Do rings go bad when engine sit?

[MarthaVermont]

I have a 9.9hp Honda engine bought in 2016 and never used. It has been sitting in a shed, dry, for four years. It never had any gas or oil unless the dealer put some in. I was told the rings might be bad and it might be worthless. It cost $2600 and the person who said it might be worthless wants to buy it for $1000. Is that reasonable? I don't know much about it, I am settling an estate. Thanks for any comments and insights.

 

[Scott Danforth]

first, welcome aboard

second, unless you are in Arizona, most sheds are not dry. moisture in the air is bad on motors that sit.

if the motor was never fired, it should still have assembly lube on the rings and it should be fine.

take it to the local Honda dealer and have them look

 

[robert graham]

I doubt there's anything wrong with that motor.....especially not the rings and cylinders....might need a carb cleaning at the most. Put some gas in it, hook up the water hose and crank it up!... It may surprise you how easily it starts. Tell the guy with the $1000 and shove it!.....That's a very nice little motor!.....

 

[flyingscott]

Before you start it make sure it has oil in it.

 

[dwco5051]

As said by previous posters that motor should run as if it was brand new. The only problem is the warranty may have expired for the new owner. The person who wanted to buy it for half of what it is worth is either planning on flipping it for a great return on his investment and knows a lot about motors or is making a low ball offer for his own use.

 

[tpenfield]

Average retail (per NADA) is about $1900 . . .

You can easily tell if the cylinders are OK, by putting some oil in the spark plug holes and pulling the engine's start cord to see if the engine turns over.

As far as the rings . . . they would probably have oil on them from the initial manufacturing and testing.

I would think you could get more $$$ for it than $1K . . . $1,500-1800 would be reasonable.

FWIW - I got a brand new 28 year old Yamaha 3 hp from a friend that had never been used and only run once. I put a little bit of seafoam in the cylinder, filled the tank with 2-cycle mix along with some fuel system cleaner. It started right up and has run great for the past year.

 

[racerone]

If it was stored with carburetor dry then it should start right up and run like new.-----Rings going bad when a motor sits is just nonsense !!

 

[GA_Boater]

Who in their right mind would offer $1,000 for a worthless motor? Unless they know something. He was trying to take advantage of your lack of familiarity.

 

[matt167]

yup... I freed up a stuck Evinrude 4hp. It was not stuck too hard, but stuck. Once I got it free and the cylinder lubed it was blowing 120 psi and runs like a new motor... Sitting brand new does nothing

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Transmission fluid will free up the rings.