Compression for 1990 Evinrude XP 150

marty5030

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 9, 2006
Messages
31
I am buying a 1990 Champion with this Evinrude XP 150 on it. Owner says runs well and no problems. I had it compressioned checked and found that 2 cylinders had 95, 2 more had 90, 1 had a 100, and 1 lower cyl had an 85.
One mechanic thinks this is just a tired motor and should be fine. I am not sure if motor was at temperature or decarbed recently. Also this was done 6 years ago by owner with very similar numbers.

Any help would be awesome...hopefully this will be my first bass boat unless these numbers are not good.
 

ob

Admiral
Joined
Aug 16, 2002
Messages
6,992
Re: Compression for 1990 Evinrude XP 150

I might be a little concerned with the 85 psi hole,however readings in the mid 90's to low 100's are typical on V-6 carbed two stroke John/Rudes.Another factor is the procedure used in obtaining the numbers you posted and the accuracy of the compression guage.

See if the guy is willing to perform a decarb on said engine and perform another test if you're concerned.
 

MASTER Brian

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 26, 2006
Messages
738
Re: Compression for 1990 Evinrude XP 150

I'd also suggest the decarb. I have a similar boat, mine is an 86 Ranger with an XP 150 on it. It ran great when I bought it and didn't do a compression test, but later I lost a cylinder, the others were all at 90 psi +/-.

I don't feel a compression test at time of purchase would have revealed anything as it ran fine for about 2 months before going down. I do think that a decarb might have kept the rings from sticking and later breaking, but I didn't know about it at the time. Looking back, sticking rings were what caused my occasional, but not frequent loss of power 2 times before she died.

Another thing, I'm not sure an expensive gauge would show much. It might give higher readings, but the main thing is that they are all w/in 10% of each other. If you are concerned about stuck rings causing low compression, I've heard of putting a tablespoon or so of oil in the cylinder followed by a compression check and seeing if it comes back up.
 

marty5030

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 9, 2006
Messages
31
Re: Compression for 1990 Evinrude XP 150

ok, thanks for all the info!!!
 
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