Help with buying a motor from Classifieds please

[chrisg]

I found someone on this craigslist that is selling a outboard ?99 merc 60hp bigfoot in my area. No controls, cables or tanks. They say it runs great, just cosmetic scratches and has been serviced every year. This is an individual.

I looked up the price on the NADA site and its $800.00 less then what they are asking.

My questions are:
1) Should I present the NADA price and state that that?s what I?ll pay? (I can understand higher if it?s a marina, where they had cleaned it up , and may give a warranty)

2) Is it a valid request to take it to a marina and have it checked out? ? do marinas do that?
3) - When checking out the motor, what to look for? I know compression is important, visual damage. What else?
a. Having the experience where my ?87 merc looked OK until it was under load, I?m concerned. Can a marina check out a motor under a load scenario?
b. Would a '99 be OK if it runs? - the motor is 240 lbs. not sure what they have it on. don't know how I would get it to a marina to have it checked out.
- Would getting a compression tester, check it out where it is, visual inspection be good enough, considering is not that old?


Also, would my '87 115 merc controls & cables connect to this motor?

Thanks all

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Help with buying a motor from Classifieds please

Why no controls? Is the seller putting a new engine on his boat? If so, why?

I wouldn't buy any outboard I couldn't hear running under any conditions, unless the price was low enough to cover likely repairs.

Yes, if you can take it to a shop and have it checked, that's a good idea, but check with the shop before going to look at the outboard, and make sure they can do the job.

 

[chrisg]

Re: Help with buying a motor from Classifieds please

Just talked to the guy selling it. He just got a new 90HP merc, so his controls fit. thats why there are no controls. He is the original owner.

he did the winterizing himself ( changing lower unit and foging engine).
Said Last time he had it running on his boat was end of july. It has been sitting on the floor of his Dad's garage ever since.

He has no problems with having the marina check it out. Marina said they can run and check it out for ~$100.00. and if I give the S/N of my motor and this, they can see if the cables will fit. That will determine how good the deal will be. I just will have to physically get it there.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Help with buying a motor from Classifieds please

Chris, Controls for that motor will not be cheap, if you need to buy them new. I would price some before you make the deal. The two biggest concerns are the compression and gearcase. If those two things look good, and the motor runs, you are likely OK. Therefore I recommend you check compression, and pull the plug on the gearcase and rain some gear oil out. If it is brand new oil it will be clear and brown or blue. if it is leaking water it will be milky. if it is pretty clear and darker, the LU is likely good and has some hours on the oil, which means he is not hiding anything.

That motor can easily be run without controls. You will need battery cables hooked to the motors' ground and starter solenoid, a battery and a piece of jumper wire. You also need gas and the flusher device, and the motor must be on a stand. You simply hook up the gas, water and battery, hit the primer solenoid manual pushbutton, advance the throttle a bit and jumper the starter solenoid to crank the motor. Be smart and remove the prop. You will need to choke the motor to get it to stop.

 

[chrisg]

Re: Help with buying a motor from Classifieds please

Thanks Chris1956;

I have a merc, so I'm seeing if the electrical will connect. the marina said that my control box and cables should work, at worst I will need a converted plug for the harness. That's the only reason I'm looking at this motor. He had sold the prop, but I see they go for 100-160.

But I am seeing what the worst case added costs would be before making an offer. I will be looking at it tonight and taking pics. ( to compare the wiring plug and cable connections).


I have the S/N of the motor. I wonder if someone here who Knows Mercs could tell me if my cables and wiring harness would fit if I give both S/Ns?

As for getting it checked. perhaps buying/ borrowing a compression tester and looking at the lower unit would be good enough. I assume you test compression by turning it over by hand and not running it. ( just need to rig up something to hold the motor to start it up with a hose.) Its not THAT old ( for outboards, is it?

Thanks for the advice. I do think the motor is only worth what the NADA site said, but again, I would assume that price is with contol cables.

I'll let you know how things turn out.

 

[chrisg]

Re: Help with buying a motor from Classifieds please

Well, I looked at the motor,

the lower unit oil was clear, and greenish-blue, no milky color. the motor appeared visually in good shape. a minor scratch on the cowling.

He has no stand to put it on to start it up ( unless it would be OK to hang it from a hoist.) I will get a compression tester and check out the compression. Sounds like we wont be able to start it, as there are no electical cables.

What should the compression be for this size motor? If the compression is good, would it be a good bet that it's OK.( again, the guy bought a bigger merc, also, he has a 17 foot lund, and the motor was not suited to his boat. he bought it new in '98 from a local marina, the engine sticker says 1999, but I can't verify the S/N. )

It look like my cables/control box should work, my only concern is the wire harness. this motor has a round, 8-pin connector, I have not seen what my motor has.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Help with buying a motor from Classifieds please

Compression should be 100+ PSI and even on all cylinders.

Sounds like the gearcase is OK.

See my other post on your wiring issues.