Done w/ IO... opinions needed

[G. Arruda]

Hello all, not sure if this is the right forum, but I thought I'd start here...

Hx: My 1st pwr boat, 88 4winns OMC 3.0 17' IO trailered in NH. The boat is in great cosmetic shape. I've owned it 4 yrs, been well maintained by me and best guess the prior owner. BUT, lots of what I think are inherent IO issues are hitting the fan (and my wallet), Manifolds, LU seals, etc., these thing alone NBD, But the block is has an external crack for the last 2 seasons (tried expoxy, no luck) Anyway, leak isn't bad hasn't effected it's running (as long as the bilge pumps keep working)
So 2 ?'s: Do I throw in the towel on this one?
And what's the consensis on the ease of use and care of an OB v IO?

Any guidence would be MUCH apperciated!
Thanks, Gary

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Done w/ IO... opinions needed

Hey they all have maint issues.......
A merc would have been easier to maintain, imho.....
The crack is from pooor winterization, avoidable.....
Mans will get ten years in fresh water......
The 3.0 is easier to work on, IMHO.....
I'll bet a new 140 outboard ain't cheap.......JMO.....​

 

[bsh21wash]

Re: Done w/ IO... opinions needed

Outboards are not cheap...But I'm sure you know this =)

 

[tommays]

Re: Done w/ IO... opinions needed

IMHP The outboard has changed from a simple machine to a complex machine


In general only the very best techs can even trouble shoot a new outboard



Tommays

 

[G. Arruda]

Re: Done w/ IO... opinions needed (Keep'm coming)

Re: Done w/ IO... opinions needed (Keep'm coming)

Thanks guy's for the quick relplies!
I great to get seasoned opinions...
In addition to making the desision on what kind is best... What do you all think of putting the $ in to this boat???
Thanks, Gary

 

[Liquid_force]

Re: Done w/ IO... opinions needed (Keep'm coming)

Re: Done w/ IO... opinions needed (Keep'm coming)

What do you all think of putting the $ in to this boat???
Thanks, Gary

I have an '89 OMC 4.3L
We bought it in '03, used it a year with no problems we were aware of. Early in year 2 we had a major (at least it seemed major to me) lwr unit failure. What seems to have been poor shift cable adjustment led to damage to the gears to the tune of about $850.
It sucked, it was a LOT of money at the time (and still is), caused cancellation of a vacation, but in hindsight I'm glad we had the work done.
We know the gears are fresh, and we know - at least for now, the cable's adjusted corectly.
Just routine maintenance since then and it's done great.
Our exh man's are original. I can't tell you they won't fail tomorrow, but they've come this far (always fresh water)

My prior boat had a 115 'Rude. That motor was bulletproof, but still, I just like the demeanor of our I/O.

That cracked block is scary to me, but if it's just seeping fresh water I don't suppose it's a huge problem.
The manager of one of my local boat shops says he's successfully patched cracked blocks with marine-tex grey.

 

[G. Arruda]

Re: Done w/ IO... opinions needed

Thanks for the thoughts!
I'm at a loss as what to do, but I thinking at around $2000, to fix a20yr old boat,a motor that will still have a crack in it doesn't make much sense.
... If money was no object ;-)

 

[sabastianunf]

Re: Done w/ IO... opinions needed

I chose to fix mine - it hurt a little at first but it is nice to know everything is in good runnning order now. Mine wasn't cracked though.