1987 Evinrude 90 HP V4 is it worth to rebuild it

muledeer

Cadet
Joined
Jul 12, 2009
Messages
22
I might have a chance to buy this motor for $400.00 - $600.00 ... compression is low on all 4 cyl between 50-70. It does run.
motor is clean,tilt and trim work.should I or not
Thanks
 

LiLGrady17

Seaman
Joined
May 1, 2008
Messages
67
Re: 1987 Evinrude 90 HP V4 is it worth to rebuild it

Depending on where you are located, you should search how much will the rebuild go for and use that in your decision making. Being it runs, its a good thing cause it shows the powerhead is functioning.. Check if it engages in gear, forward & reverse, then check the lower unit oil for 'glitter' or water contamination to see if they need attention as well..The more you can personally do mechanically for the rebuild, the more reasonable/cost effective the rebuild route will be.. If this is a Freshwater used motor, I'd lean even more toward rebuilding it.. Saltwater used, the corrosion is no joke, some of my engine's bolts are rusty, rounded terds, and if I needed to get them loose, it will be a nightmare..
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: 1987 Evinrude 90 HP V4 is it worth to rebuild it

$400.00 - $600.00 too high. could be rebuild, could get lucky and free up ring with a decarb. could be as simple as a head gasket.
 

muledeer

Cadet
Joined
Jul 12, 2009
Messages
22
Re: 1987 Evinrude 90 HP V4 is it worth to rebuild it

To rebuild It parts would cost roughly $900.00 ... I would do the work myself.
Is it a good motor? or would i be better off finding something else.I presently have a 1977 70 evinrude that runs good.
Thanks
 

bob johnson

Rear Admiral
Joined
Feb 25, 2009
Messages
4,306
Re: 1987 Evinrude 90 HP V4 is it worth to rebuild it

guy around here rebuilds motors like that for about $2500.

for someone who already has the motor , it isnt a bad deal..you get a fresh motor with a warranty....

but even still if you buy anything else for 1500 to 2500 in cash...you dont know exactly what you are getting,...maybe something JUST about to go!!!

if you ahve never torn an old motor down , then it might be too big a project for you....can you deal with broken bolts in a block??

what about measuring everythign to figure if it is in spec?? you got all the tools needed?

you need to figure all the parts to replace... and all then one to reuse...

once you have done a bunch it gets easier...

first time has to be a huge project for most people

good luck

bob
 

Viper1314

Cadet
Joined
Jul 23, 2009
Messages
27
Re: 1987 Evinrude 90 HP V4 is it worth to rebuild it

Depending on where you are located, you should search how much will the rebuild go for and use that in your decision making. Being it runs, its a good thing cause it shows the powerhead is functioning.. Check if it engages in gear, forward & reverse, then check the lower unit oil for 'glitter' or water contamination to see if they need attention as well..The more you can personally do mechanically for the rebuild, the more reasonable/cost effective the rebuild route will be.. If this is a Freshwater used motor, I'd lean even more toward rebuilding it.. Saltwater used, the corrosion is no joke, some of my engine's bolts are rusty, rounded terds, and if I needed to get them loose, it will be a nightmare..

I am getting the "Glitter" affect. Ive got a 1982 75 hp Evinrude. It runs great out of the water with muffs on and throught all gears forward and reverse. Then...I put it in the water and Its tought to start and when I get it going it will go forward and reverse till I give it throttle and it bogs down and dies. Ive tried choke and no luck. After about a half hour (after its warmed up) I can give it a little throttle an speed up a little bit but then it will sputter a little. I just got a compression tested and gonna check it today.

Also can someone tell me about a decarb an what its all about.

Any help is Greatly appreciated cause Ive got a family thats going nuts to get back on the lake!
 

kenmyfam

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 10, 2006
Messages
14,392
Re: 1987 Evinrude 90 HP V4 is it worth to rebuild it

I am getting the "Glitter" affect. Ive got a 1982 75 hp Evinrude. It runs great out of the water with muffs on and throught all gears forward and reverse. Then...I put it in the water and Its tought to start and when I get it going it will go forward and reverse till I give it throttle and it bogs down and dies. Ive tried choke and no luck. After about a half hour (after its warmed up) I can give it a little throttle an speed up a little bit but then it will sputter a little. I just got a compression tested and gonna check it today.

Also can someone tell me about a decarb an what its all about.

Any help is Greatly appreciated cause Ive got a family thats going nuts to get back on the lake!

Viper, you should start your own thread on this. You will get much better and more accurate help that way.
 

LiLGrady17

Seaman
Joined
May 1, 2008
Messages
67
Re: 1987 Evinrude 90 HP V4 is it worth to rebuild it

I am getting the "Glitter" affect. Ive got a 1982 75 hp Evinrude. It runs great out of the water with muffs on and throught all gears forward and reverse. Then...I put it in the water and Its tought to start and when I get it going it will go forward and reverse till I give it throttle and it bogs down and dies. Ive tried choke and no luck. After about a half hour (after its warmed up) I can give it a little throttle an speed up a little bit but then it will sputter a little. I just got a compression tested and gonna check it today.

Also can someone tell me about a decarb an what its all about.

Any help is Greatly appreciated cause Ive got a family thats going nuts to get back on the lake!

Viper 1314, please re-post this in your own thread. Meanwhile, try increasing your base idle rpm. With the WP creating full pressure being submerged, you may be stalling out the motor with the load once you engage it in gear & flooding it after a few times.. Do a search for "Seafoam Decarb", you'll find plenty of threads..

MuleDeer, if the 70 runs good, your not 'under the gun' to jump into anything.. I'd show some interest, but keep looking around. With the current economy, people's boating budget's have gotten alot tighter. I'd say that V4 will be there if you want it at a latter point in time, plus the price point may soften some..
 

bob johnson

Rear Admiral
Joined
Feb 25, 2009
Messages
4,306
Re: 1987 Evinrude 90 HP V4 is it worth to rebuild it

MuleDeer, if the 70 runs good, your not 'under the gun' to jump into anything.. I'd show some interest, but keep looking around. With the current economy, people's boating budget's have gotten alot tighter. I'd say that V4 will be there if you want it at a latter point in time, plus the price point may soften some..


the motor is a 90 HP...the only mention of 70 was the compression....

if the compression is 55- 70 and he read it right...even if the motors price went to $200.....is it worth it to buy??

i would only say yes if the guy is a dabbler in motors..

and can stash it aside to work on later or use for parts

the LU is worth at least $400 if it works decent

covers sell easy too, if they are in good shape

if all four cylinders were 55-70/....Id suspect a poor compression check or gauge at first....

spray some oil in the cylinders and check...if it goes way up...then maybe there is a lot of wear in the rings..

try another gauge

a mechanic told me is the compression can FORCEFULLY push your thumb off the spark plug hole... then the compression is good.

didnt seem right...but the guy is a well seasoned mechanic

good luck

bob
 

muledeer

Cadet
Joined
Jul 12, 2009
Messages
22
Re: 1987 Evinrude 90 HP V4 is it worth to rebuild it

Thanks everyone- I'm not in a panic to get another motor...It just keeps me busy
 

iwombat

Captain
Joined
Jul 12, 2006
Messages
3,767
Re: 1987 Evinrude 90 HP V4 is it worth to rebuild it

It is really odd for all cylinders to be low and everything else in good working order. This motor is either all worn out, in which case everything else (LU etc.) will be worn out. Or, you've got stuck rings, bad head gaskets (overheat?), or a bad compression test. If the owner will let you pull a cover or two prior to purchase it'd be a good idea.

I also think $400 is awfully high for a parts motor.
 
Top