Think I should buy this?

chesapeake724

chesapeake724

Junior Member
Ahoy, gents.

Ever since the prognosis from the mechanic about my Johnny 175 (runs well, holes and pistons are clean, compression even, ignition wires could use preplacing, cooling water leaks, exhaust leaks, could run forever, could die the first trip) I've been keeping an eye out for a cheap replacement. This was posted on fishing board I frequent:

'86 Yamaha 200
2 cycle outboard. Excellent condition. Runs great. Low hours. All controls and oil injection tank included. Repowered boat with new 4cycle Yamaha. Asking $500.

I got an email back that everything is in good or better working condition. The guy that put up the ad and the guy selling it have army.mil email addresses, so you'd think I can trust 'em. I mentioned it was odd that the dealer didn't just give him the $500 and took it in trade against the 4-stroke, but the dealer didn't want such an old motor.

I'm thinking for $500, I could probably get rid of it without losing much if I come to find out it's not reliable enough to hang on the transom. Worst case, I'd part it out and make the $500 back, so I'd only be out the hassle, but not out any money.

Any thoughts?
 
C'peak, just my opinion, but that motor doesn't sound too much different that your 175 ???

I'd want to know if it was fresh or saltwater. If fresh, it might be a buy. I'm just leary of it, sorry.
 
Ask guy if you can bring to boat yard and have it inspected??
if good BUY!

I bought my 175 Yamaha from a yammy repair guy, motor and all for $1,800 1989
That was 3 years ago.

Just one thing!! Check the shift rod real real good!!!! Before 90 something they were made of steel and rotted!!
Just above the cavataion plate on the front of the motor they are exposed for you to see. But they rot just below out of eye site. If it looks rusted or thiner as you go down it will need to be replaced!!

You have to pull the power head for this!! the job will run from between $500 and $1200 from all the different postes I have seen on them!
Replacement will be stainless.

The guy I bought my motor from fixed mine right after I bought it. He was sorry it happened cause I asked before I bought it and he said it was good. He charged me $100 for parts.

BS changed his in his yard with his dad when he had his.

This is a comon repair with pre 90's Yamaha

They also don't like to run on 50 to 1 pre mix!!!!!!

They have a great injection system and it really needs to be working!!
There is a remot tank with a pump amd float and there is a small tank on the motor with a pump and a sending unit and float switch.
You might want to see that it also is working! The floats alone are $150, never nimd the rest!!
 
an excellent cond., low hours, even compression, good running 200 h.p. motor should fetch more than 500.00. It's either a scam or a great deal. I'd have it checked out. I hope it all goes in your favor
 
Chesapeake:

Your mechanic's primary findings generally indicate a solid engine: "runs well, holes and pistons are clean, compression even". The only negative findings you indicate are "cooling water leaks" and "exhaust leaks". Please give us more information about those problems. They could indicate anything from trivial annoyances to a cracks in the block.

Assuming you haven't found any major problems, I'd highly recommend that you replace your ignition wires before making your decision. Their condition can make a huge difference in performance, and they're relatively cheap and easy to replace.

My general recommendation would be stick with the engine you know rather than gamble on someone else's used engine, unless you're really forced to do so. The price of the Yamaha seems to me be too low to indicate a decent engine, and the fact that the dealer passed on it even at that price gives me additional cause for concern.

Whatever you decide, good luck.
 
Everybody has good points. If saltwater use only and shift rod has never been replaced, it probably shot like MJ says.
 
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