Hilton Outboard

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As a follow up to my earlier review, I found the following issues with the work done on my boat: 1.) Number 8 spark plug not connected. 2.) Bolts connecting out drive, one was loose, the other 5 not properly torqued. The torque varied from 18 to 21 ft lbs. Proper torque is 50 ft lbs. 3.) The coil installed was loose and not properly tightened. You could pull it out of the holder by hand. 4.) The exhaust riser were not properly torqued. 5.) The starbord exhaust flap they said they replaced and charged me$60 for was not replaced on the starbord side. 6.) The starbord riser gasket I was charged $38 for was not replaced. 7.) The distributor cap they replaced was loose. You could actulally wiggle it. Not going back....

Been going to Hilton for years. In the past they were extremely helpful and had great customer focus. Today however I don't see this is the case. I brought my boat in to the shop in early April and it took 1 month to have them "fix" it. Unfortunately they were unable to resolve this issue. I don't slight them though because ultimately the issue was a difficult one to isolate. I returned the boat to the shop early May, and then waited until early June for them to get to it again. Still not fixed. I returned the boat and asked that I not wait in line again which they did accommodate. Tried the boat again and it leaked. When I came back and told them the repair was leaking, I was told to tighten the hose clamps. No one in the shop seemed very concerned that their repair leaked. No apology, no offer to fix it, nothing. They simply were numb to the situation and just didn't care. With the change and customer focus and lack of repair quality; spark plugs not properly gapped, electrodes almost touching on one plug, very dirty greasy finger prints all over the boat, and just a completely apathetic response, I will not be returning. I personally like the people who work there, Ally, Kim and Charles (when he was there) and am said to not go back.

I went in looking for parts for an older outboard. The guy behind the counter said it was a waste of his time to find parts for older outboards. He would rather spend less time and make more money working with newer outboards. He suggested I look for parts myself on the internet. That advice was a good lesson for me. I have found other sources for parts and they are very helpful. I won't be returning to Hilton.

Hilton Outboard Repair put a rebuilt Mercruiser longblock in my boat last July. I was specific with the owner to repair whatever is needed as I boat with my Dad and Kids and breaking down on the sound is frightening for my young kids, very frustrating for me, and potentially dangerous. I broke down 1st day out after picking up my boat. I had my boat back to Hilton Outboard 3-times! I finally went to Lighthouse Marine and they fixed it right. This was a $10,000 nightmare. I spoke to Mercruiser where we purchased the longblock and they were very sympathetic to what happened when I went through the details. They and Lighthouse in Gig Harbor were surprised that among the many things overlooked, that Hilton put the old and broken oil sensor back on ( wired incorrectly as well) so I did not have an alarm. I never did have an alarm and didn't know I should have until Lighthouse replaced the sensor and explained that if I had had a warranty issue not having an alarm could have posed a problem. Mercruiser said the same. I could go on and on: milky water in the power steering reservoir, lower unit leaked oil everywhere. On the 2nd or 3rd visit she said we needed the yolk replaced, which we did. Lighthouse commented on the lower unit noise and pulled the lower unit and replaced the gimble bearings which were the original and worn. Amazing the noise that had always been therer was gone. When you replace the yolk you actually have the gimble bearing in your hand. The Hilton owner said is was OK when she replaced the Yolk. Her invoice and the Lighthouse invoice showed 13 hours had been put on the motor when Lighthouse replaced the gimble bearing. There is more! Call me with questions. Do not go to Hilton Outboard Repair. I am writing this so others can avoid my experience. Ryan 253-358-3082. I think my next stop will be small claims court.

Boat was in bad shape took it in got and estimate and was told a week to repair. Called me 4 days later said it was all fixed and came in under the estimate. Picked up the boat and took it out. It has never ran so good. I would highly recommend them The staff was very friendly and helpful. I wish I would have found them sooner. Thanks Allie at Hilton's!!!!!!

Having had just so-so performances by two other outboard services in the Tacoma area, I have been pleased with the work which has been done at Hiltons. My 1984 115 hpJphnson has had one problem or another about every 2-3 years. I have always had prompt and satisfactory service at Hiltons; even once during the height of the boating season mid -summer when, despite being very busy, they took my boat in and promptly fixed it. They may be little more expensive than some but I will continue to go there.

Service was sometimes rude and not honest took the boat into shop April 2011 Was given low quote and ended up costing 3x what was quoted. We picked the boat up a month later, took out 1 time and had to take it back, Boats were going in and out before we were given another quote, about 2 weeks after we dropped it off. Our boat was sitting there for almost a month and we were told the part they needed was on back order until next month, we asked another mercury repair shop and he found 5 of them he could get in 3 days.

I'am a retired auto tech that likes to tinker. Found Hilton outboard service to be extremly helpfull and knowledgeable in dealing with any problem I've incountered tring to repair my own outboard engines, And if I was unable to fix the problem they could fix it at a fair and reasonable price.

This is an outstanding repair shop. Deceptively innocent looking belies the fact that the technicians are factory trained, certified, and honest. There is not a better outboard repair shop in the country!