How can you tell if a motor was in saltwater

[EHardgrave]

We recently bought a motor from this site that they “don’t think” was in saltwater. I can’t tell what would be considered excessive corrosion for a 2002. How else could you tell? What would that mean to the life of the motor? What is the life span approx of a 4 stroke motor? They said it has approx 1000 hours on it. Unfortunately we don’t know the maintenance pre us owning it.

 

[G DANE]

Re: How can you tell if a motor was in saltwater

Saltwater or freshwater, on a 2002 motor there shouldnt be any problems. Its what it is run in the next 20 yrs that matter. I have a 1991 that has been run in heavy saltwater, only shovs light corrosion under paint along the line seperating lower unit from midsection.

 

[jgrisham02633]

Re: How can you tell if a motor was in saltwater

Periodically inspect all anodes for wear and be sure they are making good contact with the motor or they will not serve their purpose, wich is to protect your motor from corrosion.

 

[sandspike]

Re: How can you tell if a motor was in saltwater

i have a 73 evinrude that does not even know what fresh water is. and it has very little corrosion if any that is visable

 

[Scaaty]

Re: How can you tell if a motor was in saltwater

Where it's been is water over the proverbial dam. Whats done is done. What you do now is what counts. Get a manual for it and follow its maintenance schedule, flush it out with fresh water after use as much as possible. If it will sit for long periods, Stabil the gas. If in the water, start and run it until warm at a fast idle every 7-10 days...any (but not all of course) corrosion that starts to set up is flushed out, and the process needs to start all over. Hope this helps.<br />Ps. Don't forget the trailer too! Wash it off AFTER launching, AND after retrieving...

 

[EHardgrave]

Re: How can you tell if a motor was in saltwater

Is a 1000 hours that bad for a 2002 4 stroke? How many hours can you expect out of motor? It will be in fresh water the rest of its life.

 

[G DANE]

Re: How can you tell if a motor was in saltwater

Averege recreationel use of motors is 60-75 hours yearly. 1000 hrs is much in 3 yrs, probably the reason for selling that new, but its rather neglect of maintenance that time that kills them, very few motors wear out. A rule of thump is somewhere around 3500 - 4500 hrs, but a lot of the 2 strokes do a lot more, I read about motors that burned 7 - 8000 gls of gas, without rebuild. Dont know of 4 strokes. Buying a used motor with 1000 hrs wouldnt worry mee.