Is it worth buying a motor with low compression?

[ringorock]

Seems like these things can be had for pretty good prices. I am mechanically included. I'm not a mechanic by trade, but I've never not been able to fix my cars, even complicated repairs. Is there any reason why I'd want too steer clear of one with low compression?

 

[tpenfield]

Cost of parts may be a deterrent, even though your mechanical skills would be fine.

 

[Crosbyman]

condition condition condition... well kept engine overall or full of mice P&S



. if low comp is a blown headgasket .....easy decision

if unequal comp. could be just the gasket

peek inside with a small fiberscope camera .... see scarring on the walls ?? or does it look clean


maybe the seller will let you open the cyl head (it is to his advantage to find the cause) on the smaller engines it is no big deal

 

[Scott Danforth]

depends......
some johnyrude motors are prone to rings breaking, taking out the bores and pistons.......
some may be stuck rings from sitting......
some may be collapsed pistons and egg shaped bores from over-heating.....

 

[havoc_squad]

Simply put, its not cost effective for the average Joe who doesn't work on this for a living to buy all the specialty tools required AND the very expensive parts to do a full rebuild of a motor from top to bottom. (Assuming all holes must be bored oversized or sleeved and the machine shop work is done by someone else)

If you get a remanufacturered powerhead from a reputable builder that provides a solid warranty, many are actually fairly competitive in price with what it takes to do it.

Sure, you could hit the lottery in buying a motor with low compression and using a scope camera to see what it might be. However 98% of the time as said above its a broke ring, overheat damage, etc that requires expensive work.

 

[oldboat1]

No idea what motor you are referencing, but $40 or $50 for a parts motor might be a good offer. Find a replacement powerhead.

 

[gm280]

Bottom line is, every engine is repairable. It all depends on how much money you are willing to spend to get that engine running tip top. So the actual answer is, it depends on the individual engine and how it looks, if you should buy it or not.

 

[Crosbyman]

Simply put, its not cost effective for the average Joe who doesn't work on this for a living to buy all the specialty tools required AND the very expensive parts to do a full rebuild of a motor from top to bottom. (Assuming all holes must be bored oversized or sleeved and the machine shop work is done by someone else)

If you get a remanufacturered powerhead from a reputable builder that provides a solid warranty, many are actually fairly competitive in price with what it takes to do it.

Sure, you could hit the lottery in buying a motor with low compression and using a scope camera to see what it might be. However 98% of the time as said above its a broke ring, overheat damage, etc that requires expensive work.

I have restored a dozen and some probably a hundred back to life at minima costs . it is not all that bad in the small engine world... big engines , electronics , I agree small stuff , magnetos,...easy fix

 

[He rik]

For me its easy, not especially outboard more in general, No!...unless I need it for spare parts and got it cheap.

If I got a engine that suddenly lost comp. I would certanly rebuilt it but then I already got it and know the history, you know what you got, and to buy a working replacement-engine may end up in the same repair anyway

So, no, I wouldent, better spend what a working motor cost and maybe end up in the same situation in a while but, then you know if the rest is worth the repaircost since you had it for some time.

 

[racerone]

There are many folks on KIJIJI / Craiglist looking for outboard motors in any condition.-----Must be worth fixing if you get enuff of them and cheap.

 

[Crosbyman]

all my 50-75 CDN $ oldies on kijiji just needed coils point plug wires condensers impellers, carb kits but mostly a good carb clean-up & elbow grease and all are alive and well sold off six this summer approx $150 CDN refurbished just to recoup my money and buy more oldies (mid 50s to early 70s)

 

[ringorock]

Thanks, everyone. I don't think I'll be taking this boat out until next season, so I'll be patient and wait around.