keep old or buy new???? Evinrude 115

[thehermit]

Anybody got an e-pinion on this one?<br /><br />I have a 1982 Evinrude 115. It has been a trooper to say the least but after stranding me twice last season (wiring harness issue and no idle killed bat) it has me wondering (and not trsuting). Should I let it go?<br /><br />Repairs (more like maintenence but money none the less) it does need, if its the thing to do are as follows:<br />bi-annual water pump (and thermostat(s))<br />and shift and throttle cable<br />other than that it still runs good<br /><br />I was looking at 1993 Evi for over 3K, but 10 years for 3K...well I dont know<br /><br />How do I check the powerhead (or other critical things) to see if this thing will continue to provide service?<br /><br />Old vs New vs Newer? who knows?<br /><br />Thanks<br />thehermit-Cape Cod USA

 

[miloman]

Re: keep old or buy new???? Evinrude 115

The old story goes if its not broken don't fix it If all your motor required a few hundred $ to have it runing fine then thats better then thousands spent. How is the compression spark lower uniton your current unit. If all of these seem fine and within spec why? Do you need another motor for a specific reason

 

[DJ]

Re: keep old or buy new???? Evinrude 115

the hermit,<br /><br />If the compression is good. It's going to be OK.<br /><br />Wiring can be repaired very easily.<br /><br />Water pumps are relatively cheap.<br /><br />New throttle/gear cables are less than $50.00.<br /><br />So far, you're probably under $200.00.<br /><br />If you like it, and it runs well. Keep it. Why spend $3K for something you know nothing about. Especially when you do not have to.

 

[thehermit]

Re: keep old or buy new???? Evinrude 115

well I hear you.....lower unit is in good shape ( I think). Sounds like making sure the compresion is still within range is easy and I will do that. I guess I am struggling with the peace of mind (that I lost) 20 miles out... Is there any other system checks other than compresion? How do you check the lower unit? I mean I have replaced some seals (water pump/prop housing thing seal) in the past to try to keep the salt water out but do I need to check and gears or just go with it?<br /><br />thanks<br />thehermit-Cape Cod

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: keep old or buy new???? Evinrude 115

Have you already got a real reliable kicker? - good for peace of mind.<br /><br />How much corrosion does the '82 have? In strictly fresh water, and with good maintenance, OMCs can last 'forever'. Salt's tougher depending on use & whether the boat's moored all season, or just trailered in once or twice a year.

 

[bonitoman]

Re: keep old or buy new???? Evinrude 115

Run your outboard till it dies. Spend 200-300 a year on maintenace and repairs. Those engines are good and parts are cheap.You have to remember one thing that you live up north and your boating season is real short. Most people up north can not use there engines all year long like we do in florida. Save your money and run your engine when it is nice outside. I am blessed that I fish every weekend of the year down here.

 

[SCO]

Re: keep old or buy new???? Evinrude 115

I struggled with the same delima with my 73 OMC v4. I solved the problem by getting a kicker motor for the peace of mind. After a couple of years w iboats and this motor, I know it so well that I can't afford to get rid of it. <br /><br />So you know where you are, a dealer can pressure check the lower unit for the seal. I didnt check the gears cause there were no metal shavings in the lu oil, and it all seems to work fine, so I just replaced bearings and seals in the brg carrier, replaced lu oil fill vent screw washers. I monitor the garage floor for oil, and replace the lu oil 2 times per year(beg and end of season). With water, the lu oil turns white, and some lesser color change with small amounts of water is said to also be normal I have heard. No white lu oil = lu peace of mind. IMHO, somebody has to understand and look over the function of whatever motor you have, either you or your mechanic. With a service manual you will have descriptions of everything and harness schematics. I rather enjoy tinkering with it. My motor, and yours, are horses. I don't think you can get that kind of power to weight ratio today.

 

[DJ]

Re: keep old or buy new???? Evinrude 115

thehermit,<br /><br />The best way to check the L/U is to have it pressure and vacuum checked.<br /><br />If the fluid looks good and it passes these tests, you're good to go.<br /><br />Remember, on the piece of mind front, how would you feel if a 2 week old $10K engine stranded you 20 miles out?<br /><br />It sounds like your problems were wiring related. As I mentioned, that's easy and cheap.<br /><br />About the only other things I may have done to that old crossflow are:<br /><br />Thermostats <br /><br />Decarb.<br /><br />Head-water deflectors.

 

[plywoody]

Re: keep old or buy new???? Evinrude 115

Personally, I would think it depends on you and your budget. Most commercial users who depend on machinery for their livelihood, or those who have the money that they don't want to worry about problems, go brand new and replace every couple of years. It is not a bad way to go if you can afford it.<br /><br />I do not think I would go with a 10 year old unit that you don't know anything about to replace what you do know, however. You could be getting a bigger problem than what you might already have. No motor will last forever especially when used primarily in salt water, however. <br /><br />It can be a tough call.<br /><br />Do get a good dependable kicker no matter how you go if you are going offshore 20 miles or so.

 

[thehermit]

Re: keep old or buy new???? Evinrude 115

Great e-pinions.....plywoody called it! its a budget thing so I will most likely have to try to squeeze another season out of the 82..I do not have a good kicker and have been hesitant on carying around the extra weight due to its potentail effect on fuel (and a posible list?) Any coments on how the kicker effects a 20 footer (Novi Hull)? Also is there any way to check thermostats or should they simply be replaced....I have had the motor for 6 seasons (4 moored) all in salt water. Corrosion is not bad at all compared to others Ive seen, I try to keep it as clean as posible. It does however leak a black gas oil (sludge) mixture down the front of the cowling like from the powerhead area (unburned gas/oil?). I simply wipe it up other than that its clean.

 

[G DANE]

Re: keep old or buy new???? Evinrude 115

Hi Thetermit<br /><br />The leaky thing is usually from carbs and tells you its probably time for a carb rebuild which is a normal maintenance procedure. The waisted gas gathers dirt and evaporates, leaving oil and dirt.<br /><br />It could bee a leaky reed also - get it checked by removing silencer box at next service and check if it shoots unburned gas back through carbs. Do a retighten of alle bolts if some gasket is leaking. Could be the gasket between powerhead and leg too - do a retighten.<br /><br />No need to worry too much for corosion. Most old OMCs run 20-30 year in salt water with no problem, especially the bigger ones.

 

[DJ]

Re: keep old or buy new???? Evinrude 115

thehermit,<br /><br />As I mentioned in previous posts, it's probably tiime to "freshen" up the old OMC.<br /><br />The leaky fuel issue is probably as described, or may just be a hose or something. Anyway, it's a symptom.<br /><br />Thermostats are important. An engine can be destroyed by running too cold as well as too hot. That's also why I believe a decarb. is in order.<br /><br />The t-stats on a crossflow V-4 are not fun to replace, but it's doable by the average wrench.<br /><br />I don't think a 9.9 or 15 kicker would have much effect on a 20' hull, as far as weight and list goes.

 

[thehermit]

Re: keep old or buy new???? Evinrude 115

ok thanks all for the posts...djohns19, freshing up is indeed in order and I will attemp to tackle the Tstats...at which point you will probobly be hearing from me again I guess its time to start hunting for a 9.9 <br /><br />Fish ON!