I won a 25HP Johnson short shaft...

[MrHeadsocket]

Hi guys

I won an auction of a 25HP Johnson Commercial short shaft outboard (for £550) last Saturday and I went to view it yesterday. Before I went to view it the seller told me it had not been used for a while and that before he stored it it ran perfectly.

When I arrived he told me that this engine had been stored for 8 years! He said as well that it was stored properly (flushed etc) and not just locked away. The engine is apparently a low hours engine and it looked it under the cowling! Never the less we tried starting it and had no luck, and eventually we pulled the spark plugs and gave them a clean, and it did fire, for about 5 seconds before stalling... it kept doing this and after an hour we gave up. The guy said he would change the spark plugs and get it going and then call me back during the week.

Any opinions on the engine and whether to avoid or go for it? The problem I'm up against is my parents because the whole being stored for 8 years has put them off and they have told me to steer well clear, and rightly so, especially as our last engine was mis sold to us!

[beerbelly]

im not sure if outboards use the same system but on two stroke motorcycle engines if there left unstarted for years its common for the crank seals to dry out and perish thus leaving it with no way of compressing the fuel properly making them either not start or run badly. could be completely different on outboards tho

[spartacus]

A few things you want to check...

Ensure you can turn the drive shaft by hand using the pull rope and there's no friction. Pull the spark plugs and spray a little 3in1 mineral oil in there to lube the cylinders. Don't use WD40 as that just dries it out. Fit new spark plugs.

The fuel needs to be completely fresh with maybe a little extra 2-stroke oil in there.

The carbs could be gunked up. Remove, and clean them before attempting to fire it up.

Check the choke butterfly valve actually opens (behind the air intake). These often sieze if left to stand.

Pull the thermostat and check the housing. If it's salted up, then that may give an indication of its life before it was left in storage. You can clean it, Liberal spray of WD40, etc. Use a new gasket.

If you do get it going, renew the gear oil and starter rope before heading anywhere with it.

[MrHeadsocket]

The drive shaft can be turned using the pull rope and lets just say, that thing has great compression! It was started (or attempted to) on my fuel which is fresh and has extra oil in there already the rest (cleaning carbs) etc is down to the seller as he said he will get it going for me fingers crossed that it runs nice and is not another disappointment!

[paintman]

I also wonder if the choke is stuck on.
My back-up, a 4hp Suzuki 2-stroke, will cut out within a few seconds of starting unless the choke is pushed back in promptly.

[bartiny]

Originally Posted by beerbelly

im not sure if outboards use the same system but on two stroke motorcycle engines if there left unstarted for years its common for the crank seals to dry out and perish thus leaving it with no way of compressing the fuel properly making them either not start or run badly. could be completely different on outboards tho

Yep, you are right re the crank seals (same on an outboard) usually though it is just the top one that dries, the bottom one tends not to dry out as it is in the bottom of the crankcase. Though that may be the case, the top seal is an easy fix once you get the flywheel off, tbh the bottom one is straight forward also, just depends how handy you are with the spanners.

The fact that it ran is a good sign after being stood for 8 years.

I would be more inclined to suspect the carb, blocked idle jet etc, stale fuel, a good clean, earth leads etc.

I can't realy comment on you buying it or not, it could be a 'good un' or a 'bad un'. would need at least some pictures.

[MrHeadsocket]

The only pictures I have are from eBay and there are none of inside the hood, but it looks almost newish in there

[MrHeadsocket]

If it ran well and I bought it, what recourse would I have if it stopped running well or something else happened? I won it off eBay if that helps

[bartiny]

Originally Posted by MrHeadsocket

If it ran well and I bought it, what recourse would I have if it stopped running well or something else happened? I won it off eBay if that helps

Mmmmm, depends how you paid for it, PayPal, cash, credit card, on the listing it should say if the seller accepts returns (normally 14 days) if not then like I said it depends on payment method, and length of elapsed time.

From what you say it does sound ok, pics not too bad, but I would check the lower leg/gearbox for corrosion (is it very badly pitted almost through) also drain the oil out of the gearbox tp check condition, any water, metal bits expect for the oil to be a little opaque but if water runs out first after it has been stood it could be very expensive.

Just my opinon, others may differ

[Fenlander]

I'm very cautious in these things like your parents... why buy someone else's trouble? There are quite a lot of Evinrude/Johnson 25hp motors with running issues that have sold nearer to £200-£300 recently. Yours sounds little different to these and it was just you that bid the start price, no-one else wanted it.

Harsh but true.

Personally I wouldn't even think of "what recourse". If you want an outboard with warranty pay more and go to a dealer like Peter (Boats & Outboards) on here who will be fair with you.

If you are good at fettling 2-stroke engines then perhaps take a chance... but no way would I still pay the full £550 because even if he gets it going on the muffs for 5min it could still conk out the first time you have it near full throttle 30mins from a safe landing spot.

[Nos4r2]

^^^ What he said.

[Poly]

Anyone selling an engine that's been sitting for eight years who doesn't test it runs before listing it on eBay is clearly clueless. Do you want to buy an engine that a clueless person has been tinkering with?

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Poly

Anyone selling an engine that's been sitting for eight years who doesn't test it runs before listing it on eBay is clearly clueless. Do you want to buy an engine that a clueless person has been tinkering with?

^^^ Also what he said.

[Nick Hearne]

That's good money you are gambling with, if it was cheep as chips and you can afford the gamble that's one thing but this is not cheep!
Walk away, some thing better will come along

[paintman]

Assuming its a private seller, unless they have knowingly misrepresented the item you have no comeback. Caveat emptor applies.
If in any doubt, walk away.
Best to view things before bidding BTW.
If you want warranty etc then you buy from a dealer/trader.

[MrHeadsocket]

Ok guys, cheers for all the replies! I will walk away from this one, and cancel it through eBay... I currently have a Mariner 15HP that needs a rebuild and I will most likely get it rebuilt, but if I got it completely rebuilt with 20HP parts (including carbs etc) will this uprate the engine to 20HP and will this cause any damage?

[Landlockedpirate]

Originally Posted by MrHeadsocket

Ok guys, cheers for all the replies! I will walk away from this one, and cancel it through eBay... I currently have a Mariner 15HP that needs a rebuild and I will most likely get it rebuilt, but if I got it completely rebuilt with 20HP parts (including carbs etc) will this uprate the engine to 20HP and will this cause any damage?

Nope, Mariner 15 and 20 are different blocks and engines. The 15hp is common with the 9.9 andthe 20 is common with the 25 and at some ages the 30hp.

[bartiny]

I would not give up on Ebay and the like, you could also (if you have not already) put an add in the wanted section on here.

If you are not in a hurry to get one, then a 'good un' is bound to show up.

25 hp mercury 2 stroke outboard boat engine short shaft not long shaft | eBay

Could be an example ??????

[MrHeadsocket]

I will keep looking thank you!

[chriswood]

Just keep looking on eBay - I picked up a 30hp Mariner 2001, 2 stroke in great condition for about £550. To be fair spent prob best part of 6 mths checking eBay every few days and lost out on a few until I won this one. Bought it off river rescue service so was a very well maintained engine. You may pick up a bargain during winter months!!