90hp four stroke sat two years, white smoke

[ccyoder]

I'm thinking about buying a boat with a 2003 90hp 4-stroke merc. The merc has sat after winterized in the fall of 2005...2.5 years.

Seller changed all fluids and drained and refilled gas tank. Had my mechanic look over the engine and he gave it the okay, compression was good. Took it out for a run yesterday. The motor runs great, starts right up, hits wot no problem, but i noticed a very slight white smoke coming from the engine. It was pretty light, but it's a four stroke and four strokes don't smoke, right? Guy I was ridging with said it was just the fogging oil burning off. Should I have another mechanic look at this, or is this legit?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 90hp four stroke sat two years, white smoke

he's probably right, even a car smokes after sitting a long time.

 

[rndn]

Re: 90hp four stroke sat two years, white smoke

Take it for another longer test run to be sure.

 

[ccyoder]

Re: 90hp four stroke sat two years, white smoke

Thanks. We ran it on the lake for 15 minutes yesterday. After it got warm, I ran it hard, trying to weasel out any stutters or misses, but it ran perfect. Still saw the light white smoke in the exhaust coming back to the ramp. It was really light..had to be looking for it.

This morning, I noticed the exhaust from a car in front of me and it looked like what I saw from the outboard yesterday. Could the light white smoke be just condensing water vapor considering the 40 degree weather and rain? Like when you exhale in the wintertime? If compression is good, then rings, head and block are good. How else would water get in there?

Any die-hards who boat in the cold with four strokes experience this?