Viewing used outboard - what do I look for? (to buy - no experience)

[maillme]

Hi there,

This weekend I am going to view some outboard engines for my small canal boat(s).

I dont have much experience of this, I currently have an outboard, suzuki 8hp but I got this brand new.

I am going to view:

1. A Mercury 4hp, 4-stroke, it is 10 years old, not been used on the water for 3 years but stored inside - apparently runs very smoothly.
2. A 6hp 2-stroke - not sure of brand yet or age.

I am just wondering what things I should look out for when viewing these...... I will be testing them in water, one most likely on the boat and the other stationery in a pool of water (the 4stroke).

Many thanks for any advice.
Neil

 

[gjgm]

I'd check the telltale water flow, and run it in gear up and down through the revs (boat can be tied up), and for a few minutes. Different opinions, but the USA and Japanese badges seem to get better reviews than some of the newer brands. One of your best tests is probably if you trust the seller and his story ! Even a decent o/b can need fresh fuel, a new sparkplug, an impeller or a jet cleaning. Most of that might be a few euros each...If you have a few spanners and some patience, the two stroke at least should be pretty simple to service yourself.
Dont forget to be sure you buy the right shaft length for the boat .

 

[dom]

Agree with all gigm says. Might also also be worth taking a look at the paint on the piston head which discolours if the engine overheats, I wouldn't touch an engine that has overheated. I'd also take a look at the gearbox oil in the bottom (blackish = fine, milky = oops!)

 

[Vitesse]

You could take note of the serial numbers and check exactly what the model years are online.

 

[maillme]

Thanks all.

Apologies but I really don't have any experience.

Telltale water flow? Is this see that the water is coming out at a decent rate / as expected?
Is the cyclin see head normally painted? I thought they were just grey / unpainted. This is the main metal chunk upright - right?
Where about would I find the gear oil reservoir? The bottom of the engine?

Thanks again
Neil

 

[Murv]

Isn't there anybody that can go with you?

Don't know if this guide will be of any help: http://www.worldseafishing.com/foru...enance/105889-buying-used-outboard-guide.html

 

[maillme]

Unfortunately not. Not that has this experience.

I trust the seller. But even so... Still like to know what to look at.

 

[kashurst]

all the above plus
2 stroke will smoke a little bit especially when cold
4 stroke shouldn't smoke (maybe a bit when cold)
pull the start cord yourself first with the engines cold and get a feel of how hard/easy it is to pull. Once the engine has been running for a good 10 - 15 minutes to get it nicely warmed up, stop it, disconnect the spark plug so it can't start, then try the pull starter again. If it feels really really easy to pull compared to when it was cold the motor is worn out. (found this one out the hard way). Restart it and see how the engine idles - 4 stroke should be fairly smooth, the 2 stroke might vary its speed a little but neither should stall or sound like they are about to stall. Best if you can do this with engine on a boat.

 

[maillme]

thanks kashhurst.....

When you say disconnect spark plug, do you just mean the electrical cable from it? (e.g. dont unscre the spark plug)?

thanks,
Neil

 

[gjgm]

Thanks all.

Apologies but I really don't have any experience.

Telltale water flow? Is this see that the water is coming out at a decent rate / as expected?
Is the cyclin see head normally painted? I thought they were just grey / unpainted. This is the main metal chunk upright - right?
Where about would I find the gear oil reservoir? The bottom of the engine?

Thanks again
Neil

Mercurey Mariner are Tohatsu anyway I think;Suzuki,Yamaha,Honda all these a big names. On a smaller 2 stroke, the water flow out of a little tube just under the cowling can be a bit weak, but it should at least be a stream and not droplets . On 4 stroke, they seem to usually have a more powerful squirt. This is the impeller pumping the cooling water round the engine block, and then an additional small exit tube to show you that the water is indeed flowing and so cooling the engine. If there isnt this water flow you will have trashed engine as it overheats.
Try youtube for what you are looking at.. the engines are either the same or very similar so the brand wont matter. Not sure he will want you to undo the oil plug unless you are going to fill it up again, but there is usually a big screw down at the bottom of the leg. If the oil is milky it means it has water in it which isnt good. Try looking up a 2 stroke o/board on the net.. the mechanics are very simple and crude, so there isnt that much to go wrong. If you know the guy and the engine seems fine then it probably is. As I said before, starting and running problems neednt mean anything major..just that it needs a service, but if it runs happily for a while (and open and close the throttle quickly to check it revs properly) it will probably be ok for another ten years !
Buying one from behind the bikeshed or motorway station isnt the place to buy and o/board !