Help buying a used motor

[packman35]

I posted earlier with questions about a 93 Evinrude 115 that is on a boat I am considering. I think I am going to go through with the purchase and wanted to see if anyone could give me some pointers.

The compression readings I was given are 85/85/80/75, which I know are possibly a little low and are uneven. This is my biggest concern.

A survey is really not an option for this boat so I have to do the evaluation myself. I will be able to do a pretty thorough inspection including a sea trial.

Any pointers in particular to the engine? I am really concerned that I am going to miss something major (=$$$). I know the compressions could just mean that it needs to be de-carbed. It could also mean the cylinders are scored and the head needs to be rebuilt. I would rather it be (a)

So - what can I reasonably do to check it out? Would I be able to recognize a bad cylinder during an inspection (without tearing the engine apart) or could I recognize it during the sea trial? What should I be looking for?

Sorry for all the questions. It took me a while to convince the wife to let me buy this and I don't want it to be broken as soon as I get it home!! I looked for a while and this boat seems to be the best bang for my limited budget.

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions!!

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Help buying a used motor

Do a compression check yourself using a different gauge. If you don't have one you can probably get/rent one from an auto store. Pull the drain plug on the L/U just enough to let a little oil out and make sure its not a milky color.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Help buying a used motor

You might be able to negotiate two prices. 1 for healthy cylinders and another for scored cylinders. Commit to the sale, pull the heads w/ the owner present and determine which sale price you're going for.

Worth a shot.

 

[packman35]

Re: Help buying a used motor

Good suggestions so far. Thanks. I will try to do a compression test of my own after the sea trial. Who knows if they even warmed up the engine when they did it.

As for pulling the heads, I don't think that would be possible. Mainly because I don't know how to do it (yet) and wouldn't want to try to figure it out in the parking lot with someone else's boat

Anything I can look for outside of pulling the heads? Anything during the sea trial?

Thanks again for bearing with me on this. I am such a newb. But I do learn fast once I get the darn thing home!!

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Help buying a used motor

Make sure during the sea trial that she does not overheat at all. Check the head and bolts paint for signs of overheating. As mentioned, check that lu gear lube for signs of water intrusion. Thoroughally inspect the trailer. Take a rubber mallet and tap the transom, looking for rot. Same with the floor, seats, live well, storage, etc....

Have any pics of the boat?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Help buying a used motor

pick up one of these, best way to tell if it is running hot.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93983

you want to see 140 and no higher than 160, top of block.

 

[packman35]

Re: Help buying a used motor

Great Idea!!! I have one at work that I can borrow. Thanks again. Bad cylinder would show up as overheating I assume?

 

[packman35]

Re: Help buying a used motor

Pics:

http://www.ccmarine.com/pre_owned_detail.asp?sid=05647394X12K30K2008J4I32I06JPMQ2938R0&veh=1072034

 

[redfury]

Re: Help buying a used motor

I'd get in that ski locker with the mallet too to see if you can find out how strong those stringers are. 15 years is enough time to rot out wood.

It's a good looking boat, but the value is going to be in the motor. A motor like that alone can go for the asking price easily, if it's in good shape.

What you are really going to be looking for is how easily it starts when you do the sea trial. It it pops right off, that'll be an obvious good sign. You'll want to run it a while and see how it restarts when it is hot also. The last thing you want it to do is to be a hard starter out in the middle of the lake where you were swimming, etc.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Help buying a used motor

Alot of that wood is rotted, I would be careful here, thoroughally go over the boat, especially transom, floor and stringers. Anyone that has done them knows the work involved is quite extensive. Why is a survey not possible? Because the owner says so? There is quite a bit of money involved in an overhaul such as this, been there done that. The deals are never quite as good as they seem.

If you can get the package, trailer too??, the trailer and motor would be worth the price, Im sure he would take 2k. Unfortunately, the boats condition is usually a sign of how the previous owner took care of the motor as well. Do your own compression test.

I really hate being a bearer of bad news, but I hate seeing ppl spend their summer in the driveway when they should be on the water.

 

[packman35]

Re: Help buying a used motor

Thanks. Here is a little bit more regarding the boat itself.

It is currently at a dealership. They sold it to the current owner 1.5 years ago. He now has health problems and they are selling it for him on consignment. The owner has said that he will take $2K for it - that or less is what I am prepared to spend.

I had the dealer do the compression test, leak check the drive, and check the floor/transom. He "says" that all was fine. He says the floor and transom are solid except for the broken storage locker door. He said the owner is a big man and the door looks like it just gave in to his weight. I will definitely be checking that out as well as pulling up the tank hatch to see what's going on under there.

FW used fiberglass enclosed stringers in 1993. Would that reduce any rot concerns?

As for the survey, the spousal boss says that I am an engineer and doesn't feel like I need to pay someone to do what she feels I can do myself. Hey, I got her to agree to the purchase so I am not pushing the issue!

 

[James R]

Re: Help buying a used motor

If the compression readings are correct I would say thanks but no thanks.
I have just looked at two boats and in both cases the owner said the deck is solid. In both cases they were rotted. I really dont think I need the work involved in replacing the deck. People just dont seem to realise that fresh water sitting on a deck will find its way in and rot it.
With the decks rotted I didn't bother to check the motors. No point.

 

[packman35]

Re: Help buying a used motor

OK, using some of the sage advice from you all on this forum, I have talked the spouse into getting a survey. Something about a $2K anchor seemed to do the trick in convincing her!!!

Now all I have to do is find a surveyor and get it done and hope for the best.

Any suggestions on what I should expect to spend?

BTW, am I still in the right forum? This thread has deviated a little from the motor topic I started with.

 

[packman35]

Re: Help buying a used motor

Well. No go on the survey. There were only two listed on the SAMS site that are anywhere near where the boat is. One is not in business yet and the other "does not do engines". So I am back to where I started.

Still welcoming any suggestions on how to evaluate the engine on-site before I purchase the boat :redface:

 

[ezeke]

Re: Help buying a used motor

When you do the compression test, be sure to use a screw-in type tester. Have all of the spark plugs out, and use a fully charged battery.

If the motor has been sitting a while, there may be rust on the floor of cylinder wall which will throw the test off somewhat.

Your primary concern will be that the readings are within around 10% of each other.

 

[nightstalker]

Re: Help buying a used motor

Don't trust the compression readings a dealer gives you. Do it yourself and do it right like you have been told, I'd be real leary of that deal if the readings are what the dealer gave you.
Nightstalker

 

[jonesg]

Re: Help buying a used motor

Try craigslist for a shipwright or outboard tech near you, they usually work for $60 hr , minimum 4 hrs and they know boats and what to look for, you just don't get a formal written report but you'll find out whats up.

Even if they boat turns out to be a loser and you don't buy it, you'll learn a lot by watching the expert go through it and be able to do your own inspections after that.
The learning curve is steep and expensive , even little mistakes such as hooking the battery up wrong. Having an expert walk you through the process in person is money well spent.