expected life of outboard engines

[john]

Hi guys,  I know this is a question with a lot of variables but I still wanted to ask... Assuming excellent maint. about how long should you expect an outboard engine to last( in hours of use). The guys who sell them tell you one thing and the guys who make their living ( commercial fisherman.etc.) seem to say something else.. I have a 1988 130 yamaha with 650 hours on it and I have been told , by some marine dealers that I need to replace it while I have also been told by several commercial guys that I can get over 3000+ hours if I maintain if properly.. By the way my yammy still runs great but I don't want to be stupid and not know when enough is enough.. thanks,, john

[steved]

In my opinion, there is no theoretical limit.  It really depends on how you run and maintain your engine and, of course, whether you were blessed with a lemon or not.  To be honest, I am always surprised at how quickly other boaters seem to run through engines - you see lots of ads for boats for sale with new motors even though the whole boat is less than five years old.  I also wonder what happens to all of those old-new motors.  You don't see that many offers for used motors, even refurbs, that are only a couple of seasons old. In my own case, I have a 1982 22.2 CCP with the original motor - a Mariner 200.  I certainly have passed the line of diminishing returns in terms of the money I have put into the motor since I bought the boat 5 years ago (in the sense that I probably could not get a hill of beans for the motor) but I have spend WAY less on it then I would have to for a new motor, and it runs great, with still good compression on the original powerhead.  Frankly, I have no idea how many hours it has on it. Certainly more than your 650 though.

So my bottom line is like this.  If you are thinking of selling the boat, do it now while the motor is still running - because trying to sell the boat with a blown motor is really a loser of an idea.  If, on the other hand, you are keeping the boat, then why not run the motor as long as it runs good?  When you finally get to something that costs a bomb, then worry about repowering.

Just my $.02

[jdupree]

John,

My last boat had a 1980 evinrude 140.  I sold that boat in February of this year.  The motor had never been rebuilt and still had very good compression.  I didn't have an hour meter on my last boat but the motor had a million :) hours on it but I always maintained it.  I have always heard and been told to keep your water pump and thermostats changed along with regular maintenance and you can expect an outboard to run as long as you need it to.

[Radioshop]

I would say unless the motor has a chronic design issue, like VRO oiling or, something that's always causing problems, run it till it blows.  Motors aren't getting cheaper or lighter.

[john]

Thanks for the comments.. I like the idea of running it "till it dies" especially since I recently priced a new one.. :(    john....

[ddd222]

have had this discussion before w/ captains and mechanics, a few different ways to consider, and the only one i am going to discuss is the top end. Lets say you know a motor from birth, i've been told that a powerhead under recreational use can yield anywhere from 12-1300 hours to 2000-2500 hours, more than likely in the middle. But anything could happen, bad batch of gas frying a cylinder or 2, Unqualified mechanic, any number of things can cut those #'s. I've also heard of the local sea tow operators up here getting 4000 plus hours out of a single powerhead. In my experience w/ 2 stroke motors of any kind, which for the most part is boats and motorcycles, they run better the more often they are ran, i.e. the sea tow experience i mentioned. They need to be babied sometimes, and screamed WOT sometimes with scheduled maintenance. Outboards are getting better and more reliable. My 1 and half season yamaha purrs like a kitten and roars when we pass 50 mph. Biggest problem on LI is qualified mechanics, if you find one, hold him close!

[JimCt]

Preventative maintenence is the key.  Stay ahead on all routine service items, run only best quality oil in mix, change the water pump every spring and don't be shy about having a good pro go over the engine on a regular basis.  Heck, C-47's are still flying and earning their keep that flew Normandy.  Commercially used engines will wear out sooner, but with care yours can last as long as you want it to.

[Straight A's]

Also, using a motor often, is better then letting it sit and only using it 1 to 2 times per summer.