My goodness! All these things you’ve gotta check in the hopes you aren’t buying someone else’s nightmare of a motor. I think I’m gonna do exactly what I’ve always done with anything that has an engine - buy it new, take extra good care of it, and drive my moneys worth out of it for decades knowing it has been flawlessly maintained and treated with care.
I bought a 2010 5HP mercury 4-stroke..... then I found your video series about small outboards lol. I lucked out and ended up getting a really good deal, but I could have gotten shafted. Your videos are absolutely phenomenal. Keep it up👍
Couple details: 1) the water discharge does not remain cool. It will get very warm to hot very quickly. This is normal. 2) clean oil does not indicate good maintenance. It only indicates clean oil, which may have been changed while you were on the way to see the motor. A dishonest seller will also be careful to thouroughly clean teh dipstick/cap as it will show gunk from a cracked head or block allowing water into the crankcase oil. It will also indicate long overdue cooked oil by leaving thick dirty residue. A scammer can easily clean it in gasoline in minutes. Smell it for gas or acetone.
I bought a used Nissan 9.8 a couple of months ago. But the guy told me before hand that it needed a new impeller and the gear oil needed to be replaced. But we ran it for a minute, made sure everything worked then I changed out the impeller and the gear oil and it runs like a champ.
@@Skinnyriver yeah $500 for the motor, a tiller extension, a 3 gallon gas tank and 1200ft of crabbing trot line lol. It’s perfect for my little 14ft gamefisher tri hull.
"Excessive smoke" that might need some clarification. When I store my 2 cycle outboard for the season one of the things that is done is the spark plugs are removed and the inside of all the cylinders are sprayed/coated with an anti-corrosive lubricant. I also run "storage seal" through the carburetor heavily just before I starve the engine of fuel by running the carburetor dry. These steps are taken to remove fuel from carburetor assembly to keep it from going stale, partially evaporating and leaving "varnish" to gum up the small passages and various jets inside the carburetor and to keep the inside of the cylinders coated to prevent corrosion. The bottom line when the engine is started for the first time, at the beginning of the next season, it is going to smoke excessively. I think your most important point in this presentation was the statement that getting an outboard that has been maintained and run regularly is a really good thing when looking for an outboard to purchase. Outboards that have been stored for most of their lives are often problematic, even if they "look shiny new" on the outside.
Thanks for the points! I agree with everything you said. 2 strokes are hard to judge by “smoke” but 4 strokes shouldn’t smoke really at all unless like you said it’s the first start of the season IF the engine was fogged before storage. Definitely good points and if you go to buy a 4 stroke that is smoking a lot in the middle of the summer it could be a red flag and a good question is “was this in storage or have you ran it yet this year” thanks for the points! Key point I think is if there is a lot of smoke just be careful bc it could be leaking oil into the cylinder (if 4 stroke)
also - my new outboard (6hp tohatsu) smoked because I was improperly storing the outboard on a slimjim, which caused the cylinder to tilt slightly in wrong direction, allowing oil into the cylinder. Once stored on a proper motor stand, it no longer smokes. So for smoking issues on a 4-stroke, also check its storage orientation.
Just bought a 20hp mercury 4 stroke 2022 !!! I went through this whole video and got this motor at a really good deal, went through it and no any signs of from the following from the video. Happy to watch this and excited to see future coming videos!!!
This is the best video I've found describing this stuff.. Well done mate, as a noob just looking into a boat & new outboard really appreciate the tips. Cheers from Orkney
I bought a 2016 tohatsu 6hp that the guy said cuts off and smokes real bad. I got it for $200 and took it home and found the fuel pump had gone bad and was adding gas to the oil. It was severely overfull causing the smoking issue. It cutting off was because it was losing fuel pressure from the pump. 1 new fuel pump and an oil change later I have a great running outboard for dirt cheap. The compression test was 175psi by the way.
Finally got my used motor for my 12’ sun dolphin. Paid $275 for evinrude 1989 6hp. Has great compression when pull cord. No cracks in any of lower upper. Only thing has been stored for 5 years and don’t know a thing about it. I am going to have the carb cleaned and lower gear oil changed. Just thought would share. Still have to get gas tank and fuel line with bulb. Engine looks brand new under the dowel. Only cobwebs. My friend who has owned boats for years and gave my the run down about 2 cycles etc says it was a steal. I’m so pumped and hope to get it all done and ready to get on the water by late winter for prespawn. Thanks for the tips.
