Thoughts on buying an outboard that doesn't run...

[joldford]

Hi guys,
i'm looking for some advice on whether or not i should buy a 1995 mercury 60hp 2 stroke 3cyl outboard. i was talking to the seller and he said he brought it to a mechanic for a tune up and the mechanic used ''Gunk'' to clean the carb, and ever since, the engine will only run for a couple seconds and shut off. he's asking a reasonable price for a non working engine so i am wondering what may be the problem.

Thanks

 

[Bill kubiak]

It all depends on what you think is reasonable, and old non runner, 100 bucks, tops. You can easily spend 500 on it to get it running. I had the stator go on mine that cost me 200 bucks for the part. Electric parts are costly, and that engine has a bunch of them. All sellers will tell you that all it needs is a tune up.
You can always strip it down and sell off every part of it on eBay for about 3-400, but you got a lot of labor doing that. I did it once with an old 25 HP Evinrude, I broke it down to about 50 parts, the last part to sell was the mid leg unit without the mount bracket, that sold right away.

 

[Cat nip]

If he cant run it for you dont pay more than scrap value because there's a good chance that is exactly what it is.

 

[Mi duckdown]

What was the reasonable price?

 

[mlbinseattle]

Bill is correct with his assessment. Electric parts are costly. A CDI box for mine is $250, and a set of coils are another $150. Also, that mechanic probably shot some carb cleaner into and around the carb ... probably didn't do a proper rebuild on it. Did you ask the seller why he's selling it? If I were buying a non-running engine not knowing what's wrong with it, I'd offer $100 tops because you'll spend another $800+ overhauling the thing if that's what needed. There could be a number of reasons why it only runs a few seconds. It may be something simple, or it could be something that'll require a teardown. Maybe the rings are shot. Maybe the carbs need a proper rebuild. Maybe it's just the fuel pump. Maybe a reed broke off. Maybe all it needs is a tune-up by someone who knows what he's doing. Who knows? If you're lucky, you'll only spend several hundred dollars to get it running. It all depends on how much you know about engines and how much money you want to dump into it ... because you will dump some money into it.

 

[joldford]

Well he's asking$150 for the motor so i think if i can get it for $100 il take it.

 

[tpenfield]

there might be more to the story as to why it no longer runs . . . but for $100, I'd roll that dice and see if I could get it running again. Give the engine a good looking over to make sure it is all there and nothing has been cannibalized.

 

[gm280]

I few things to think about when buying most anything, but particularly an Outboard engine. First and foremost, how mechanically incline are you. That goes a long way into the serious asking and buying price. If you are generally good with tools and have a good understanding about such things, then you can offer accordingly. However, if you are going to have others find and fix all the problems, it can get pricey real quick. And have you researcher the availability of parts for that engine. Some may be easy to obtain while others are like fining hen's teeth. I, personally, enjoy buying and rebuilding things like that. But I also know my limitations as well. So buy accordingly to what YOU can do and/or fix. But also offer with all that in mind. He most certainly will come down on price if he just wants to get rid of it...

 

[Bill kubiak]

Do what the guys on Pawn Stars do tell him You are taking all the risks and you are willing to take that risk for 50 bucks and see what happens, you can always work up slowly

 

[Mi duckdown]

I would buy it for 100/150. all day long. IF the motor is bad? you could part it out, if you like selling parts on ebay. up to you.?? the mech using gunk is an idiot. should have checked compression first/gas/spark.

 

[littlerayray]

I would pick it up for 100 and tear down the carb and clean it but if you do buy it purchase the mechanics guidebook for that motor and year it will help you a ton good luck

 

[joldford]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I've decided if I can get it for $100 I'll take it. Il give you guys an update in a few days when I start trouble shooting

 

[gm280]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I've decided if I can get it for $100 I'll take it. Il give you guys an update in a few days when I start trouble shooting

Sounds like a good idea. And do let us know how it all works out... :thumb:

 

[Chinewalker]

No Title

If it has power trim, it is well worth $100-$150 for parts all day long. I just rebuilt a 1992 for a friend of mine - basically the same motor. Replaced top piston with .030 oversize. Ran him about $700 in parts & farmed out labor (piston, rings top to bottom, gasket kit, three carb kits, water pump kit, machine work, etc.). We could have done better with some aftermarket stuff, but we didn't want to mix pistons of different brands so we went OEM. Motor runs like a top!