How long do outboards last?

[whichway]

Hi

So how many years can you expect from a well maintained outboard. If you look on the US sites where they run in fresh water mostly, they seem to still have lots of 1960s models still getting around (having the boat out of the water for six months of the year because it is too cold helps extend the life).

But in SEQ we've run in salt, sometimes with a fair bit of sand mixed in as well.

So how many hours / years will you get from a two stroke, a four stroke. Will the average outboard wear out due to wear and tear of the internal components, or will it basically corrode away. Or does reliability become the main issue, and the electrics just don't work any more. Is a modern four stroke with its incredible complexity going to last as long as a two stroke, which is a much simpler motor.

Any ideas

Whichway

[PADDLES]

there's so many factors that will influence how long a motor lasts and some of them would even come down to the quality of manufacture. maintenance, cleaning, fuel quality, air quality, water/sand ingress, the list goes on. i asked the mechanic this very question when i got him to look over my current boat before i bought it and he basically told me "how long's a piece of string?" he did indicate however that for most engines as long as they are looked after and regularly maintained and don't do anything silly like run out of oil (for the oil injected motor which i bought) or have a metal failure that there should be no problems seeing at least 1000 hours and then some ......................... with a bit of luck ......................it's guesswork by the sounds of it

[Grand_Marlin]

It all depends on what brand...

An Evinrude will last for years....

A Mercury will last for weeks......



The professional Abalone divers in Tassie used to replace gearboxes at 1000 hours and replace the motors at 2000 hours - by then they were considered worn out.

As Paddles said, there are so many variables ... but a well looked after recreational motor should give you at least 10 - 12 years use.

If you look at the second hand boat market - anything with late 90's model motors still seem to be good packages.

Anything from the late 80,s to early 90's is starting to get dodgy, and nearly always has "rebuilt" somewhere in the for sale add.

Cheers

Pete

[Noelm]

A properly maintained outboard will last for thousands of hours, because of the roller bearings on big ends and so forth, but they usually die from some failure or misuse long before the hours they are capable of, if propped to acheive max RPM and with regular service they will almost NEVER wear out, but a dud water pump, no oil or corosion will get them first.

[ahoj]

GM do I sense a discrimination agains mercs? Gearboxes should last as long as motors if one don't ram the reverse in while the motor is in high revs.... cardinal sin....

Ahoj

[blaze]

ab divers do gearboxs because they do at least a 100 times more gear changes than a rec boat does, holding the mark over a diver on hooker gear takes a lot of skill and a lot more gearchanges, they spend hours going foward/reverse.
cheers
blaze

[Hot_Snappa]

They will last for as long as you are prepared to continue to pump money int the!!

[stevedemon]

Hi whichway mate i am running 115hp yamaha yr 1989 and it is still running hot and strong still has good comp Normal 130psi still on 120 all cyc it all depends on how you look after them flush properly regular services and keep motor clean and free from salt corrossion

Me i degrease motor every 2 - 3 trips hose of and lanolin spray or Wd40

flush tank

first flush fresh water and white vinegar this keeps the corrossion out

second flush add Coolant to tank this replaces teflon on inside motor and kills any corrission left but it also helps seals and impeller to keep clean

3 always remove plugs to keep them clean for good contact and check plugs

flush tank also helps to check impeller spray that your always clean and clear of any blockages before you leave home and when you return home to clean boat

have done this with all my boats last boat was a Seafarer 16.5ft with a 85hp Evinrude yr 1980 on the back the guy that brought the boat off me still has it and the motor is going hot and strong and yes it was a rebuilt motor i had it rebuilt in 1995

Cheers
Steve

[Spaniard_King]

Whichway,

There are way too many factors involved with determining the life of an outboard motor.

A couple of factors which you can do to help are.

Change the gear oil every 6 months or 100hrs
Change the engine oil every 6 months or 100hrs (minimum) for a 4 stroke
Ensure you have a Quality fuel filter/water trap on the boat
Lubricate all the manufacturers lube points every 6 months with a marine grease
Clean and protect the engine with a suitable corrosion spray (like Lanoloin) every 3 months
have a qualified marine techo chgeck the engine over at least once a year ensuring he chacks all anodes attached to the engine and have him replace the parts as -per the manufacturers schedule ie water pumps, thermostats fuel filters etc

The biggest thing you can do is USE the boat regularly like at least once a month

this is a basic guide that will assist in

cheers

Garry

[BaysideMarine]

Noel,

Your post is absolutely spot on.

Technically a properly set up and maintained 2 stroke outboard should almost run forever as its lubricant is in the fuel.

It amazes me that people think 1000hrs or maybe 10-15 years is the life of an outboard.....

Cheers

[reef_king]

With good service history/maintenance the most i've heard of in a 2 stroke is lasting 2500hrs aprrox before needing a rebuild and in a 4stroke 6600hrs and still running with no signs of a rebuild neccessary yet(140hp suzuki).I was told that marine 4 strokes are basically car engines on their side.

[Grand_Marlin]

It amazes me that people think 1000hrs or maybe 10-15 years is the life of an outboard.....

In all due respect to your expertise ... the majority dont last longer than this.

And if they do ... very, very few would be considered "in good nick"

Cheers

Pete

[finding_time]

Pete

I think the 10 -15 years would be more of a factor that 1000 hrs i know of plenty of fours that have been going 3000 and running fine, all have done the hrs in pretty quick time though

What's your thoughts on this?

Ian

[grasshopper]

hi guys
i run a 1974 2 stroke 50hp johnson, 32 years not a problem.starts first time everytime.
trick is rain water with vinegar or clr.allways fresh fuel,clean plugs and regular service.

dave

[David_P]

My dear old Dad had bought a V16C Haines, with a 75hp Evinrude way back in 1979. Admittedly he never did a lot of hours though it was used regularly, and it never missed a beat. I had no hesitation in selling the whole rig to a very good friend.

Like my Dad, Andrew doesn't do a lot of hours either, but the old Evinrude is now 27 years old and still going well. It hasn't had a rebuild, but was serviced every 12 months, flushed after every outting and lived in a garage.

How much longer will it last? Buggered if I know, but it has gone to a good home and will hopefully keep on keeping on! I suspect it comes down to good maintenance and not flogging the crap out of it. As a matter of interest, the boat is still in pristine condition, and it is still on the original Tinker trailer, without any major issues either.

Regards,
Dave.