late 80's Mariner 30HP Electric Start

[jasonejasone]

Hi all! I've been over in the Evinrude forums asking for help fixing up an old 1972 Evinrude Sportwin 9.5HP motor, but I can't get the dang thing to start... and can't find anyone in my area to work on it!

So I am looking at alternatives... one of which is a late 80's Mariner 30HP with electric start. I don't know the exact year, model #, etc. because the seller has it stored at his parents' house and can't get out there until Friday.

I am going to bring gas and a water barrel with me when I go look at it so I can actually SEE that this thing starts before I buy it.

What I am hoping this community can give me is a general opinion on these motors.

Are they generally pretty reliable? Are they known to be absolute dog crap motors that break down often?

Let me know what you guys think.

I'll be investing only about $400 in this motor if it runs, FYI.

I'd also appreciate you folks sharing anything specific I might want to check or look for when evaluating this motor in person.

Thanks in advance for any and all help you can offer!!!

 

[flyingscott]

probably a Yamaha built motor. Good motor parts availability could benan issue.

 

[jasonejasone]

probably a Yamaha built motor. Good motor parts availability could benan issue.

Do believe you're right.

After looking at about six different websites to determine the year, it's a 1986 30EL model. Mariner decals on the cowl, but you can see the Yamaha stamps on the transom mount, so I think that's a good call on your part.

I got it started before I gave the guy the money, so I know this thing runs.

It started up almost immediately again today, but I noticed it wasn't pumping water so I shut it off very quick. It wasn't running during either of those test starts for more than about five seconds max, so I don't think it damaged anything.

I've got some seafoam to run through it, and I'm going to get some new plugs today... but I think it at minimum needs an impeller since it is pumping zero water. Water inlets look good, I don't think there's any clogging anywhere.

Can anyone confirm there is no water outlet under the rear side of the cowl? I think the only water outlet is in the back of the lower unit housing a few inches below the bottom of the cowl. I don't see ANY other holes anywhere near the bottom of the cowling, so my assumption is that there's no water outlet that comes out of the bottom side of the cowling.

Hopefully I'm not crazy or missing something obvious!!!

Any general tips / info you folks could offer on things this motor typically struggles with?

Thanks!