40 hp Merc, 1994

[LORDY611]

I am going to look at a '94 Merc 40 hp tonite. Seller says it likely has maybe 50 hrs total on it. 1st owner used 4 times, 30 mins each. Current owner used it one season on local river then upgraded to larger motor. I think he said it has been in his shed for 4 or 5 years after being dismounted and prepped for storage by a local shop where the new motor came from.
All I know about it is that it is electric start, remote steer, oil injected. It is bolted to a pallet for storage and easy moving.
Can anyone give me any insight what issues would/should be addressed before starting this motor? If I cant hear it run before buying (no controls) should I run away if it truly has so few hours? That part goes against my "show me" nature.
Also, having been a Johnson guy for 40 years, I dont really know what to look for. A little out of my element. Thanks in advance for any help here.

 

[jebeebe]

Re: 40 hp Merc, 1994

hi,
I would at least take the hood off and make sure the flywheel would turn. If the price is right I guess I'd take a chance. I would pull the lower unit of and put a new impeller in the pump, flush out the system and make sure mud dobbers hadn't built any nests in the intake or pee tube...............Jerry

 

[j442w30]

Re: 40 hp Merc, 1994

I have a 1993 40 hp Mercury, mine is a 4 cylinder with power trim and oil injection. If it has not been run in that long at the very least put a new impeller in the water pump and change the lower unit lube and run it on a 50:1 mix until you know the oil injection is working properly and you see the level in the oil tank go down. I'm pretty sure you're going to need to rebuild the carburetors and possibly the fuel pump, not to mention replace any fuel line that has deriorated. They're good engines, smooth and plenty of power, if the price is right I would go for it.

 

[LORDY611]

Re: 40 hp Merc, 1994

The current asking price is $1200. He said he has been trying to sell it for a month or so, starting at $1600. It is very clean, almost no paint off the skeg or prop. All the foam inside the cover is even intact. Not being able to hear it run seems to be a big obstacle for me. I guess I could roll the dice and have a shop do the carbs (assuming they really werent drained and fogged) and water pump, but that will add a good bit to the price, not to mention all the controls that I will need to come up with. The motor includes none, and my boat is without all that or even a console yet, so that will need to come regardless of what new motor I might get. Sounds like I might want to keep my pristine tiller steer pull start 30 Johnson after all.