Rebuild or buy new?

[BoneDigger]

I have a 1983 Evinrude 25 HP, tiller handle. It has a relatively new foot on it.

I had it tuned up a while back because it was running badly. The mechanic did a "leak down" test on it and said I have a cylinder going bad in it. I have the following options...

1) Buy a new motor ($2500-$3500)
2) Have the shop rebuild it ($900)
3) Buy a new powerhead ($500) then have the shop put it on ($150?)

Buying new is expensive. Having the motor rebuilt means there could be other problems later with an old motor. New powerhead would have a 1 year warranty, but then how would I prove it was the powerhead and not the installation if something went wrong?

My question is this: If you have a older motor that needs a rebuild, do you do it or buy a new one?

Todd

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Rebuild or buy new?

What are the compression numbers? What is the diagnosis of the mechanic? One cylinder is how bad? Can the one cylinder be repaired? What does their rebuild involve and what would their warranty be?

 

[BoneDigger]

Re: Rebuild or buy new?

Not sure about the compression numbers. I was told that a leak down test does not give that kind of information, just that one is bad. He said I am running at about 60% compression, and that's all he could say about it. Not sure of the warranty on the rebuild, but I would assume a month or two.

Todd

 

[05GlastronSX]

Re: Rebuild or buy new?

a new powerhead sounds like the best bet to me. its the cheapest and you are getting a brand new engine, not one thats rebuilt. pocket the 3,000 and drop a new powerhead on it IMO. you cant go wrong with a new engine with a one year warrenty.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Rebuild or buy new?

Maybe it is just stuck rings a decarb might help.
Compression numbers would help 100 lbs is nice but it will run on less and you might not even notice.
If it was mine and turned up bad I would try to go new and go for 40hp and get me an etec.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Rebuild or buy new?

I would do a good decarb (with Sea Foam) also and wait awhile for the results to work......like a week or two. Also keep some Sea Foam in the fuel, like for what you are doing, I'd put 8oz to 6 gal (independent of everything else) for the duration of the test.....I mean do your regular fuel-oil ratio......and during that two weeks insure that you run the engine a few times, getting this added treatment in there.

I have a Merc service manual and they deliberately don't publish compression numbers. Too many variables, primarily related to how much oil is involved in the testing, how hot is the engine and all.

What they do tell you is that the cylinders should read within a few percent of each other. But if your's don't it doesn't mean the engine is worn out. As a matter of fact, on a 2 cyl, they should wear about the same so if one is reading 60% low (from wear) so should the other.

However, if one is low and the other is not.....help is on the way 8)

Don't be in a big hurry to spend your money unless you just want a new engine and if so, Seelspike has a good idea.

Mark

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Rebuild or buy new?

why not goes THIS route..... heck of a lot cheaper thany anything above..... lots of options out there....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2001...QQihZ003QQcategoryZ111123QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Rebuild or buy new?

Seafoam it first. Its cheap, and you have nothing to lose but everything to gain. On a 23 year old motor, I would be genuinly surpised if that thing has ever been decarbed. Decarbing can produce dramatic results. Always try the simple thing first.

What would I do if the 'Foam didn't work? Just look for another motor, maybe one with more power as long as it was within the hull rating. Then Ebay the old one, recouping a bit of the cost. The price ranges you have shown to repair the motor you have could get you another motor easily. Good luck....

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Rebuild or buy new?

Well bonedigger. You got our inputs. How about some feedback for our trouble. :/