Are outboard ECM hours genuine?

[Rockfisk]

G’day All, Is there any Outboard mechanics/Techs on here? I’ve been looking at a few boat’s recently, one had a 2012 Yamaha 300 saltwater another had a 2006 Verado 250, my concern is they both had abnormally low engine hrs for their age and the wear and tear on the engines. Is there any way to know they haven’t had the hours “Adjusted “ . Or is it easy to plug in and change the hours on these ecm’s or is it a case of replacing the ecm to do it?
By the way , this is not fishing for info so I can do it myself, it’s a genuine question and would like some knowledge before I pay a mechanic to do inspections on them.
Thanks

[Volvo]

Will be watching this with interest ??, My concern is with an older motor with low hours that has been sitting without good runs has been said to do more harm than good??..

[Noelm]

It’s difficult (if not impossible) to reset the hours, unless the ECU/EMM has been replaced or “flashed” and reprogrammed for added power by sidestepping the pollution laws and voiding warranty, that said, most flashed units retain the original hours too.

[disorderly]

Like Noel said generally its only going to be a concern if the ECU has been replaced....its not always possible but when buying 2nd hand boats/motors in the past I have just offhandedly asked how long they have owned the Boat/motor for and then asked about service history and if possible I have personally then contacted those mechanics or service agents to have a chat about the motor..but of course use your instinct to gauge the veracity of what they tell you..

[chris69]

G’day All, Is there any Outboard mechanics/Techs on here? I’ve been looking at a few boat’s recently, one had a 2012 Yamaha 300 saltwater another had a 2006 Verado 250, my concern is they both had abnormally low engine hrs for their age and the wear and tear on the engines. Is there any way to know they haven’t had the hours “Adjusted “ . Or is it easy to plug in and change the hours on these ecm’s or is it a case of replacing the ecm to do it?
By the way , this is not fishing for info so I can do it myself, it’s a genuine question and would like some knowledge before I pay a mechanic to do inspections on them.
Thanks

Ask for service history or see if you can find were it was serviced and ask there that will give a indication of hours on the motor.

[Rockfisk]

Will be watching this with interest ??, My concern is with an older motor with low hours that has been sitting without good runs has been said to do more harm than good??..

Thats also true mate, too low might not be great, depends on service history too though, if its serviced annually or thereabouts its better.

[Dignity]

Difficult to say, my 2013 4sttoker is sub 400 hrs yet regularly serviced but has had the fuel injectors cleaned as one fouled up, replaced a trim tilt motor as it leaked oil.
Not much granted but other things age but I'd still trust my motor.

[chris69]

My suzuki has just as many idle hours as hard running as i never rely turn the motor off thats the best thing about the modern motors you have all the engine history on how its been used .

[Dignity]

My suzuki has just as many idle hours as hard running as i never rely turn the motor off thats the best thing about the modern motors you have all the engine history on how its been used .

Will be even more so with the new Yammies with their spot lock capabilities.