Luck buying used outboards?

[NJCoastFlyFish]

Anyone have anything to share about how there experiences were with buying a used engine? <br /><br />Anyone buy one just to have it blow up a week later, or bring it home to find it wasn't what you thought it was?<br /><br />Anyone buy a used engine to have it work for another 10 years without a problem, 20 years?<br /><br />I don't know what to expect when buying used, thinking about just holding off and waiting until I have enough to buy new, maybe i'm too anxious to get into the water, all anyone seems to share about used engines are mostly horror stories, but then again this is an ouboard repair site, there are no my outboard is doing just fine sites-

 

[JB]

Re: Luck buying used outboards?

Like buying a used car, NJCFF.<br /><br />The more you know about the seller, the better.<br /><br />For every engine problem that gets discussed here there are a few hundred doing just fine.<br /><br />You wouldn't judge people by what you meet in jail, would you?

 

[NJCoastFlyFish]

Re: Luck buying used outboards?

Originally posted by JB:<br />You wouldn't judge people by what you meet in jail, would you?

HAha, good quote, I gotta remember that

 

[05GlastronSX]

Re: Luck buying used outboards?

i bought a used 1992 mercury 40 ELPTO 4 cylinder and its been great for the last 3-4 years. every year it fires right up and runs like a champ all year round. very strong and smooth runner too. I did not expect one thing and that was that it was going to be a 4 cylinder. I was shocked. That was definatly a benifit though.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Luck buying used outboards?

i've bought a 1955 15hp rude off ebay, the best motor i have ever had. and i bought a 2.5hp tanaka, air cooled 1973, in the original box, that started the 2nd pull,and has been great. bought a 73 50hp rude from a guy that i know took extreme care of it, and have had nothing but trouble. you never know.

 

[KYHunter]

Re: Luck buying used outboards?

If buying or looking to buy a used motor. I would get a compression guage , and check that for sure. Also if you buy one, and dont know for sure. When carbs, thermostats , water pump etc. were last serviced. I'd go over the whole fuel system , cooling system , change lower unit oil, rebuild carbs, new waterpump, and then new one, every 2-3 years. Be sure you have good even spark on all cylinders etc.<br /> You can also put in gear and turn prop by hand , feel for slop , etc. This may not be the most accurate lower unit check . But it has worked for me. <br /> As far as reading mainly negative comments about used motors. I'd guess its because , the people who bought good used motors, are out using them, and not posting how great their motor is. LOL.<br /><br /> Good-Luck,<br /> KYHunter

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Luck buying used outboards?

If the seller says "all it needs is __________" you had better run the other direction. Here the engine run and if possible, actually see how it performs on a boat. A dealer should not have a problem running a compression check while you watch. If buying from a private party, do a compression check. If they refuse, walk away. A banged up prop and skeg says the unit has hit bottom a few times. Pull the lower unit drain plug and if water comes out walk away or price the engine accordingly. In short, if you can't hear it run you are buying a potential problem.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Luck buying used outboards?

There are three main reasons to sell an outboard. Not appropriate for the present task, mechanical problems, need money. Watch out for the latter two. It's kinda rare to find the first.

 

[NJCoastFlyFish]

Re: Luck buying used outboards?

Originally posted by Upinsmoke:<br /> Pull the lower unit drain plug and if water comes out walk away or price the engine accordingly. In short, if you can't hear it run you are buying a potential problem.

Where would the drain plug be on the 89 john 70?<br /><br />This engine was bought be the guy last year to put on a boat he was trying to put together, but never got the time to actually get the boat in shape to get into the water so he just went out and bought another boat for the family, a meridian I think. <br /><br />I tried to get the history of the engine and will ask more, he said it's previous owner was a engineer and it was always flushed with freshwater after use, but I am going to watch it run and do a compression check.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Luck buying used outboards?

just traded my 50hp that i've had trouble with for a 135 hp merc.

