The "FREE" outboard. Johnson 100 Hp

chrisnj

Seaman
Joined
May 8, 2013
Messages
70
I am getting a FREE outboard. The last free boating item cost me about $2000 once it was in the water.

But this one is a 1995-2000 (not sure of the year) Johnson 100HP Commercial Outboard that was never dogged.

Story goes like this. It was on a work boat that sunk in fresh water (motor not running) pulled out within a day. Hosed off. Plugs pulled and cylinders filled with oil.
I'm not sure if they sprayed it with electrical cleaner or not.
But then it was put up in storage for several years. So, it is currently not wet.

I've seen pics and it is clean and not beat up on the outside.. whatever that's worth.

Before I load it in the van we can hook up a battery and gas... hit the starter and see what happens.



I've looked up parts and they are available, but if I need to replace everything electronic that will cost me.

It looks like the power pack is the most expensive electronic part.

I guess this is a little bit of a common sense question, but I don't know outboard motors.
It is free, but its also 300 lbs and an hour away.

I know to clean any connectors and terminals with a little contact cleaner.

So, what do you think I should look for?
Test the compression?
Should I look in the gear oil?
Should I spray any contact cleaner in the power pack, coil, voltage regulator before starting it?

Is there any part that you all know will be shot, so I might as well bring one? Like a coil or some other part?

How about the controls? How universal are these?
 

boobie

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 5, 2009
Messages
20,826
Re: The "FREE" outboard. Johnson 100 Hp

If some one gave me that mtr I'd try to start it first and see what happens and then go from there.
 

1NewBoatGuy

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 9, 2013
Messages
94
Re: The "FREE" outboard. Johnson 100 Hp

Free is better than paid for in my book,
But I agree before sticking any money in to it see if it will start as is. If it starts go from there. You could be looking at an entire host of problems from it being submerged for a day (or longer).
 

rockyrude

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Sep 10, 2007
Messages
1,120
Re: The "FREE" outboard. Johnson 100 Hp

If it was not started after the dunking, you are most likely looking at a rusted crank and bearing journals.
 

boobie

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 5, 2009
Messages
20,826
Re: The "FREE" outboard. Johnson 100 Hp

Salt water yes but fresh water no.
 

Watermann

Starmada Splash of the Year 2014
Joined
Jan 12, 2013
Messages
13,747
Re: The "FREE" outboard. Johnson 100 Hp

If you do manage to get her fired up I would stand behind something. If it were me, I would snap it up, drag it home and tear it apart. If it's junk sell her for scrap and make some money off the lower unit too. I know if I was giving someone something for FREE and they showed up all picky, hesitant and wanted to hang around all day seeing if it was good enough to be a freebie then I would escort them off my property empty handed.
 

boobie

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 5, 2009
Messages
20,826
Re: The "FREE" outboard. Johnson 100 Hp

As said before, try and start it. You never know.
 

chrisnj

Seaman
Joined
May 8, 2013
Messages
70
Re: The "FREE" outboard. Johnson 100 Hp

If you do manage to get her fired up I would stand behind something. If it were me, I would snap it up, drag it home and tear it apart. If it's junk sell her for scrap and make some money off the lower unit too. I know if I was giving someone something for FREE and they showed up all picky, hesitant and wanted to hang around all day seeing if it was good enough to be a freebie then I would escort them off my property empty handed.

I have thought of that also. I got the impression from the guy that he would... Well he said in an email that he would do whatever needed to be done. Obviously within reason. But I got the impression that there are guys hanging there around looking for something to do.

Also, I say free but its almost free.

I don't want to give too many details because someone might poach my find. It has happened to me before.

Also there is another older 150 motor with controls there that I can have for almost free also.

I'd be picking it up in a minivan, so I can't take both and I don't have the means to store both. I don't really have the means to store one or part it out. I'll pretty much have the marina by my house put it on the boat if it starts.

Would the bearings get wet? Which bearings?

Maybe the marina might work on the second motor and take this one as trade, but I don't think they'd give me more than $100 credit. Unless they both start. I use the one with controls on my boat and give them the running commercial unit.
They would probably like that. But if the damn thing runs for 10 minutes I could probably sell it on ebay for $800 in a heartbeat.
Ebay is kaka-crazy with what people are getting for junk.
 

itsaboattime

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 4, 2007
Messages
791
Re: The "FREE" outboard. Johnson 100 Hp

Dude, free is free. Get it home, try and start it. If it runs and needs a lil work, your still money ahead. If it doesn't run, as said before, scrap it out and sell the lower unit and still be money ahead. You can tear it apart just about anywhere. As far as I see it, your money ahead either way.
After your done with the first motor, take the cash and go back and get the 150.
 
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