Mint condition but........

[stan_deezy]

Apologies to JB if this is in the wrong place but here goes:<br /><br />I have been offerred an engine from a dealer that is in "mint condition" (second hand and I haven't seen it yet).<br /><br />The dealer then said "but the prop could do with being replaced"<br /><br />Hmmm, kind of makes me wonder about the phrase "mint condition" <br /><br />What I'm wondering is surely there is a possibility of other damage to lower unit seals, bearings (and possibly shafts!) if the prop has been chewed up?<br /><br />Any thoughts about this?<br /><br />Should I save my money and look elsewhere?

 

[Guest]

Re: Mint condition but........

Maybe, maybe not. <br /><br />A prop is easy to scratch, bend or dent. Most often it doesn't mess up anything else. But you're right to consider that possibility. If it's a good dealer, they won't sell you junk. Plus, you should be able to tell if there's a problem by running it with a new prop. <br /><br />If it feels pretty well "balanced" you're probably okay. <br /><br />Good luck.

 

[stan_deezy]

Re: Mint condition but........

Cheers Bill that sounds like reasonable advice to me. The price is good butI don't want that to blind me to something obvious. I'll know a lot more when I get to see the engine "in the flesh".

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Mint condition but........

Have the lower unit pressure/vacuum tested. Any leaks will show up in that test. Hold a pointed object on the lower unit so the point of that object nearly touches the tip of a prop blade. Turn the prop by hand and see if the other blades pass the object at the same distance. If there is variation, either the prop is bent or the shaft is bent. Have them install a good prop and repeat the test. If it still wobbles, the shaft is definitely bent. A compression test is also in order and one should always at least hear it run.

 

[stan_deezy]

Re: Mint condition but........

cheers Upinsmoke: that sounds logical. I bought a motor several years ago with a similar description: "mint condition, just needs a new prop" and now you come to mention it the oil seals were shot on the lower unit!<br /><br />Thanks for jogging my memory: I'll ask for a pressure test and check the rotation with the new prop.

 

[llfish]

Re: Mint condition but........

Maybe they will give you 90/120 day guarantee on the lower unit. That way you can try it out on your boat and return it if something is wrong.<br /><br />Good luck

 

[Guest]

Re: Mint condition but........

Good luck, Bro. <br /><br />By the way, a long time ago, I lived in Cumbria. In fact, it was so long ago, they called it Lancashire then. <br /><br />Bill

 

[stan_deezy]

Re: Mint condition but........

Originally posted by Bill in IN:<br /> Good luck, Bro. <br /><br />By the way, a long time ago, I lived in Cumbria. In fact, it was so long ago, they called it Lancashire then. <br /><br />Bill

better not let the locals hear you say that although where I live it's a small village where they still bow down and pray when an electric bulb is lit up <br /><br />Larry: I'll see if I can get a warranty thrown into the deal: good idea

 

[swist]

Re: Mint condition but........

Check the price you are being quoted against similar engines elsewhere. If it seems low, this deal smells of someone hitting something hard. There is no free lunch.<br /><br />I hit a rock with a stainless steel prop once. I thought the impact was minimal but there was a small vibration afterward and I wound up having to put a whole new lower unit on..... I could have sold the engine as "mint" too....

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Mint condition but........

Bro,<br /><br />The dealer said " but the prop could do with being replaced".<br /><br />For that to be true, it doesn't have to be busted or bent. If the previous use was shallow running in gravelbed rivers, it could simply be worn and look bad. Until you see it you won't know, but don't jump to any expensive conclusions until.You might be the guy to benefit from the dealers opinion!

 

[stan_deezy]

Re: Mint condition but........

thanks stillfishing, I'll wait and see and let you guys know what happens.<br /><br />that sounds scary swist but hopefully its just like stillfishing says: the engine is freshwater lake use only so probably just been chewing sand and gravel in the shallows......