Fug.  Looks like I'm in the repower market.

chesapeake724

chesapeake724

Junior Member
Got the prognosis from the shop today on the previously unknown condition of the motor ('85 Johnny 175) that came with the boat.

Good:
- it starts and runs after the flywheel was replaced
- compression low, but equal
- lower unit/gear case good
- cylinders and piston (crowns?) clean

Bad:
- evidence of coolant and exhaust leaks here and there
- #5 cylinder "sounds" bad
- ignition wiring functional (good spark), but could use replacing
- throttle cables could use replacing

Most of the bad stuff is in the "it-works-but..." category. It could last a couple seasons, it could go the first time I take the boat out. I was ready to throw $1k into it, if I got the vibe the motor would last a while, but I'm not sure I want to throw $2k into an old engine with some problems that could be ticking timebombs. $2k would be a good dent into a $3-5000 repower with a newer motor, with a recent or fresh rebuild. I'm torn between cutting my losses and taking the big hit now, OR, risking taking a small hit now, engine blows up and then I take a big hit on top of the little hit.

If I decide to repower now, I'll probably sit out the spring and summer fishing season. I'll pull the engine and work on the hull while I shop for a deal in time to fish the fall/winter bonanza. Besides, that gives me all summer to work on the house to appease the Admiral.

-sigh- And here I thought finding a hull was hard... Oh, well. While this is the chit you forget about when you're heading for the barn during a perfect sunset, the seas are glass, motor is trimmed out just right, and you're face to the wind with your hair on fire...
...it's still chit
:-/
 
Re: Fug.  Looks like I'm in the repower market.

Was faced with similar situation on my old 89 Johnson 200. Out lived it's design specs. Just repowered with 2000 Merc 200. Got a great deal under $2,500.00 but had to have the lower unit rebuilt. Still was under $3,100.00 for everything. New lower,controls,cables,etc and feel the money was well spent vs rebuilding the old carbed power. Just my .02cents :)
 
Re: Fug.  Looks like I'm in the repower market.

Well I was told the same about my I/O when I bought it!! Then after 5 years of running it it died!!

I say run it!! stay close to home, and by Sea Tow membership!!

Why sit it out, for something that might happen?? Sea tow is cheap anough anbd you may never need it!!

As far as ordering a new motor, why you going to wait till fall to put it on??
I repowered my buddys boat all new from the key to the prop and it was done in 3 days!!

JUST FISH!!
 
Re: Fug.  Looks like I'm in the repower market.

Hey,
I agree with macojoe. Sit it out. I've been running a 77 Johnson 200 which I rebuilt myself ten years ago and it still is running great. Never left me stranded.
Buy a sea tow membership and get a good radio. If it has some coolant or exhaust leaks I would replace all the gaskets which is easy enough to do yourself then run it until I got my money out of sea tow.

Buenos
 
Re: Fug.  Looks like I'm in the repower marke

TMcGovern's solution sounds good...economical and probably didn't take long... :D...hate for you to miss season... :-/
 
Re: Fug.  Looks like I'm in the repower market.

If you don't have $8-9k to drop on new, don't forget about a new powerhead option either. Cheaper than new and if the lower unit is good, this can be a reasonable option since 175 is plenty of power. This way there should be less chance of "surpises" down the channel.
 
Re: Fug.  Looks like I'm in the repower market.

Chesapeak 724, Blackbird Remanufactured Outboards & motors has used and rebuilts West Sunbury Pa. Toll 877-983-2537 or 724-283-2537 they have johnson evenrude and others they also list on web, due a search. Also South Jersey Outboards Salem N.J. 609- 338-1568 They have a Yamaha 200 rebuilt painted for $4000. Change over no charge, if controls are same usually only charges for parts used Others out there look in The Salty Dog, Boat Shopper or The Fisherman mag. Hope this helps I'm trying to hold out for 150 E-Tec. or a new boat! ;D Crusher
 
Re: Fug.  Looks like I'm in the repower marke

Chesapeake - hang on . . . you need a second opinion. His feedback sounds very suspicious . . . and incomplete.

1. Did the mechanic tell you there was evidence of a coolant leak? or leak in cooling system? If there is a leak in the cooling system (where is the leak?)

If he actually said that there was a coolant leak . . . take the engine back to him and ask him to show you where to add coolant to your two stroke outboard!! (there's no coolant in any outboard)

Also where was the exhaust leak?

2. What were the exact compression numbers? Those old 235's are low compression engines if I recall correctly . . . around 90PSI was normal.

3. Ignition Wiring is no big deal to replace. You don't need to buy any special omc wiring
(unless you need a harness). Just got through rewiring the ignition on my old merc 225 . . . you can buy a few spools of appropiate gauge wire and terminal ends and do this yourself.

Trigger and stator wires cannot be replaced, but they can be trimmed back if nesscessary and you can crimp on new wire.

4. Throttle cables could use replacing . . . . around $30 + shipping will buy you 2 new 17or 18ft cables.

For example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4537944245&category=31283

5. The most troubling feedback is the "bad" noise from cylinder number 5. Did you hear the noise? Did he offer any insight into what might be causing the noise?
 
Re: Fug.  Looks like I'm in the repower marke

I forgot the exact terms, but there was something in there about a water jacket. The "leak" is not like spraying or gushing or anything like that. There's just welling and weeping here and there. He said it didn't happen until it was up to temperature and that it was 50/50 whether it tightened up after some more running or whether it'd get worse.

Compression ranged from 65-70. He said that cylinder "sounded" bad, but again, everything "looks" good. He mentioned "it could just be..." something about a sleeve.

'll pick it up soon and throw the muffs on it and I'll see for myself. If my not-a-mechanic, but experienced-boater's senses don't pick up on anything that presents a performance problem or safety hazard, I'll hold off on further anxiety until I splash her and take her for a spin.

Thanks for the feedback, guys.
 
Re: Fug.  Looks like I'm in the repower market.

chesapeake,

I hate to hear this. I went through some similar issues last season. Your the only one that can determine your " comfort" level with your motor. Fire her up, get a feel for it, if all sounds good.....I say run that mother.
 
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