Yeah man it sounds awesome! Carb cleaning and lower gear oil is spot on. Make sure all old gas is gone from the lines, maybe new spark plug. But compression is the biggest risk for motors that sit because cylinder can get corrosion BUT you are good if you did a comp test!!! One more thing, sometime water pump impeller can get dry rotted (it’s plastic) so keep an eye on it pissing cooling water when you get it out.
2 yrs ago i bought a yamaha 2,5hp 4stroke from 2019, i didnt see this video before nor did i know much about motors, we let it run, it ran good but when we put in on our own boat: after warming up, smoke, it would leak engine oil everywhere always. And a lot more problems. This was my last time buying a used engine.
I would check out the carb . The 5 HP motor I bought had a Chinese carb. The motor would start up and run but would not rev out and plane the boat 14ft. canoe. I had to buy a Tahatsu carb to save money over the higher cost Mercury carb.
The Mercury engine looks just like the Johnson 4hp 4stroke engine .. The Johnson engine to check oil level is not screwing the dip stick all the way in you unscrew it clean it off and then just place it back in the hole BUT WITH OUT SCREWING IT BACK IN , then you pull it out and check the oil level .. if you where to screw it back in the oil level with be greater then it really is , so this wouldn’t tell you the exact oil level .. CHECK THE side of the engine on the sticker or even the manual will tell you how to check the oil level .. same thing with lawn mower Kawasaki engines the dip stick tells you the instructions... HOnda engines are the same as well don’t screw the dip stick back in to check Oil level .
I was lucky with the 9.8hp 2stroke Tohatsu, as i checked most of the things you said. I had previously looked at 15hp Parsun outboard and when he started it, the water didn't start flowing for a good 20seconds, so walked away.
Thanks again Alex. How’s the weather and water over in your part of the world? Finally getting nice here (highs in the 70’s). Probably even cooler than that for you.
@@Skinnyriver its been really hot here for the last couple of months hottest the UK has had for decades. Unfortunately there has been also lots of wind so as I only get out on the sea its been a bit difficult. Hope to get out soon for a bit of bass fishing.
This is cool stuff. Hoping next year to possibly buy one for the jon boat. I fish alot of places where there are electric only but would like to hit some of the bigger lakes in my area. I have almost bombed this years fishing budget on stuff, LOL! One question I have, is Ethanol an issue for these motors? I know when I go to look at old cars I always pop the gas cap to take a wiff and if it smells like super old gas I stay away from it cause Ethanol reeks havoc on carbs. I think I heard something about you cant run Ethanol in a boat motor you have to run Marine gas, is this correct. Thanks for the tips!!! Putting this in my Favorites
I try to use nonethanol every time I can. Ethanol goes bad fast and attracts moisture. It can really gum up your carb. BUT stabil marine 360 is a fuel stabilizer and ethanol treatment. It’s super cheap and a bottle lasts forever. Just add some to your gas can when you fill up
@@Skinnyriver Cool. Nonethanol is pretty scarce in my area. I hate ethanol. Thanks for Marine 360 tip. I use regular stabil in my cars. didnt know they made marine.
Not sure if you are talking about me?? Was there any advice in the vid that I gave that was incorrect? I’ll post a correction on the description if I messed something up.
My goodness! All these things you’ve gotta check in the hopes you aren’t buying someone else’s nightmare of a motor. I think I’m gonna do exactly what I’ve always done with anything that has an engine - buy it new, take extra good care of it, and drive my moneys worth out of it for decades knowing it has been flawlessly maintained and treated with care.
Best way to do it
I bought a 2010 5HP mercury 4-stroke..... then I found your video series about small outboards lol. I lucked out and ended up getting a really good deal, but I could have gotten shafted. Your videos are absolutely phenomenal. Keep it up👍
Glad you got a really good motor! Appreciate the views, thank you
I'm a newbie to boating so i really appreciate all your easy to understand videos.
Thank you! I appreciate it
Couple details: 1) the water discharge does not remain cool. It will get very warm to hot very quickly. This is normal. 2) clean oil does not indicate good maintenance. It only indicates clean oil, which may have been changed while you were on the way to see the motor. A dishonest seller will also be careful to thouroughly clean teh dipstick/cap as it will show gunk from a cracked head or block allowing water into the crankcase oil. It will also indicate long overdue cooked oil by leaving thick dirty residue. A scammer can easily clean it in gasoline in minutes. Smell it for gas or acetone.
