Motor sat for 5 years

[BugzyCan]

So I bought this used boat that came with 90hp Mercury 2 stroke outboard.
I asked a local tech to ballpark costs to get this running and this was the result

- compression test
- soak/clean carbs
- new sparkplugs
- new impeller
- lower fork oil
- gas filter

$1000.

Does that sound about right? Seems like a lot to me, but maybe I just have no clue.

[flightlead404]

Crazy expensive, what's their shop rate? Now you have a worklist to be able to do it yourself in your garage on Saturday.

[glenn.225]

Sounds very expensive, maybe they gave you a high estimate because they don't know what they will find. If the motor is good, you get at $250 bill. Better than saying $250 and you get a $1000 bill.

[Bill O]

That list is less than $100 in parts.

If you do not know how to work on an outboard, now is the time to learn. Besides cleaning the carbs, they are just swapping out plugs, filters and lower end oil.
If you wanted to do a compression test, the equipment is cheap enough to own it. https://www.amazon.com/Engine-Compre.../dp/B01FOQJL0E

[thomm225]

$100 is about right but were you planning to put this on your Macgregor 26?

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by BugzyCan

So I bought this used boat that came with 90hp Mercury 2 stroke outboard.
I asked a local tech to ballpark costs to get this running and this was the result

- compression test
- soak/clean carbs
- new sparkplugs
- new impeller
-lower fork oil
- gas filter

$1000.

Does that sound about right? Seems like a lot to me, but maybe I just have no clue.

is this thing a boat or a dirtbike? LOL

That sounds pretty expensive just because you can do these things yourself so easily. Definitely a good list for the weekend.

[MicHughV]

no, I don't think $1,000 is unreasonable....

Sometime back I bought a used Honda 25 that had been sitting for some time. The original quote I got was around $250, but as they got into it, they discovered more stuff needing to be fixed, replaced, etc.

Mechanics hourly rate charged to customers these days, are now in the $125/hr plus range. The $250 quickly ballooned to a grand.

6 hours of labor can burn thru' $750....plus parts, etc...

Just servicing a Yamaha 150 every 100 hours can set you back a grand......I speak from experience..

[MicHughV]

As a side note, I have a friend that is a retired outboard mechanic. He offered to help me service the twin Yamaha 150's on my fishing boat. It took the both of us, nearly all day, plus about $300 in parts, oil, etc, so I can see where the $1,000 comes from.

[MicHughV]

Try replacing just the water impeller on a big outboard, see how long that takes.

[captlloyd]

Yes, outrageously high for what is listed.

[Lepke]

My experience w/ 2 cycle Mercury OB is $300+ if it's simple. And that's before current inflation. The carbs probably need to be rebuilt. There could be fuel issues throughout the system.
The $1000 is probably everything, tune up, carbs, fuel system flush, and so on. I don't think is out of line. Outboards sitting a long time is a problem.

[captlloyd]

Originally Posted by Lepke

My experience w/ 2 cycle Mercury OB is $300+ if it's simple. And that's before current inflation. The carbs probably need to be rebuilt. There could be fuel issues throughout the system.
The $1000 is probably everything, tune up, carbs, fuel system flush, and so on. I don't think is out of line. Outboards sitting a long time is a problem.

Notice the op said “ soak and wash” carbs. That doesn’t sound like rebuilds to me which would equate to overcharge in my world.

[OnePapillon]

Type the make, model and S/N into YouTube, and guaranteed you will find some OB enthusiast to walk you through everything you ever wanted to know.
For your own satisfaction good idea to know more about your engine, for when it won't start.
Cheers
Lawrence

[flyingfin]

Do not buy the motor until you have done a compression test. And do not do a compression test on a motor that has been sitting for years until you pull the plugs, shoot 4 ounces of Marvel MO in each cylinder, then let it sit for a week.
A rusted piston ring will ruin a cylinder the first time you try to turn over the motor. Find another mechanic

[PuttingDoctor]

1. Check the MacGregor 26 specs. I don’t recall it being rated for 90 HP. I sailed on with a 50 HP 4 stroke which was overkill.
2. As mentioned above the motor having sat that long is likely seized somewhat. It needs lubrication prior to any start or pull through attempt.
3. Think about how you plan to use this model of sailboat. If your plan to launch and retrieve via boat ramps you must think about the weight …. If you drain the water ballast you then have to contend with different handling and windage in the dock area. I found it a bit of a learning curve when first we started hauling the 26.
4. Look at the price and think about a lower horsepower powerplant preferably 4 stroke for quiet running.