Buying an older outboard?what to get serviced first?

[Ghostrider1977]

What should I get serviced (ask the mechanic to inspect, replace, clean, etc.) when purchasing an older (80's) used 2-stroke outboard? I know it?s a used engine and has been around the lake a few times, but I want to make sure I start with a clean slate, and make sure that everything that should be (within reason) be serviced.

I don?t want to be taken for a ride, by a mechanic, nor to I want to miss anything important. Some sound advise from the knowledgeable community here would be appreciated!

 

[32251]

Re: Buying a used outboard?what to get serviced?

Re: Buying a used outboard?what to get serviced?

Start with a compression test. That will let you know about the power head and if you should even buy it or not.


Drain the gear lube and see what it looks like. You don't want to see any water mixed in with the lube...looks like coffee with cream...and also you don't want any metal filings from gear wear.

Rebuild the water pump..new impeller, housing if needed, bottom plate and all the seals that keep the oil and water from mixing with each other. New rubber seals on the ends of the water tube going to the block. New thermostat too.

Rebuild carb, clean and install all new gaskets.

Go through the ignition/electrical and test all the components and wiring.

Go to the bank and get plenty of money.....to pay for the mechanic AND the motor.

That's a start..I am sure there will be more advice coming.

 

[Toxarch]

Re: Buying a used outboard?what to get serviced?

Re: Buying a used outboard?what to get serviced?

Is it really necessary to put in new thermostats? I know it's a safe preventative thing to do, but why not see if the old thermostats are working first? Put the muffs on and run the engine in the driveway, you'll find out pretty fast if the thermostats aren't working by checking the temp of the water from the tell-tale.

 

[Joseph10]

Re: Buying a used outboard?what to get serviced?

Re: Buying a used outboard?what to get serviced?

water pump impeller + gear lube + spark plugs. I would only pour money into other things like carbs if there is a problem.

 

[32251]

Re: Buying a used outboard?what to get serviced?

Re: Buying a used outboard?what to get serviced?

Is it really necessary to put in new thermostats? I know it's a safe preventative thing to do, but why not see if the old thermostats are working first? Put the muffs on and run the engine in the driveway, you'll find out pretty fast if the thermostats aren't working by checking the temp of the water from the tell-tale.

If the motor is indeed old...what is old for a motor?...say 10-20 years and I am buying it and I don't know the history of the motor..$10 or $15 for a new thermostat and a gasket is just part of the water pump/impeller service as far as I am concerned. Then I know what I have and I know it is working and not for how long? If the thermostat was an expensive repair part then going to the trouble to test it would indeed be the way to go. Just my opinion.

 

[32251]

Re: Buying a used outboard?what to get serviced?

Re: Buying a used outboard?what to get serviced?

water pump impeller + gear lube + spark plugs. I would only pour money into other things like carbs if there is a problem.

He is talking about a 25+ year old motor. I would not even consider getting my family out in the middle of a body of water in a boat with a carb with 25 year old gaskets and such. Carbs cause a variety of problems. Don't you think it would be wise on a 25 year old motor to just go ahead and clean it out and put in a gasket repair kit?

If you eliminate the potential water pump and carb issues, you know that you will have no overheating problems that might damage the motor and your fuel flow will be right. That will leave you able to hone in on electrical/ignition system.

I would go ahead and do the plugs and wires also. If there are points and condensers under the flywheel do that too. Just my opinion.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Buying a used outboard?what to get serviced?

Re: Buying a used outboard?what to get serviced?

I believe you asked what you should have serviced and I think you mean after your buy it. The better approach would be to have it looked at before you buy it if you can. If you are buying the engine with the intent of having it shipped to you, only buy it from a reputable dealer. If this is a pickup only type purchase, find yourself a mobile marine mechanic and tell the seller that he will be comming buy to do some basic tests. If the seller baulks then move on.

If you go with that approach, make sure you hire a marine mechanic and not a surveyor. A good mechanic will know if an engine has been monkied with to make tests appear better than they are.

If you're buying it from a friend it makes it difficult. Just keep in mind that junk is junk and theres not much sense in paying someone to haul away their garbage.

 

[Ghostrider1977]

Re: Buying a used outboard?what to get serviced?

Re: Buying a used outboard?what to get serviced?

Thanks for all the ideas guys! The impeller replacement and carb rebuild were already on my list. Plugs look good too.

I know the engine runs OK. Pretty confident its not "Junk". I've been on the water with it many times as a HO. I'm more concerned with preventative / pro-active stuff that I can invest a few bucks in as insurance against problems that might creep up.

Think "starting fresh..."

 

[sschefer]

Re: Buying a used outboard?what to get serviced?

Re: Buying a used outboard?what to get serviced?

Did I see Repair Manual anywhere in this thread. That would be #1 on my list. In fact it is #1 on my list. I have to go order a repair manual and a parts manual for my V-135. Cross referencing for the correct replacement of NLA parts is nearly imposible without a good parts manual. Knowing if you should replace a part is pretty tough to do if you don't have a repair manual with specs and tolerances.

It will run about 130.00 for the original shop manual and a parts manual with all the addendums from Merc. You can find them on eBay but I'm leary of buying them that way if I can still get them from Merc.

 

[Ghostrider1977]

Re: Buying a used outboard?what to get serviced?

Re: Buying a used outboard?what to get serviced?

Did I see Repair Manual anywhere in this thread. That would be #1 on my list. In fact it is #1 on my list.

Not to derail my own post, but I'm looking for things to ask a mechanic to service, replace, inspect, clean etc. on a newly procured, used engine.

But, that manual would be on my short list of things to get too (just for my own knowledge arsenal...long term) if I could figure out the year of my engine.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=2299077#post2299077