Really good points thank you!!
I bought a used Nissan 9.8 a couple of months ago. But the guy told me before hand that it needed a new impeller and the gear oil needed to be replaced. But we ran it for a minute, made sure everything worked then I changed out the impeller and the gear oil and it runs like a champ.
Nice sounds like you got a good setup! Probably spent a whole lot less than a new motor!
@@Skinnyriver yeah $500 for the motor, a tiller extension, a 3 gallon gas tank and 1200ft of crabbing trot line lol. It’s perfect for my little 14ft gamefisher tri hull.
Weed eater string - good tip.
Thanks, appreciate the view!
"Excessive smoke" that might need some clarification. When I store my 2 cycle outboard for the season one of the things that is done is the spark plugs are removed and the inside of all the cylinders are sprayed/coated with an anti-corrosive lubricant. I also run "storage seal" through the carburetor heavily just before I starve the engine of fuel by running the carburetor dry. These steps are taken to remove fuel from carburetor assembly to keep it from going stale, partially evaporating and leaving "varnish" to gum up the small passages and various jets inside the carburetor and to keep the inside of the cylinders coated to prevent corrosion. The bottom line when the engine is started for the first time, at the beginning of the next season, it is going to smoke excessively. I think your most important point in this presentation was the statement that getting an outboard that has been maintained and run regularly is a really good thing when looking for an outboard to purchase. Outboards that have been stored for most of their lives are often problematic, even if they "look shiny new" on the outside.
Thanks for the points! I agree with everything you said. 2 strokes are hard to judge by “smoke” but 4 strokes shouldn’t smoke really at all unless like you said it’s the first start of the season IF the engine was fogged before storage. Definitely good points and if you go to buy a 4 stroke that is smoking a lot in the middle of the summer it could be a red flag and a good question is “was this in storage or have you ran it yet this year” thanks for the points! Key point I think is if there is a lot of smoke just be careful bc it could be leaking oil into the cylinder (if 4 stroke)
also - my new outboard (6hp tohatsu) smoked because I was improperly storing the outboard on a slimjim, which caused the cylinder to tilt slightly in wrong direction, allowing oil into the cylinder. Once stored on a proper motor stand, it no longer smokes. So for smoking issues on a 4-stroke, also check its storage orientation.
Great point thanks,
Just bought a 20hp mercury 4 stroke 2022 !!! I went through this whole video and got this motor at a really good deal, went through it and no any signs of from the following from the video. Happy to watch this and excited to see future coming videos!!!
Awesome 20hp mercuries are great motors!!
Super-educational tips for an outboard newbie. Saving this list for the day I upgrade from a paddle kayak to a river skiff. Thanks!
I appreciate the view! Thanks! Let me know when you get that skiff!
Compression test is a must
Yeah that definitely can catch a lemon no worth fixing
This is the best video I've found describing this stuff.. Well done mate, as a noob just looking into a boat & new outboard really appreciate the tips. Cheers from Orkney
Orkney Islands!!?? I would absolutely love to visit there! Thank you again!
I bought a 2016 tohatsu 6hp that the guy said cuts off and smokes real bad. I got it for $200 and took it home and found the fuel pump had gone bad and was adding gas to the oil. It was severely overfull causing the smoking issue. It cutting off was because it was losing fuel pressure from the pump. 1 new fuel pump and an oil change later I have a great running outboard for dirt cheap. The compression test was 175psi by the way.
Awesome great job!! Congrats on getting a great motor for cheap
Finally got my used motor for my 12’ sun dolphin. Paid $275 for evinrude 1989 6hp. Has great compression when pull cord. No cracks in any of lower upper. Only thing has been stored for 5 years and don’t know a thing about it. I am going to have the carb cleaned and lower gear oil changed. Just thought would share. Still have to get gas tank and fuel line with bulb. Engine looks brand new under the dowel. Only cobwebs. My friend who has owned boats for years and gave my the run down about 2 cycles etc says it was a steal. I’m so pumped and hope to get it all done and ready to get on the water by late winter for prespawn. Thanks for the tips.
