powerheads

lanierspots

Recruit
Joined
Dec 25, 2009
Messages
1
Lookoing at buying a used bass boat. I've researched about used engines but have a question. 1) What is the powerhead and 2) If an engine is supposed to last 1500 hours why do I keep on seeing boats with replaced powerheads at 200 hours:
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: powerheads

Howdy, spots.

Welcome to iboats. :)

The "powerhead" is usually a short block of the engine. . .minus drive train, carbs, etc.

A well cared for outboard will last a lot longer than 1500 hours.

I have never seen an outboard wear out. They suffer abuse or neglect or a part fails.

The most common form of abuse is that they keep getting used even after they show signs of needing service.
 

rodbolt

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 1, 2003
Messages
20,066
Re: powerheads

why replaced at 200 hours? dunno, my 175 E-TEC tossed a connecting rod through the block at 15 hours.
the BRP warrenty was suberb.
my neighbors 200 E-TEC has close to 1000 trouble free hours.
he uses his a lot more than I use mine.
also look at the usage pattern on most bass boats.
while that engine can scream at WOT for hours the cooling and fuel systems MUST be kept in top shape.
look how many Nascar racers use stabil and last years spark plugs and 3 to 6 year old cooling syatem components.
hours are not all we look at,age also plays a part.
I can show you a 24 grady with a F225 2003 model yamaha.
boat holds right at 200 gallons of gasoline.
I personnally installed the engine in the spring of 03.
motor still hasnt hit the 30 hour mark and nothing has ever been done maint wise.
my bet with the forklift driver is this spring it will pop a piston in the spring of 2010 unless we do somethinng with it and its not gonna be cheap.
 

coolguy147

Commander
Joined
Jul 14, 2008
Messages
2,817
Re: powerheads

also look at the previous owner. did he take care of it? how does he take care of other things? his own maint. or the dealer?
 
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