Starting a long term stored outboard

Steve509926 · 02 April 2022, 12:38

20hp OB, serviced then been in a dry garage since Oct 2019.

What's the best way to start it running again?

Fenlander · 02 April 2022, 13:11

I'd be thinking fresh fuel, pull over a few times with kill cord off to prevent firing then kill cord back on and pull to start. I'd expect a start by 4th pull. Immediately check for good tell tale pee.

Spray some oil into the plug holes if you want.

Steve509926 · 02 April 2022, 13:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

I'd be thinking fresh fuel, pull over a few times with kill cord off to prevent firing then kill cord back on and pull to start. I'd expect a start by 4th pull. Immediately check for good tell tale pee.

Spray some oil into the plug holes if you want.

And nothing else David?

WD40 instead of oil?

Fenlander · 02 April 2022, 13:45

Just for interest is it an old 2-stroke or newer 4-stroke?

Over the decades I've started many outboards that have been left a year or two and they just seem to start as if last used a few days ago. Perhaps I've been lucky.

Steve509926 · 02 April 2022, 14:00

4s efi. A few years older than my 15 Merc, but far fewer hours and only fresh water. If I get it for the right price I'd sell my 15 Merc and probably have a bit of change left over to buy some other goodies

Fenlander · 02 April 2022, 14:20

Sounds good... same weight I assume?

Steve509926 · 02 April 2022, 14:23

Yep, same weight. Should be checking it out on Tuesday providing this bloody covid has cleared up!

Fenlander · 02 April 2022, 14:59

I know more people and families that have suffered Covid this past few months than in the whole of the previous main Covid period. I am being so careful as I'm visiting 91yr old dad in a care home several times a week and they require an LFT from that day, take your temp and fill in a health declaration each visit.

Steve509926 · 02 April 2022, 15:07

Same here David. I'd say 1 out of 10 people I know have it or have very recently had it. Fortunately most if not all have just had very bad cold symptoms, it's the body temperature fluctuations that I find hard to cope with!

Back to the OB, I wasn't thinking of changing but when this came up locally it was too tempting. Just hope he's good to his word and keeps it until I can get to see it.

Fenlander · 02 April 2022, 15:08

Fingers crossed for you re the OB.

HDAV · 03 April 2022, 13:39

Was it put away for longer term storage or just left at end of season? Was it fogged or fuel drained etc?

Might be tempted to drop a little 2 stroke oil into the bore before cranking and crank over plugs out no fuel to start

Steve509926 · 03 April 2022, 14:19

He called me today to make sure I was still interested. He told me it was just put away at the end of the season and then covid hit and its not been used since. He said he started it yesterday after turning it over a few times without the kill cord and it fired up no problem, but then he started saying a few other things that start the alarm bells ringing.

2016 20hp efi
Doesn't have original invoice
30 hrs i'sh
Had first service - lost service book, no invoice
New prop fitted, as old one was "scratched"

Also seems a bit eager to sell it to me. Could just be my suspicious nature! Arranged to take a look on Wednesday evening, a very cautious look!

Steve509926 · 03 April 2022, 15:15

Update - just had another phone call from "Mick"

"Wife's not keen on you calling round as you've had covid and she's pregnant. I'm passing near to where you live later today so I'll bring the outboard to your house for you to take a look and buy it"

When I commented that I'd not told him where I live so how does he know he's passing close by, he stumbled with his words and hung up! Tried to call him back and he's not answering.

Think I'll pass on this one!

Fenlander · 03 April 2022, 15:26

Oh how odd... but yes I’d have given that a swerve in those circumstances. Be it a car , boat or whatever I use phone conversations as a big part in judging the likelihood the deal is genuine.

The moment a seller trips up in their story it’s over.

beamishken · 03 April 2022, 15:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Oh how odd... but yes I’d have given that a swerve in those circumstances. Be it a car , boat or whatever I use phone conversations as a big part in judging the likelihood the deal is genuine.

The moment a seller trips up in their story it’s over.

[emoji106]same here if they cant hold a conversation together , Im out!

Sent from my SM-G950F using RIB Net mobile app

HDAV · 03 April 2022, 16:41

Might be worth contacting police see if anyone has reported one of those stolen recently……….

Steve509926 · 03 April 2022, 16:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDAV

Might be worth contacting police see if anyone has reported one of those stolen recently……….

Good idea

Steve509926 · 03 April 2022, 23:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDAV

Might be worth contacting police see if anyone has reported one of those stolen recently……….

Contacted the police, they took the details but nothing has been reported stolen in Lancashire. I couldn't give them much apart from a mobile number, advert has disappeared off gumtree.

Brinormeg · 03 April 2022, 23:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Contacted the police, they took the details but nothing has been reported stolen in Lancashire. I couldn't give them much apart from a mobile number, advert has disappeared off gumtree.

Good reason to be careful as prices and demand through the roof as we know,
so I would expect thefts to keep climbing.
While there is a demand and low supply, there will always be some thievng little bas....

HDAV · 04 April 2022, 09:51

Always good to take a screen shot on gumtree and market place etc prior to contacting seller