72' Mercury 65hp outboard engine tests

[jacobmorin]

I have recently bought a 72' 65hp outboard motor. I was told the motor has run fine over the years, however I did take it down to my local marina to get it winterized and they stated it might need some work. The marina stated that it seems like there was a float stuck, the carbs might need some timing, etc. The motor does start right up on the first try, so I would hate to get rid of it due to age.

I am not really a mechanic, so I would have to have my work done by a mechanic or marina. Is there any tests that you all would recomend that I could do, or have the marina do, to see if the motor is even worth putting more money into? Also, for a motor of this year does anyone think it is just too old and it should be scraped?

Also, does anyone know of any good and trust worthy marninas or mechanics in the Northern NJ area? I am right by Lake Hopatcong.

Thanks for all of the help!

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 72' Mercury 65hp outboard engine tests

The first and most important test they should do is a compression test. Fast and easy to do. This will tell you the overall condition of the engine and whether it's worth going any farther. I am surprised they did not do that first....I had a 67' 65 HP and it was a good motor. Definitely worth looking into if internally solid..

 

[jacobmorin]

Re: 72' Mercury 65hp outboard engine tests

Thanks for the input. Do you know what the Compression test should read that would make the motor worth saving? Is the result a % grading, alphabet grading, numeric grading, or just a pass or fail result?

 

[jacobmorin]

Re: 72' Mercury 65hp outboard engine tests

The first and most important test they should do is a compression test. Fast and easy to do. This will tell you the overall condition of the engine and whether it's worth going any farther. I am surprised they did not do that first....I had a 67' 65 HP and it was a good motor. Definitely worth looking into if internally solid..

Thanks for the input. Do you know what the Compression test should read that would make the motor worth saving? Is the result a % grading, alphabet grading, numeric grading, or just a pass or fail result?