Reply To: Something a little newer

[Don]

Well, they are a little tight to work on, but not that bad….
I guess my question is why is the price so low for an electric start 15hp….This is a super bargain if there are not major issues. Is this a fresh or salt water engine? Have you looked at it yet? Needless to say, you will want to make the basic inspection checks such as compression and gear lube condition… Look for signs of overheating, although it is a little tough to tell on the engines with black powerheads…So, look for evidence of gaskets being replaced, melted wiring/repaired wiring connections…Look where the coils butt up against the head, sometimes the coil case melts right to the head.
These engines had a fatal yet simple cooling flaw when used in salt water, the upper water tube grommets tend to get crushed by a salt build up between the grommet and inner exhaust housing. The powerhead has to be removed to replace the grommets, and you may run into seized fasteners…
1986 might have been the first year of the dreaded 100:1 mix, so pay close attention to compression readings.
The starter switches are a little weak on these engines and are a pain to replace.
This engine might have one of the “modular” carbs, with plastic top and bowl that are expensive to replace.
Look for evidence of exhaust drool coming down from the exhaust housing where the steering arm enters the housing, check the upper mounts also.
From everything I have written here, one would think I despise these engines, but I love them….Just being honest…
$100 is a bargain for one of these engines with no obvious mechanical issues. You can always resell it for more if you discover major issues afterwards or just don’t feel like working on it….
Feel free to ask any specific questions you may have or post pictures of or a link to the seller’s ad…