What to look for in used Yamaha 90?

GlasV162

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 27, 2006
Messages
303
Hi all,
I have a tired old 1990 90 hp Evinrude and am debating whether to rebuild the powerhead on that for about $1600.00 or pay the asking price of $5,000 on a 2006 Yamaha 90 2 stroke with controls. It has approx. 2 hrs. running time on it, according to its owner and the dealer who sold it to him--still running double oil (premix and injection). Right now the motor isn't on a boat, and I'm wondering what to check for before I make an offer on this motor. Thanks for the help.
 

triumphrick

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 26, 2008
Messages
1,737
Re: What to look for in used Yamaha 90?

The 3 cyl Yamahas are great motors. My first new motor was an '86 90 and I ran that motor often and hard for ten years. Put plugs, lower unit oil, and impellers in it every other year and NEVER touched the oil injection, carbs, lower unit or anything.

With that new of a motor they ought to offer some warranty that should cover anything you may encounter after purchase. Those motors are great on fuel mileage as well. Good luck, you can't go wrong! :)
 

Dunaruna

Admiral
Joined
May 2, 2003
Messages
6,027
Re: What to look for in used Yamaha 90?

If the motor is on a suitable stand, it is not difficult to get her running. A battery, fuel tank and rubbish bin full of water. (assuming the control box is within plug in range).

You need to see comp tests and see the a good stream of water out the pisser. It should fire up easily after pumping the bulb.
 

noelm

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 8, 2005
Messages
761
Re: What to look for in used Yamaha 90?

pretty simple motor that gave very little trouble, some had over heating problems over about 4,000RPM but this was due to water passges being salted up, I doubt that a new motor would suffer this, why are they selling a basicaly new motor?
 

GlasV162

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 27, 2006
Messages
303
Re: What to look for in used Yamaha 90?

Hi,
He put the motor on an older checkmate and his wife didn't like it--didn't feel safe in it due to the low freeboard. Since then, he bought another boat with a newer 90 hp Merc, and he's happy with that setup so he's keeping it. He sold the Checkmate and all he has left is the Yamaha. One thing that concerns me is that it's been used in salt water, and he didn't flush it after each use; he only flushed it after he knew he wasn't going to use it again. Granted, he only used it 2-3 times--but is that enough to cause problems with salt buildup or corrosion? Thanks.
 

yamamarinetech40

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 17, 2006
Messages
328
Re: What to look for in used Yamaha 90?

Anyone who buys a used(don't care if for five minutes) outboard without running it on boat deserves whatever they get....so go ahead.
 

BaileysBoat

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 29, 2008
Messages
716
Re: What to look for in used Yamaha 90?

according to its owner and the dealer who sold it to him--still running double oil (premix and injection). Right now the motor isn't on a boat, and I'm wondering what to check for before I make an offer on this .

Why not make an offer subject to the above dealer, who you have already talked to, checking it out for you? Can't cost much. If the seller balks, walk!
Also see about the cost and availability of an extended warranty.

I'd want to be paying about 40% of the price of a new motor.
 
Top