What to look for when buying a motor

[Scott100]

Hi-

I'm looking at a Tracker 40HP oil injected outboard on a Bass Tracker boat. I think this motor is made by mercury but not sure, anyway what should I look at on this motor? I plan to put muffs on it and crank it up of course, but what other things short of taking it to a mechanic? Someone told me to check the foot oil for water but not sure how to do this. Thanks.

 

[mikeneal]

Re: What to look for when buying a motor

There will be a large stainless steel screw on the foot towards the bottom that is drain/fill for the lower unit. Remove the screw and let some oil run on a clean white rag, you don't need much , less an an once. Should be golden if oil is fresh or black if needs changed (either one is OK). Bit, if it is milky or has a ton of metal in it then it is bad news.

Other things to check is a compression test, all cylinders should be ~ 10% of each other and >100 psi.

I would sea trial it, not just run on muffs, sea trail will show many things running on muffs never will. Make sure it will reach close to max RPMs at WOT.

Hi-

I'm looking at a Tracker 40HP oil injected outboard on a Bass Tracker boat. I think this motor is made by mercury but not sure, anyway what should I look at on this motor? I plan to put muffs on it and crank it up of course, but what other things short of taking it to a mechanic? Someone told me to check the foot oil for water but not sure how to do this. Thanks.

 

[Scott100]

Re: What to look for when buying a motor

Thanks alot for the info, I'll check it out.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: What to look for when buying a motor

The other thing to check is whether the power trim and tilt system (if equipped) works smoothly and reliably. Everything else is cheap to fix if it needs to be.