Blown Motor

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bsavoie

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I got bad news on Monday. Over Labor Day weekend, we heard a loud bang from the motor that split the corner of the cowling and started an engine fire. The boat is a 1987 Offshore 24' the motor a 2003 Suzuki 225. We extinguished the fire ( I cleaned my shorts too) and were able to limp to the dock with the kicker. We pulled the boat, cleaned the engine compartment looked for an obvious cause and replaced a couple of questionable fuel lines. We called around looking for someone willing to work on the Suzuki, finally found a yard that used to service them and was willing to take a look. Long story short, two cylinders are dead, engine is junk, shorts may never come clean. We bought the boat late spring, had it surveyed and engine checked, but bad luck happens. Trying to figure out whether to look for another used boat, selling this one as-is, knowing I'll take a beating, or re-powering with a re-built engine. Any advice offered would be much appreciated.

Fire Marshall Bill
 
Sorry to hear about your engine.......

Does the boat have a hard top? If so, are you interested in selliing it?
 
Sorry about your loss. The good news is that there are only 4 bolts holding your old engine on. If you are happy with your hull it's a perfect time to get a new or nearly new outboard that you can get serviced locally. Don't let it get you down we've all been there. Good luck!
 
>> Trying to figure out whether to look for another used boat, selling this one as-is, knowing I'll take a beating, or re-powering with a re-built engine.

I had the same thing happen a few years ago. I considered selling (only momentarily), new powerhead, repowering with a used motor, and buying a new one. I ruled out the powerhead based on advice that it would cause the lower unit to fail soon but my motor was a lot older than yours is. I ruled out new due to cost so was left to look for a used motor. I was fortunate to find a much newer one nearby for a reasonable price and was back on the water in 7 days.

In my opinion, the most cost effective options are a new powerhead and finding another motor on the used market. I'm starting to see some 4 strokes available now, too.

Good luck.
Gary 93 Gulfstream
 
That really @#%!@'s. Trying to sell a boat that doesn't work will really beat you up. If you're looking at a different boat, get this one running as cheap as possible and sell it. If you want to keep her, I'd say get a powerhead. The powerhead will run about $7K but you'll basically have a new motor. There aren't any issues with the lower unit? A used motor will probably run about the same price but you have no idea of the issues you will inherit. Let the mech find out why the motor blew, otherwise the next motor may have the same fate.
 
Call 1-877-310-2628 or go to web site NWFL OUTBOARD. Look at motors for sale on site and call them 2 they have more motors that r not on website and a great machine shop 2. they can help u. they have a lot of rebuilt motors.
 
Do you like the boat and want to keep it?

If so, find someone selling a motor usually people sell perfectly good motors just to get a 4 stroke. Lookin Fisherman or other places, post an ad say you are looking to buy. 2 stroke V6 motor are very common, and they do come up for sale.
If you are looking for 4 stroke, much more expensive simple because they are going to be newer. Nothing wrong with late 90s 2 stroker.

If it's on the boat, go for a ride, have a mechanic check out motor as a "pre-purchase" evaluation. For Yamaha, get aYamaha mechanic at yamaha dealer, etc, About 75 -100 bucks, not much to check.

Then you will have a working boat. Then if you still like the boat, find a second motor and use it as a spare parts motor.

You can find a good motor for about $2K, more so if newer. Buying privately saves plenty, and dealer will offer 4 stroke repowering customer nothing for old motor. Basically, doing the 4 stroke customer a favor by taking it.
So anything a customer gets seeling it on the side is better than zero. Remember that when you make an offer.
Come back here and we can explain how easy it is to transport and rig with a 120 buck Pep Boys motor hoist.

Like it was said, just 4 mounting bolts and it's on. You are not likley to get a Suzie used, so you will need rigging with motor you buy. It's all straigtforward.

A new V6 4 stroke motor and rigging installed is close to $20K these days, only consider this if keeping the boat many many years, otherwise you are basically buying who you sell boat to, a new motor. Thta's nice present to give someone.

New motor = new boat, as long as everything else is fine.
But it is at some cost.

One new motor costs more than a entire cars these days.
 
That's why I like my I/O....I was able to replace it in my driveway for ~$3K...........not bad for 300+HP!
 
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