 

[scotty c]

Re: Luck buying used outboards?

bought a 1986 - 60 hp johnny a few years back,<br />paid $1800 for the sucker, and it lasted 1 year.<br />the motor came from a shop and when the crank went, they threw up their hands and said<br />"oh well"<br />problem with buying used, you never know what your getting.

 

[scotty c]

Re: Luck buying used outboards?

bought a 1986 - 60 hp johnny a few years back,<br />paid $1800 for the sucker, and it lasted 1 year.<br />the motor came from a shop and when the crank went, they threw up their hands and said<br />"oh well"<br />problem with buying used, you never know what your getting.

 

[scotty c]

Re: Luck buying used outboards?

sorry for double post

 

[KYHunter]

Re: Luck buying used outboards?

There are two drain plugs on the lower unit . You cant miss them , they look like screws with a plastic washer behind them. Take the lower one out , and as suggested look at the oil. <br /> If it looks "milky" , or is real thin, more like water. I'd be real worried. Any time you change the lower unit oil , install new washers , as this is where alot of leaks are.<br /> <br /> Good-Luck,<br /> KYHunter

 

[roscoe]

Re: Luck buying used outboards?

05GlastronSX <br />Petty Officer 2nd Class <br />Member # 58331 <br /><br />Please read this link, you are invited !!<br /><br /> http://forums.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=20&t=013211#000000

 

[lark2004]

Re: Luck buying used outboards?

Scotty, you got burned bad. There are dealers out there that don't care, unfortunatly you found one. Not all Johnny/Rudes are like that. In fact there are very few problem motors when you consider how many hundreds of thousands of motors they produced are still out there running every day.<br /><br />Tashasdaddy, the 50 unfortunatly was not a good motor from the start. Had they made the 50 a triple, instead of the twin, it might have been a different story. But they didn't and as a result, the 50's were not anywhere near as reliable or long lived as the smaller hp bigtwin's. Every manufacturer has some problem motors.<br /><br />NJCFF the 70 was not a problem motor, they were a very good triple cylinder engine. Flushing the motor with fresh water is a must for any engine that gets run in saltwater. My big question would be how long has it been sitting in a garage waiting to go this project boat?<br /><br />If it has been sitting for any great length of time, then a new water pump would be needed, as well as possibly cleaning the carbs and putting new kits in them.<br /><br />Definatly do a compression test, you will want to see all the readings being within 10 - 15% of each other, and preferably above 100psi.<br /><br />And as others have already pointed out, check the lower unit oil. Also check the oil for metal fragments as well as water.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Luck buying used outboards?

Best used engine I ever bought, was a 1989 Johnson Special 28 HP. Bought it in 1991, only did regular maintenence and finally sold it cheap to a good friend last year, who now is using it regularly on his boat. Never had a days trouble with that motor. Bought it from a dealer.... Ya never know....

 

[NJCoastFlyFish]

Re: Luck buying used outboards?

The engine has been sitting for a year, I think he said when he first got it he put in a new water pump and carb kit but I will ask again, if not those are the first things to go!<br /><br />If I get the engine I plan on putting it in the basement and working on it and checking everything out before I put it on the boat.<br /><br />I have never touched lower unit oil or checked it, when I pull the plug is it going to start pouring out fast or is it thicker? If I check the oil is it customary to bring the guy some new oil to put in if I decide not to buy it or can I get away with just taking a little? Do I need a special tool to add the oil?

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Luck buying used outboards?

Bought a boat with a mid 90s mariner 4 cyl. 40 hp. Ran just fine until I tried to replace the water pump. Drive shaft was seized to the power head, no getting it unstuck. Fortunatly it was not a big investment. <br /> Now recommend making sure the lower unit can be dropped before buying. fred

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Luck buying used outboards?

njc, when you open the bottom screw on the lower unit. it won't take much for you to know if there is water. it settles to the bottom, don't lower unit check before it is started. if it's clearish like water, or milky, you now you need a reseal job. sitting a year that impellor might be dry and brittle.