Evinrude 110HP in pieces - will it ever run again

[i ski]

Hi all,

I recently restored a boat to nearly new condition, but I am not much of a motorhead. I knew one of the pistons was bad (you can see it in the pic below) so I took it to a shop to have it replaced and whatever else it needed. They tore the engine apart to get it out, then told me they couldn't get the part and even if they did, they couldn't guarantee the engine would ever run again and they gave it back to me in pieces.

I just found the piston and a complete gasket kit online for a total of $145 without a lot of searching - I don't know why they couldn't get it.
Anyway, I don't have all the special tools that I would guess are necessary to get the engine back together. Do you think a shop could get it together or is it now a lost cause?

It is a 1988 or 1989 Evinrude 110HP, V4, 2 cycle. The model is wither E110MLCCA or E110IILCCA (hard to read). Is it even worth trying to get back together? I could probably get it back together with the tools I have, but I don't have the special engine stuff that is shown in the Clymer shop manual. Is this a possibility? Would I have a chance at getting it to run if I tried it myself? Since it's a 2 cycle, there's not much to it and I've done some work on small engines before. What do you think?

Thanks.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Evinrude 110HP in pieces - will it ever run again

Pictures didn't come up.

Did the shop give a specific reason why they didn't recommend rebuilding the motor other than not being able to get the part?

 

[firestormpro]

Re: Evinrude 110HP in pieces - will it ever run again

DId they charge you for tearing it down? we used to have a radio repair shop up the road that never fixed anything unless it real simple they would just tear your stuff apart tell you it could not be fixed and charge you for doing it nice easy money. I have been a mechanic my entire life on all kinds of equipment from lawn mowers to deisel truck there is very little that cannot be fixed but often the bill exceeds the value of the equipment. There are lots of shops out there I would never take anything to get a second opinion and make sure you get a list of what is wrong. I have told lots of customers over the years that what they have is not worth fixing in my opinion some agree others have me fix it anyhow value like beauty is in the beholder. Perhaps they figured it would be better for them to sell you one of their engines rather than fix yours my boss would much rather sell you a new RV but we will still fix your old one if need be. Just my 2 cents worth

 

[iwombat]

Re: Evinrude 110HP in pieces - will it ever run again

If you toasted a piston it could very well be they were looking for an oversize and couldn't find it. I can't imagine it'd be hard to find a set of oversized pistons for that model year though.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Evinrude 110HP in pieces - will it ever run again

Anything and everything for a V4 crossflow powerhead is readily available. We'd assume (pics don't come up) that a ring broke on the starboard side. If so, that's very typical of a crossflow that's being lugged. Even if a sleeve is cracked there are replacement sleeves. Oversize pistons are available up to .064" oversize.

Ask the dealer exactly what wasn't available. We'll let you know where to get "it" and you can edcuate the dealer.

 

[alden135]

Re: Evinrude 110HP in pieces - will it ever run again

I don't know where you live, but I'd be looking for a machine shop that works on outboards rather than that dealer.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Evinrude 110HP in pieces - will it ever run again

Give the motor to me... I'll make it run again!

Seriously, DHadley is right. The Crossflow V4s are about the easiest motor to find ANY part for. I suspect you have either a lazy shop who aren't interested in your business, or a guy who hasn't updated his parts books since 1970... Try a different shop....

- Scott

 

[i ski]

Re: Evinrude 110HP in pieces - will it ever run again

Thanks everyone - you people rock!!!

I thought it was a lost cause, but it seems to be the general consensus that a good shop could get it back together.
As for your questions, answers are as follows:

Did the shop give a specific reason why they didn't recommend rebuilding the motor other than not being able to get the part?
The shop gave no reason other than not being able to get the piston. When I went to get it, I got the feeling that they didn't know what they were talking about and probably shouldn't be taking anything apart. I think I was taken.

Did they charge you for tearing it down?
Yes - $100. I figured that for the time they put into it, it would have cost me that anyway at a dealer that really does know what they're doing, so I paid it.

I did find the parts on the net - a complete gaskit kit and replacement piston, so I know they are readily available. Again, I feel like I have been taken for a ride (and it wasn't in my boat!!!).

I'll take the pieces around to the shops in my area (Atlanta, GA) and see if someone might be willing to tackle it.

As for the pics, I attempted to upload them from jpg format. Do they have to be something different (gif, tif)?

Thanks again to everyone.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Evinrude 110HP in pieces - will it ever run again

I think you were taken too. Find another shop. First thing they (or you) should do is a full parts inventory to make sure the first guys didn't misplace anything.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Evinrude 110HP in pieces - will it ever run again

If you don't feel comfortable with nearby shops, let me know. There are plenty of good rebuilders near you that you can send the powerhead to to be rebuilt or get parts from. Mar-Fab in Tennessee does excellent machine work and rebuilding. I would strongly suggest using someone like them for at least the machine work.

 

[coachbrent]

Re: Evinrude 110HP in pieces - will it ever run again

Did you find a shop in Atl area? I have the same engine and may need work done.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: Evinrude 110HP in pieces - will it ever run again

this is another really old thread....