it would run and not just simply turn over. So I said ok he could take it out on the lake. He never called me back to let me know what he found out, I had to call him and he stated I needed the carbs rebuilt and a new wear ring and the total would be $1350. Again, I called the same mechanics back and they laughed. They said that was way over priced. So I called Arthur back and said not to do any work and that I would be back to pick it up.
He was not cool about his work and was rude. Then again, I was rude right back to him accusing him of bad business practices and ripping me off. He said no one takes a car or boat or jet ski out to make sure the repairs work. I knew right there he was full of it ... I have never taken my car in and not have a mechanice drive it around a block or somthingt to make sure all is good. His business is right there close to Lake Allatoona.
I am going with a mechanic who is honest and will work on my jet ski to get it running properly. I am being charged only $500 to have my carbs rebuilt and he said he would look at the wear ring to see if it needed replacing stating that if it did that it would be less than $150. So ... 1350 to go to Arthur or 650 to go to an honest mechanic. The decision was easy.
I would NEVER recommend using Full Throttle GA as they overcharge you and do what they can to rip you off by fixing one thing and making you come back for more repairs. Also, I honestly don't think there was anything wrong with the steering wiring as it had just been replace 3 summers earler and never was an issue.