Reliability of 1996 Johnson 35 HP

[blindb9]

Looking at buying a 14' fishing boat. Boat has a 35 Hp johnson motor (1996) with electric start. Picture attached seems like the motor is VERY clean. Doing some research on it and there is a lot of talk about the oil pump or something? Something making the engine die frequently, also stories of the power packs going bad often?
Im new to boats so I dont want to get stuck with a money pit for a motor...

Should i steer clear of this motor??

Thanks for any help...

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Reliability of 1996 Johnson 35 HP

It is a good motor, and looks clean.

However, if you dont want a money pit, dont buy any motor. You know what BOAT stands for, Break Out Another Thousand

Being proactive and doing the maintainance will limit the amount you spend on the motor.

Before you buy any motor, make sure you take it for a water test, AND check the compression.

 

[blindb9]

Re: Reliability of 1996 Johnson 35 HP

thanks hightrim, i realize any motor will eventually break and need repairs and maintenance, I just dont want to buy it if this motor has a bad reputation...
what about the VRO? lots of talk about that too when i research this motor, people disconnecting it, and motors imploding because of vro failure. Any thing to worry about?


thanks again

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Reliability of 1996 Johnson 35 HP

Well Im biased because I have had a VRO fail on me destructing the motor. I disconnect them, as I trust my premixing.

HOWEVER, there are thousands of motors with the VRO still connected running just fine. (Not a very good answer is it, sorry)

 

[blindb9]

Re: Reliability of 1996 Johnson 35 HP

would this motor have one?
like i said, im pretty new to this...
thanks

 

[blindb9]

Re: Reliability of 1996 Johnson 35 HP

the this is that i have another boat im looking at that has a mercury (2003) 25hp, I like the boat with the johnson better but i think the merc might be a better engine?