Outboards and salt water

[metriccrescentwrench]

I'm thinking about purchasing a used outboard engine (1993 model) which I think was probably used in salt water. What kinds of things should a potential buyer be looking for in this situation?

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Outboards and salt water

In a word......corrosion.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Outboards and salt water

So if the skeg etc. is in good shape and corrosion free would it be too much of a stretch to make an educated guess that the internal cooling passages are likely in good condition?

 

[dingbat]

Re: Outboards and salt water

So if the skeg etc. is in good shape and corrosion free would it be too much of a stretch to make an educated guess that the internal cooling passages are likely in good condition?

You can't tell a book by its cover and there even more truth to the saying when dealing with salt run motors.

The water passages are the first thing that goes. My motor looks almost new (1997 Ocean Pro) yet the corrosion inside the water passages is pushing extreme. Twice in the last 3 years I had leaks at the heads due to severe corrosion of the block where the heads bolt on. At this point the only thing holding this motor together is JB weld, which I used in an attempt to seal the gasket area back up, sealer on the head gaskets and prayers at this point.

At a bare minimum, pull the stats and take a look at the condition of the water passages. If they look even remotely suspect, pull a head to take a look.

 

[allpoints360]

Re: Outboards and salt water

I do think the skeg and general appearance of a motor are a good indication of the care it's been given.

Most manufacturers have saltwater series motors now. If the motor has been cared for, flushed and maintained, it can last a very long time.

Be careful it hasn't just been given a fresh coat of paint.

 

[lprizman]

Re: Outboards and salt water

good advice above,,also do a compression test,,I do not think this was mentioned

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Outboards and salt water

Metric, You are considering buying a 16 year motor. Just how long do you expect it to last? We had to give away my wife's '93 T-bird, and it was kept on dry land.

Make sure it is priced as a 16 year old motor, and go with it. BTW- contrary to the opinion of a lot of the folks on this forum, outboards are pretty resistant to the effects of salt water. The blocks are aluminum, a lot of the fasteners are SS and the drive, shift and prop shafts are SS. The electronics are well sealed, and if you flush the motors with freshwater, they last until they fail due to poor maintenance.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Outboards and salt water

You don't say what HP and I wonder if all things being equal, small motors hold up better than large? Anyway, I'd buy a real old 9 horse but would be reluctant to buy an old 200 horse, due to cost/risk analysis.

My experience is in all saltwater, and high salt at that. You want to get one that has been run a lot. the salt motors with low hours/high years are the worse; it seems that flushing with salt is better than sitting. And be skeptical if the seller says he has always fresh-water flushed for 16 years. Few people keep that disclipline as the motors age.

My opinion is that all OB motors can handle salt water. However, a car from New Jersey will age faster than one from Arizona due to salt.

 

[tboltmike]

Re: Outboards and salt water

My Johnnie is 35 years old and used 99% in salt water, but isn't used but maybe 15 hours a year (something I hope to improve upon). It is hose flushed after every use and at least once a month if to launched.

I have never had any overheating issues or leaks, but other than the lower unit, I have never been in the cooling system. therefore, I may be ignorant as to what might be going on.

However, the bolts holding the lower unit on to the trunk have had corrosion products in the deep socket holes and there has been corrosion on the adapter plate that guides the water lines to the pump.

So if the motor hasn't sat in saltwater with lower unit down, is flushed out, and stored properly should have minimal corrosion. I think the trim tab is a sacrificial annode, there may be others. See how it looks. See if the seller is willing to drop the lower unit. Look for cracks around bolt channels or other stress points.

Mike

 

[dingbat]

Re: Outboards and salt water

You don't say what HP and I wonder if all things being equal, small motors hold up better than large? Anyway, I'd buy a real old 9 horse but would be reluctant to buy an old 200 horse, due to cost/risk analysis.

I don't think that the smaller motors hold up any better, but the number of hours people put on large motors compared to small motors is a definitely a factor.

A good case in point is the post right above this one. His motor is 35 years old. If he averages 15 hours a year as he says you?re looking at 525 hours to date, My motor is 12 years old and has 2162 hours on it.

Think that motor will have any corrosion 105 years from now?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Outboards and salt water

Many people have said as long as it has been flushed with fresh water..... really that is an unknown to the new owner....the seller may say anything.

I would really pay attention to obvious maintenance.... has the impellar been changed recently? Look closely at the bolts on the powerhead and look for signs that they have been removed. Check the compression too...... while the plugs are out peek into the cylinder and look at the carbon build up.

It's all about care of the motor...... proper care and it will run for a long time.

 

[tubatooter1940]

Re: Outboards and salt water

I lost a Johnson 8hp motor that ran great but corrosion made it impossible to pull the shaft and replace the water pump. I had had great service from it for 10 years (in salt water) but had to throw it away because the shaft wouldn't budge.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Outboards and salt water

I had to give up my 1964 18 Fastwin (100% salt, never flushed) a few years ago b/c we couldn't get bolts loose to work on it. But I gto almost 40 years out of it.