Merc out of the water for a while.

[kdanjou]

Hi, I'm looking to possibly purchase a 21ft Cobalt (CC) that was made back in 1989, with a 7.4 Litre (Non Magnum) Mercruiser with a bravo one drive. Couple of things.....<br /><br />1) What is everones opinion of this engine?<br />2) This boat hasn't been in the water or fired for a minimum of 6 years. I know the owner and how dedicated he was to protecting his investment. He always winterized it according to the service manuals, but again it's been at least 6 years since being turned over. The engine has less than 130 hours total on it. I am wondering what peoples opinions would be of how well the engine would respond to being started and used and what problems there may be to get going and out on the lake. Or if I should just take it in to be rebuilt and what the price tag on something like that may be.<br /><br />Any help would be appreciated.

 

[thunderroad]

Re: Merc out of the water for a while.

Personally, I wouldn't just assume that the engine needs to be rebuilt. I'd make it prove to me that it was bad. I recently bought a boat that hadn't been started in 4 years myself. I did all the basic things you do to an engine that hasn't been run and it fired right up and seems to run fine. It's a 69 Mercruiser 160 so I'm sure it has substantially more wear than the one you describe.

 

[vipzach]

Re: Merc out of the water for a while.

Ask your friend if you can take it to the lake and try it. I would pull the plugs, squirt some oil in the pistons and crank the motor over a few times. Put it back together with some fresh gas and see what happens. The motor doesn't have to be rebuilt just because it sat, unless it has water(rust) in it.

 

[tommays]

Re: Merc out of the water for a while.

if its worth buying its worth spending the money needed to get it to the point of a water test<br /><br /><br />it could be fine or be a money pit beyond its value the bravo drive is great BUT if it has problems there big dollar problems<br /><br />tommays

 

[kdanjou]

Re: Merc out of the water for a while.

I'm not worried about taking it a lake and trying it, I would be happy attaching a water hookup and running it in the driveway. I know for a fact (since the owner is my dad and I helped him winterize it the last time) that we quicksilver "fogged" it before we shut it off, also that we put antifreeze in the water lines so hopefully there won't be tons of rust (enough to require replacement of parts anyway). Also, all the drive lube was don't "by the book" so I'm don't worry as much with that except possibly the seals. As a late at Merc Customer service said, if the prop will turn, you know the shafts inside the drive aren't seized. <br /><br />Thank you for your replies so far. But please feel free to add your two cents....

 

[vipzach]

Re: Merc out of the water for a while.

If you can get to the plugs, pull them out and put a little marvel mystery oil in them and crank the motor. Get some fresh gas and see what happens. You will probly need a good tune up, but if taken care of previously, you probly have a good boat. OH and change the oil and filter.

 

[QC]

Re: Merc out of the water for a while.

I would check the raw water pump too. After 6 years that impeller is probably not real flexible . . . But I agree with everybody else, especially after hearing the comments about the winterizing. I bet it will start right up, but I'd do the other stuff first just to be safe. If you don't do the pump I would check for water flow out the prop or thru hull exhaust immediately after it fires.

 

[Mahoney]

Re: Merc out of the water for a while.

I myself recieved a cobalt but with a 225 GM in it thathadn't been started in 5 years with water sitting in the intake manifolds to boot. purrs like a kitten now, no rebuild, just tune up with all noew parts.

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: Merc out of the water for a while.

Change all the oils----drive, engine, and trim.<br />Check for any signs of water in all above.<br />Fire it up and go.