2009 Mercury 2.5/3.5HP or an old Mariner or Evinrude/Johnson?

[777funk]

Seems like these new Mercury Tohatsu motors are $300-$400 used and with low hours. I see old Mariners in the same price range (sometimes maybe $100 less). I see old Lightwins from $100-$300.

Would I be better off with a new Merc or an older unit mentioned?
I've read some bad things about the new Mercury Tohatsu. But you need several similar reports to believe it. Sometimes someone who doesn't know how to pull the choke just leaves an instant bad review. Other times you can tell something really is a problem.

 

[777funk]

Anyone have experience with the new 2.5 or 3.5 horse? Maybe they work so well the owners aren't on here for advice?!

 

[racerone]

Those motors came out of the same factory !!---Painted black on monday.--Painted white on tuesday.---Blue on wednesday.--gray on thursday.etc , etc.

 

[Texasmark]

Tohatsu has good ratings as an outboard OEM. On which, my choice is an alternate firing twin. If you can't get that in a new engine you MIGHT consider an older one. However, to get the smoothness that may only be available in that hp range in a 50 year old engine like the beloved OMC 3 hp fisherman.......mighty risky. Obviously my opinion.

 

[777funk]

I'm considering one that won't start. Seems like a motor from the 2000's aught not to have trouble this soon.

 

[Texasmark]

I'm considering one that won't start. Seems like a motor from the 2000's aught not to have trouble this soon.

You never know. Lots of engines are used infrequently or stored with fuel in the carb and varnish is the culprit. It seals everything shut and you can't move any fuel.

Get a can of Sea Foam aerosol at your auto parts store. Get access to the carb. Set the throttle to full on (WOT) and spray some SF into the venturi. Try to start it. If it hits and stops, problem is as I said. Go through the fuel system and clean it all out.

 

[Sea Rider]

Something to know about those 2 mentioned models, both have internal incorporated fuel tanks :

If won't be using engine for months to come after last outing, you should :

-While engine is being flushed, close fuel lever and let engine die.
-Turn engine up side down and remove all fuel leftover from portable tank.

One part that is overlooked when encountering fuel related issues as when having hard starts after long time engine storage, is that inside fuel **** there's a small mesh filter which can clog itself if fuel sits there for long time periods specially if being 2 strokes engines due to fuel evaporation and 2 stroke oil gunk remaining there.

Other than that which is not a tech flaw, are bullet proof small portable simple engines. Go for a 3.5 instead than a 2.5 HP. Will push anything that floats much better.

Happy Boating

 

[777funk]

That all sounds like good advice. I do all of that on all my power equipment. I think this came from a state govt auction. Maybe they didn't follow the advice.


Sea Rider, by all specs the 2.5 and 3.5 Mercury look the same (engine displacement, etc). Can the 2.5 be tuned to have the power of the 3.5 relatively easily? Any other differences other than HP Rating?

 

[racerone]

Outboard motors are well engineered and well put together.-----Rarely get a chance to wear out.------They are usually ruined by folks who make mistakes.

 

[Sea Rider]

Sea Rider, by all specs the 2.5 and 3.5 Mercury look the same (engine displacement, etc). Can the 2.5 be tuned to have the power of the 3.5 relatively easily? Any other differences other than HP Rating?

Need a 3.5 HP carb swap to convert a 2.5 into a 3.5 HP. Yes both are same CC.

Happy Boating