Four stroke reliability

[Silvertip]

Yesterday I had my boat in a shop getting a re-power done. I was keeping an eye on the tech doing the work but my attention was drawn toward the back of the shop where a group of engine blocks was neatly arranged. I managed to get a closer look and counted 18 four stroke blocks with varying degrees of ventilation. Two failures were most evident. 1) rod through the block and 2) hole in piston from swallowed valve (probably from broken/slipped timing belt). Most were three cylinder engines but I also counted three twins and three V6's with similar problems. Further checking revealed five other engines. These were two-strokes and judging by the amount of gunk and grime on them, were at least 10 - 15 years old or more. I quizzed the tech and the owner but both were very tight lipped and offered no explanation other than "things break". Glad my repower is a two stroke.

 

[ob15]

Re: Four stroke reliability

I can see that. Probably worked way too hard and not maintained. The old broken timig belt scares me. I'll stick with 2 strokes as long as I can.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Four stroke reliability

Originally posted by Dave F.:<br /> I'll stick with 2 strokes as long as I can.

That's my plan as well.

 

[jjbuoni]

Re: Four stroke reliability

Guys:<br /><br />I am glad for this site. I have learned a lot.<br />I earlier asked the question of a 2005 merc 2 stroke 25 hp vs a 2006 merc 15hp bigfoot. Both at the same price. The dealer was pushing the bigfoot. This site pushed the 2 stroke.<br />I choose the 2 stroke because of the info from this site and also my previous merc 2-stroke was a 1993 and seldom in the shop. Keep the info coming!

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Four stroke reliability

Your observations may be misleading. A former employer specialized in rebuilding Merc V-6s. There are blocks all over the place neatly stacked in bins. So by your logic, it may be unwise to buy a Merc V-6.<br /><br />He may specialize in rebuilding 4-strokes. There aren't a whole lot of them doing that yet, so he may have found his niche. Or he may have a client that runs tons of them. Except for the concept of a lot more parts that can break, I've found the 4-strokes to be plenty reliable ... so far.

 

[Terry H]

Re: Four stroke reliability

Jeez,I better get rid of that Merc V-6 before it ends up in your former employer's stack there Willy...Chief

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Four stroke reliability

Guess I better buy me a two-stroke car.<br /><br />These here four strokes in autos don't seem to work so well.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Four stroke reliability

Be assured this shop was definitely not in the rebuilding business. As so often happens in these threads, there are supporters of both sides and I simply reported an observation and my personal feelings. So long as I don't have to pay for anyone elses engine I could care less what they like or buy. I don't consider a shop a "rebuilder" if they recondition a cylinder head and install it on a new or reconditioned block that they in-turn got from the OEM or a rebuilder. If they are importing bad engines, salvaging what they can, and are doing the actual rebuilding in-house, then they are a "rebuilder". I'm certainly not condeming four strokes as they've obviously worked in cars for years. Outboards are operated very differently than cars and the tend to be neglected. Neglecting a four stroke engine with a timing belt, like a car, could result in your engine sitting amongst these 18. By the way Stillfishing, be careful what you wish for -- considering what Evinrude has done with a two-stroke, you may see a lightweight two-stroker in a car. SAAB did it years ago and the auto makers today continue to examine the two-stroke. It could happen again now that emissions and economy are the same or better than four strokes. No doubt four stroke outboards will be around since Merc has pumped a bunch of green backs into the Verado. The market in the end will dictate whether both technologies exist or whether one or the other disappears. It really doesn't matter to me as I'm a "duffer" and my current rig will maybe be my last. (Note I said "maybe").

 

[ziemann]

Re: Four stroke reliability

Oh boy, if you were a new person, I would say this is a troll- but you have been around for a while. <br /><br />I know of several dealerships that are primary suppliers to resorts/ rentals and usually at the end of the season, everything somes back in for a rebuild, check, or as a trade in. Often times, rentals get abused pretty hard and I would lean towards the fact that these are not "normal" engines. <br /><br />There are tons of 4 strokes out there now. If there was a huge problem with one of the manufacturers having a catastrophic failure rate, we would hear about it here on these boards. <br /><br />Perosnally, I too love my 2 strokes, but from a logical point of view, I would not have a problem buying a 4 stroke Suzuki, Honda, Tohatsu, or Merc- to me it is more about nostalgia- I love the smell of 2 stroke in the morning.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Four stroke reliability

Perhaps the mistake I made by starting this topic was in its title. Maybe it should have been titled "Four-Stroke Longevity".

 

[JRJ]

Re: Four stroke reliability

What did you re-power with and why Upinsmoke?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Four stroke reliability

75 Merc two-stroke. My trusty 1995 Evinrude 40 was moved from a previous boat to a 2004 Alumacraft Navigator 165CS last season. I really thought with proper prop selection that this combo would work. This boat is very stern heavy so it really had a tough time getting on plane but would run at 28 MPH once up. However, the strain would likely have sent the motor to an early demise. I had been tossing around the two-stroke and four-stroke idea around for a long time and when this cherry 1999 Merc came along it was a perfect match as that's what the boat is rated for. I cover big water so this engine will loaf. Now if it is only half as reliable as "Evy" was, we are in good shape.

 

[JRJ]

Re: Four stroke reliability

Good luck and have fun