Thats it... the graveyard it is...

jonathankent

jonathankent

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Had some bad news today regarding my Evinrude 4hp.... its [--word removed--].... completely seized - water has somehow managed to get into the cylinder and completely destroyed it. Apparently, probably been worsening over time, but could have been down to someone turning it upside down without thinking or the head gasket leaking water into the cylinder.... anyway its had it. This has probably been like it ever since I bought it with the boat last July... it struggled to push the boat through any sort of tide/swell and have been advised it shouldn't have had a problem... now it is believed 1 of the 2 cylinders had the water in all the time and reducing the engines capabilities... only now I haven't turned it over for 8 months it has managed to seize completely solid. Well, the upside.. I am going to completely disassemble it just for the experience and what the mechanics look like /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Just be careful anyone else who may not be aware of the potential damage with a little water /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif.

Anyway, I will now have to look for a cheap secondhand one. What does the forum reccomend? It is primarily for the tender, but would like it to be a backup to the main on the yacht if needs be. I am stuck in the middle about 2 or 4 strokes. I like the convenience of the 4 stroke, i.e. no oil to add, but there again have read many positive articles/threads about the 2 strokes. What would you advise me for my intended use?

Cheers guys.

p.s. anyone want a spares/repair outboard? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif ... no seriously, the casing, shaft, prop, fuel tank, etc are all perfectly fine... could be of use to someone.
 
I'd vote for the Tohatsu 3.5 2 stroke - it's lightweight (13kg from memory), practically bombproof and economical unless you give it full welly.

Ideal on the tender and pushes my Snadragon 24 along at close to 4kts in smooth water. Not so good when the water's bumpy, 'cos the short shaft (what you need for the dinghy) is too short for the boat.

Around £350 new. I'm always leery of small second hand OBs. You might get lucky, but IMHO, there's usually a good reason why they're for sale.
 
I also have a 4hp evinrude that has just suffered a big failure - crankshaft splines stripped out. If you manage to strip it down that far I need a new crank???????
 
Re: That\'s it... the graveyard it is...

Best just sell him the leg, less chance of damage or watching the springs fly across the workshop. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
JMKENT, Littlejohn, Stop mucking about, go and buy a new Tohatsu 3.5 two stroke before "The Deadline" . Or summat similar. Unless you are dab hands at dabbling about with outboard disabilities.

Or as Dog Watch says "Just sell him the bottom half"
Cos if it goes to Court He won,t have a leg to stand on! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Taken everyone's point.... but, I can't afford to go and spend £350 now on a new engine.... I would like it if peeps could suggest which of the older/cheaper secondhand ones might be any good, e.g. I see some in the paper/boatsandoutboards for 50-60 quid... more in my price range at the minute, but don't know which makes/models would be best to look at.
 
If you can find an used Evi could be a good idea as per Gordonmc,s comment.
How old is the lump?

Yamaha "Malta" is a good model. Would go for a Jap 2 stroke personally.
Buying a used outboard can be "pot luck"
If you find one you like give the engine a good "road test" before parting with any dosh. Run it up to working temperature, make sure there,s a good flow of coolant water piddling out+ make sure it idles ok when warm.

A properly set up and well maintained outboard should start by the third pull.
So if a seller try,s to flog you one and goes blue in the face pulling the string, there,s something up with it! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Buy a copy of "Boat Mart" There,s a couple of big outboard dealers that usually advertise in it. Ones called"Oakleys" can,t remember the other one.
If you buy a used one from a dealer at least you should have some back up although you may pay a bit more.
 
Chances of finding a similar one in good nick ,at that age would seem a bit slim.
Snag with older small outys is they suffer more from lack of use, than actually being worn out through high use.

I,d rather buy one off a seller that confirms the eng has been to The Nile and back. Not a "hardley ever used it in the last 5years mate" example!
 
JMKENT I have just ordered a 3.5 Tohatsu to replace my Evinrude but as I have now lost 3 weekends sailing I want to keep another outboard as backup. If I were you I would do as someone else said and get another Evinrude 4hp so that you have the first for spares.
Otherwise sell the evinrude complete for spares (I am in the market) and put money toward a Tohatsu!
 
Well, I have stripped it all down... everything, not a bolt left in it... lets hope it goes back as easy as it came apart /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. It actually isn't too bad, and came apart surprisingly easy and isn't too seized... a little clean up and renewal and I'm hoping it will be OK once again /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.

So renew all seals, gaskets, gear oil & water impeller. It will probably be better than it was when I got it... this way everything will be replaced and all the crap cleaned through.

My question now.... does anyone know anywhere, probably mail order, that I can get a full new set of all gaskets/seals for it? I can go down to my local place, but there is a fair chance they will have to order in and could be quicker/cheaper if I do it myself. I would have liked to have it running for the week away next week, but that might not be possible now, but I will try.
 
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