Replace with older motor?

[stratos92]

I am a newbie and recently bought a boat and now the motor needs replaced (I am learning the hard way. The boat is a 92 stratos fish/ski (17.75'/1350#) with a 91 evinrude (needs replaced). The maximum motor size for the boat is a 150hp. I found an 85 Yamaha 115 that a dealer took in on trade, that I am told has excellent compression and is in excellent mechanical shape. The motor comes with the controls and ss prop for $1500.

First off...is this a good motor or one to be wary of and second...in your opinion is this a good price?

I am not sure about going backwards with the age of the motor, but if it is in excellent shape I would hate to pass it up simply because of its age.

Any help you guys can give about what to look for, what to watch out for and any general advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Replace with older motor?

First question: What happened to the existing motor that requires its replacement? You can do a significant amount of repair for $1500. Second question: Is the dealer that has the Yamaha the same one that told you your engine needs replacing? If so, I would be very suspicious about the "replacement issue". Anyone that tells you the engine is in good shape requires that you actually "believe them". So your response (if you are serious about the motor) is to say "prove it". You ALWAYS want to hear an engine run or better yet, have it on a boat so you can test run it. Recognizing that's not always possible, and since this motor is in the hands of a dealer, you should get a "performance guarantee" that the motor actually is in the condition they say it is. Then and only then can you be sure it is what you expect. If you know nothing about outboards, by all means take someone with you that does. Unless you protect yourself, you are very likely to be taken advantage of again. As for Yamaha being a good engine the answer is Yes. But like anything mechanical, one person can turn a perfectly good motor into scrap in an hour while someone else can use the same exact engine for 20 years with no issues. Your question therefore cannot be answered with any assurance. Only you can determine that engines condition.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Replace with older motor?

What's wrong with the evinrude? Does it have low compression or what? It could be as simple as a bad head gasket.
You really should get a second opinion on the evinrude before you abandon it, unless is has an obvious problem like a hole in the block or something.
JBJ

 

[stratos92]

Re: Replace with older motor?

The evinrude does have low compression...but also has a cracked piston and a small hole in the block. A new powerhead will run about 3300 plus labor so I am looking to find a suitable replacement at a reasonable price since this is my first boat and I have only been able to use it a few times.
The dealer with the motor is a different dealer than the one that diagnosed the evinrude. He is out of town, about 3 hours away. I found this motor online and have talked to him on the phone only about the motor. I did not ask about a guarantee as I figured due its age they would sell it as is only. I will have to ask him about that. I know that the yamaha is not on a boat, as it was a trade-in. I do plan to have him run it and check the compression again before I make a final decision, but I don't want to travel up there until I decide whether I it is a motor that I should consider. I wanted to check here and get some opinions on whether this motor was worth looking at or if its age should be a deterrent.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Replace with older motor?

I would actually rather go with an older engine, back then they didn't use alot of plastic and computers didn't control the engine, they are really basic engines.

One thing to consider is if that price includes controls, cables and the control box could easily add a few huindred bucks to the deal and no, your Evinrude controls won't work on it.

Something else is, is that the only Yamaha dealer around you, a 3 hour drive for parts could get old fast.

As far as the engine itself if it was taken care of it shoud be a really good one, if Yamaha know anything it is 2 strokes and those were pretty good engines, there just weren't alot of them which is another thing that would worry me is getting parts.

I opersonnaly would keep looking till I found an Evinrude/Johnson, parts will always be available and there is just alot more of them.

My 2 pennies.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Replace with older motor?

Depending on the abilities of welders in your area, the hole in the existing engine block can be repaired thus salvaging the block. If the cylinders are ok, replace the one piston, install new rings and REBUILD THE CARBS. A lean conditiion due to fouled carbs is the likely cause of the problem. Get a second opinion on the existing engine.

 

[mr 88]

Re: Replace with older motor?

You may want to post any questions about the Yamaha engine on the dedicated Yamaha etc forum, or use the search engine on that same page.I do not own a Yamaha outboard but I have owned at least 10 racing bikes made by them in the last 11 years both 2 stroke and 4 stroke engines.They are bullit proof when they are maintained and even when abused in many cases.Hands down the most reliable engine in MX.

 

[stratos92]

Re: Replace with older motor?

I talked to a company today that said they could rebuild my evinrude and give me a 1 year warranty for for about $3500. I am just not sure if it is worth it to spend over 3k on a 1991 motor.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Replace with older motor?

I would never invest $3500 on a rebuild at all, but surely not with anyone I didn't totally trust. Although a 1 year warranty sounds more than reasonable, getting them to make good on their warranty when it breaks may be difficult if not impossible. There's a million excuses they will use to get out of it.
I would look for a good used powerhead, or consider the yamaha for 1500 if I were you. If the dealer with the yamaha would give you a 30day guarantee on the yamaha, I'd buy it.
JMO,
JBJ

 

[stratos92]

Re: Replace with older motor?

Silvertip,
I think I am going to take your advice and have a second mechanic look at the motor. I found a small shop about 20 miles from home that was recommended by someone in the marine department at BPS. I talked with the owner today and he said that if it does need a rebuild, he could do it for about $1900. He said he would rebuild the carbs, replace the water pump, disconnect the vro and rebuild the powerhead with all new pistons, rings, etc. and will warranty his work. I think I am going to take the boat to him to look over and give me a second opinion. Are there any specific questions I should ask or other things I should consider? I think if I can have the evinrude rebuilt for under $2000 that I might be better off than replacing it with another used motor.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Replace with older motor?

There's no way to tell if your block is salvageable without tearing it down. Have you priced the teardown with the mechanic? You could be paying for a teardown and get nothing in return but a bill.
It may well be that it's NOT salvageable. Does the new mechanic have a cheap block for sale?

Just my opinion, but I believe a good used block for your evinrude is the best bet if you could find one. Also, the yamaha shouldn't be overlooked due to it's age; Yamahas are well built motors. A quick look at the skeg of the yamaha might tell you a lot, as would it's service record if it has one.
You'll not only still have a used motor after a rebuild, but a used motor with a lower unit in unknown condition which has a $2000 powerhead on it that was rebuilt by someone you don't know at all. If it's not done right, it won't last anytime.
Letting someone else look at it is for sure a good idea......
BTW, you never mentioned the horsepower of your evinrude... What is it?
Good luck,
JBJ

 

[stratos92]

Re: Replace with older motor?

The evinrude is a 150 hp. The boat is rated for a 115-150 hp. The mechanic did tell me that he will have to tear it down to be sure it is salvageable, but didn't say anything about having another used powerhead. He said that it would be about $200 to tear the motor down, but that it will not be charged as long as the powerhead is rebuildable and he does the rebuild. I just hate to go out and buy another powerhead if this one is ok. I am so confused about what to do with this motor. What would cause this powerhead not to be salvageable? Boating isn't as glamorous as I once thought.