200hp 1989 Mariner

[nphilbro]

I'm going to go look at one for sale on Sunday. The guy said it needs plugs, coils- everything for spark. Outside of the normal ignition stuff, are there any ghosts in these motors? I don't know exactly which model it is yet since I haven't seen it (I think there were 4 that year). I'll the check compression if I can get the right socket to turn the flywheel. The asking price is quite low so I could put quite a bit of work and money into it and still break even.

Are there any notorious problems with the powerhead or lower unit on that series?

 

[1nebel0]

Re: 200hp 1989 Mariner

You are going to need more than a socket to check for spark..this motor must spin at 300 rpm to fire the ignition system very simple..get a battery pack, jump the selonoid with all of the plugs out and ground out the plugs... I have a stevens testor that hooks to ground and grounds 4 wires at a time..This is what the shops use...they also make a 6 cylinder one...they work great to ground the system and show you the color of the spark...If you need a stator be prepared for 200-400 dollars depending on what you need...Merc switch boxes are $225 and you need two of them which they recommend they be replace in pairs..Coils go out rarely but they go out but not six of them...I never buy a motor that is not mounted without at least doing a complete compression test..This does not gurantee you that there is no knocking in the motor but that isn't too common...A leakdown test which very people ever do except the shops is the best way to determine condition of the rings as a compression test is only one test to insure that you haven't got a dead hole.. I have seen more people trying to pass off running engines that don't run....If you have a low cylinder, get ready for a rebuild which is very costly even if you do the work...When you say normal ignition stuff there is no such thing as normal...Each piece of the ignition system can be tested as throwing parts at it could cost you upwards of $800 plus dollars and thats if you do the work...no guessing here for sure...good luck

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: 200hp 1989 Mariner

Need serial# to be sure.Someplace on the motor is a silver freeze plug with the #s engraved there.J

 

[CharlieB]

Re: 200hp 1989 Mariner

Like the first responder said, take along a good battery, jumper cables, compression tester. If compression is even and the gearcase oil is good, the motor may still be a good investment.

DVA testing the ignition components is MANDATORY, as there is NO RETURN on electrical parts, you do NOT want to just start hanging parts on until you get spark. Switchboxes and stators can get spendy, but you do not necessarily want to totally troubleshoot the ignition in front of the seller. As long as the seller is willing to let the motor go cheaply thinking it will cost you $1000 to fix it, that can be in your favor as a haggling point.

Download the Ignition Troubleshooting Guide from the Support pages of CDIElectronics

Their excellent guide will walk you thru all the testing necessary to identify any ignition problem BEFORE spending a dime on parts.

 

[nphilbro]

Re: 200hp 1989 Mariner

Good stuff. I'll get the serial number and exact make.

I have a Johnson 85hp I bought with the same symptom. I paid $250 for it and will only have $850 total invested, including new gaskets, stator, and power pack when it's repainted. That was still a good deal.

The Johnson was my first motor and I didn't check the compression when I bought it. I got very lucky since after the tear down the cylinder walls and pistons were pristine.

Second time around I'm going to be much more wary and not count so much on luck. I'll be sure to turn the engine first! I'm also not going to buy it on the spot. I'll get the serial and model #'s and do some real cost investigation on the parts.

$1000 on parts would be quite a good deal on this motor considering the asking price. I'll still have my Johnson to get me on the lake opening day.

I'm glad to not hear of any Gremlins on this motor so far.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: 200hp 1989 Mariner

You can replace near the entire ignition assy for $1000, but I doubt that it will take anywhere near that.

A DVA meter and the Troubleshooting Guide will sort out any no spark condition very quickly.

Too bad I'm not still in Everett, I would be looking for that motor!

 

[nphilbro]

Re: 200hp 1989 Mariner

The serial number is 0C109939

I couldn't do a compression test on the motor since it isn't mounted and there seems to be something stopping the flywheel (red one). I mean, it will turn 359 degrees in either direction but stops at exactly the same spot. The pistons moved normally - I can see them with the plugs out.

The motor is lying on its side in a shed. We're talking $500 for the motor. It is incredibly clean, I'm just nervous about not being able to check compression.

 

[sschefer]

Re: 200hp 1989 Mariner

The serial number is 0C109939

I couldn't do a compression test on the motor since it isn't mounted and there seems to be something stopping the flywheel (red one). I mean, it will turn 359 degrees in either direction but stops at exactly the same spot. The pistons moved normally - I can see them with the plugs out.

The motor is lying on its side in a shed. We're talking $500 for the motor. It is incredibly clean, I'm just nervous about not being able to check compression.

Pass on it. It might be worth 500.00 parted out. There's no difference between it and a 89 Merc 200. That lockup problem is hard to nail down exactly but your first check should be to pull the flywheel and see if a magnet let loose. If that's not it then it's internal and hard to say exactly what it is until you tear into it. The owner saying it needs everything regarding spark makes me want to lean towards the flywheel magnet but I couldn't say for sure. If you have to replace everthing including the switchboxes you'll be into it for around 1500.00 more and it's old. Look around, you can easily find a better motor for what you might spend on fixing this one.

 

[nphilbro]

Re: 200hp 1989 Mariner

For what it's worth, I have a quote for all the necessary electronics (including flywheel) pulled and tested for $175.00 from a from a parts shop so I'm less concerned about them than what's stopping the flywheel from rotating full 360.

 

[1nebel0]

Re: 200hp 1989 Mariner

I want the name of the parts store as my new place to get products from..........

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: 200hp 1989 Mariner

I have a quote for all the necessary electronics (including flywheel) pulled and tested for $175.00 from a from a parts shop

I want their name also as you cant bench test some of these parts and insure they are good.

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: 200hp 1989 Mariner

If you can't crank it over and check the compression look for something else !!!

 

[CharlieB]

Re: 200hp 1989 Mariner

It is possible that something is amiss in the gearcase, tho I doubt that the owner is willing to let you start taking things apart to check.

Proceed cautiously.

There is NO bench test for switchboxes, it 'could' be possible for two AC Generators be rigged, but I haven't seen Merc do it.

 

[nphilbro]

Re: 200hp 1989 Mariner

I'm just too uncertain at this point since I don't have a good motor to start the season out with yet. I'm going to buy another used Johnson parts motor I found for $300 that is compatible with mine and has the needed parts.