Yeah man it sounds awesome! Carb cleaning and lower gear oil is spot on. Make sure all old gas is gone from the lines, maybe new spark plug. But compression is the biggest risk for motors that sit because cylinder can get corrosion BUT you are good if you did a comp test!!!
One more thing, sometime water pump impeller can get dry rotted (it’s plastic) so keep an eye on it pissing cooling water when you get it out.
Will keep you posted. Thank you Skinny
2 yrs ago i bought a yamaha 2,5hp 4stroke from 2019, i didnt see this video before nor did i know much about motors, we let it run, it ran good but when we put in on our own boat: after warming up, smoke, it would leak engine oil everywhere always. And a lot more problems. This was my last time buying a used engine.
I’m sorry you had that bad experience. We have all been there buying something used. You are not alone
I would check out the carb . The 5 HP motor I bought had a Chinese carb. The motor would start up and run but would not rev out and plane the boat 14ft. canoe. I had to buy a Tahatsu carb to save money over the higher cost Mercury carb.
Excellent review. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Awesome, thanks for the view!!
Luv the string trimmer line tip. Thank you.
Does this 6hp mercury have compression release for starting? Will my compression test be accurate? I can also do a cylinder leak down test.
Man I didn’t even know but I checked the manual, and it says (with decompression 42psi +- 14). So it looks like it does
@@Skinnyriver alright. I'll test it out. Great videos and thanks!
The Mercury engine looks just like the Johnson 4hp 4stroke engine .. The Johnson engine to check oil level is not screwing the dip stick all the way in you unscrew it clean it off and then just place it back in the hole BUT WITH OUT SCREWING IT BACK IN , then you pull it out and check the oil level ..
if you where to screw it back in the oil level with be greater then it really is , so this wouldn’t tell you the exact oil level .. CHECK THE side of the engine on the sticker or even the manual will tell you how to check the oil level ..
same thing with lawn mower Kawasaki engines the dip stick tells you the instructions...
HOnda engines are the same as well don’t screw the dip stick back in to check Oil level .
Great points, I never knew that! Thanks for the view I appreciate the support
More videos... Less shorts. 🎣
I was lucky with the 9.8hp 2stroke Tohatsu, as i checked most of the things you said. I had previously looked at 15hp Parsun outboard and when he started it, the water didn't start flowing for a good 20seconds, so walked away.
Good choice. I’ve heard different opinions of Parsun. Evidently it’s a Yamaha copy and rebranded as Coleman. Pretty interesting
Top advice sir.
Thanks again Alex. How’s the weather and water over in your part of the world? Finally getting nice here (highs in the 70’s). Probably even cooler than that for you.
@@Skinnyriver its been really hot here for the last couple of months hottest the UK has had for decades. Unfortunately there has been also lots of wind so as I only get out on the sea its been a bit difficult. Hope to get out soon for a bit of bass fishing.
This is cool stuff. Hoping next year to possibly buy one for the jon boat. I fish alot of places where there are electric only but would like to hit some of the bigger lakes in my area. I have almost bombed this years fishing budget on stuff, LOL! One question I have, is Ethanol an issue for these motors? I know when I go to look at old cars I always pop the gas cap to take a wiff and if it smells like super old gas I stay away from it cause Ethanol reeks havoc on carbs. I think I heard something about you cant run Ethanol in a boat motor you have to run Marine gas, is this correct. Thanks for the tips!!! Putting this in my Favorites
I try to use nonethanol every time I can. Ethanol goes bad fast and attracts moisture. It can really gum up your carb. BUT stabil marine 360 is a fuel stabilizer and ethanol treatment. It’s super cheap and a bottle lasts forever. Just add some to your gas can when you fill up
@@Skinnyriver Cool. Nonethanol is pretty scarce in my area. I hate ethanol. Thanks for Marine 360 tip. I use regular stabil in my cars. didnt know they made marine.
This was awesome! Thanks!
10 sturgeon… that’s what’s awesome
Well done
I really appreciate the view and the kind words, thanks!!!
i have amercury f6m from 2006. i changed the oil and put 450ml in it. the LED oil indicator is not working. is there a problem? thank you!
LED oil indicator on lights up when there is low oil pressure. It doesn’t have anything to do with bad or old oil
@@Skinnyriver thank you!
It is funny... people without the substantial knowledge are quick to give advices to the others...
Not sure if you are talking about me?? Was there any advice in the vid that I gave that was incorrect? I’ll post a correction on the description if I messed something up.