Buying a used 2 Stroke outboard tips?

[PISTONESAL]

Hello,

I am lookig to buy a used outboard and I fould one about 17 years old with awesome compression on all 3 cylinder? Owner states was used in fresh water oy and always maintained and it looks great in pictures but seller lives 3 hours away. Any thoughts suggetions on what else to check besides compression, lower unit oil, and of course starting it? Its on a stand not boat so cant do a test drive. Please advise. I'd hate to go that far and miss something simple. Thanks

 

[Chris1956]

Well, IMO you should decide what is important on a sliding scale according to motor age and price. Good compression and a good gearcase are most important for any motor. After that, as the price gets less, are(in order) power trim, ignition system, charging system, carb condition and general appearance.

 

[Maclin]

Share the brand and model number, some are more prone to issues than others.

 

[tomhath]

Sellers always say "freshwater and properly maintained". Does he live near salt water? If so it was used there. If you go to look at it, bring your own compression tester.

 

[roscoe]

Don't just start it, test for spark on all 3 plugs.

A 3 cylinder 2 stroke will run and sound just fine on 2 cylinders, especially when not submerged in water.
But it will have no power.

expect it to run a little rougher or have a low idle problem, when finally put in water, so a carb cleaning may be needed.

 

[ahicks]

Sellers always say "freshwater and properly maintained". Does he live near salt water? If so it was used there. If you go to look at it, bring your own compression tester.

In my experience, occasional use in salt water is no big deal (as in day use via trailer) - as long as the engine is well maintained. An engine showing a ton of rust and/or corrosion under the hood would be an example of one that has NOT been well maintained.

Other than the obvious running issues, you want to make sure the engine pivots freely on it's steering mechanism. They do freeze up on occasion, and can be a real PIA to repair if that happens.

 

[dingbat]

The first thing I look for is cleanilness, inside and out and I don’t mean a quick wipe down before a buyer shows up.

If they care enough to keep it clean they care enough to keep it maintained. A well maintained motor is pretty easy to spot. Electrical tape and multiple styles of hose clamps get strike one

The thing Is to start it. It should fire quickly and easily. Excess cranking and choking is stroke two.

If if everything else falls in line, I run a compression test. If that fails, strike three.

When evaluating the sale price, I always assume it needs a water pump, carbs rebuilt and all fuel and oil lines need replaced

 

[tomhath]

In my experience, occasional use in salt water is no big deal (as in day use via trailer) - as long as the engine is well maintained.

Agreed, and if he said "occasional saltwater use and flushed afterward" it wouldn't bother me unless there was corrosion.

The thing here is to determine if the seller is being honest. If he says "freshwater only" but lives near saltwater it would make me suspicious. Says great compression? Trust, but verify. If he's not quite honest about those things, what else is he hiding?

 

[PISTONESAL]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I got a couple of things to check. Well, pictures are awesome of it. No rust and very very clean in and out. He is probably say about an hour from slat water. He does not know the hours on it as he bought for his pontoon from a person who had the engine on a bass boat. He rebuilt the fuel pump, carbs, replaced fuel filter and changed the lower unit oil. he did those items but how do I check without tearing apaart the motor? He states motors water pressure is awesome. What about the oil injection part of it? How is that checked? Its a 75HP Mercury. I have one that is a year older so thought is I can use parts out of mine. Besides the starter,solenoid, spark cable and card, not sure what else I can reuse out of mine as I dont know what caused the low compression on one of the cylinders in my current motor to be 60psi vs 120 on the others. Thanks agin for the info

 

[daveydoodle]

Sounds like you have some solid advice here. Ive bought a few older ones over the years and I take in to consideration how well the ads. are made and an owners demeanor when speaking. I have a sense for BS coupled with pics. hastily made with no thought or pride says a lot. Another emerging issue for me is the use of ethanol free fuel. A 17 yr old motor that's been used with ethanol gas and no carb and gas line work is very rare. To have 3 carbs rebuilt and new gas lines will cost you unless done yourself. Changing the gear oil is a simple given-should be done every year. Short of a pressure test , again talk, get him to volunteer, how often changed and color of oil meaning water intrusion. I would think if he did all the carb work , and when, the primer and primary gas line should reflect that too. I'm usually happy with a cold start in addition to an on the water test but not always possible- at some point you have to realize buyer beware and hope for the best.