1991 200hp Mariner

[damnedifido]

Im looking at purchasing a boat that has a 1991 200hp Mariner. I haven't found a lot of info on this motor and just happened across this forum. Is there any thing in particular to look for or to be wary of? I plan on checking the oil in the lower unit and doing a compression test. Is there anything these outboards are notorious for?

Thanks ahead,

 

[galamb]

I'm thinking this was the 2.5 L block (150'ish cubic inches) - so initially too many horses for the displacement.

Anytime your horsepower to displacement ration exceeds 1:1 the motor "wears" harder (which is why Indy car motors are rebuilt after just about every outing).

Do test the compression, get any "actual" service records available. See it running.

If the hours are low that means it wasn't used and that almost always means it didn't see maintenance.

At 24'ish years old I would be looking for it to have 2000 hours on it if it was "used regularly", 1000-2000 hours would be "used", under 1000 hours = neglected/sat around.

Low hours can = many bucks replacing everything that has sat and rotted so be prepared - 3 carb kits (1 per pair) and a water pump kit will run close to 400 bucks - make it an even thousand if you want a shop to do the work.

If it's running well (and not just on a flusher - need to take it out and put it through the ranges) maybe place a value of 1000-1500 bucks for the motor when considering a price for the whole package.

If it "needs a tune-up" but the compression is good and it at least has spark I would place the value of the motor (as part of the package) at no more than 500 bucks. Yes, the individual components are worth a lot more, but let someone else part it out and test the components then sell them if they want the "salvage value".

Should have added - aside from being a little light on displacement no "legacy" issues come immediately to mind with this model - it is earlier than the CDM ignitions/fuel injection, so a fairly straight forward 2 stroke design.

 

[faztbullet]

The 1991 are real good motors and the only issues you should have normal ones due to todays fuel. (0% of the 91 motor came from factory with 14 pedal reeds instead of the 10 pedal which give it more umph on top end and there is nothing wrong with the displacement.

Anytime your horsepower to displacement ration exceeds 1:1 the motor "wears" harder (which is why Indy car motors are rebuilt after just about every outing).

The reason these are rebuilt every race are: 4stroke=twice the wear,11000-12000 rpm, 15 to 17:1 compression rations, every rotating item in engine grows in length due to stretch as the piston and rod reach about 12000 lbs of force at top of stoke then reverses and start over again.

 

[Keithm18]

I have this same motor and it's a beast for me. Has given me a little grief every here and there to be expected for a motor that is 23 years old. It' definitely the 2.5 litre and may have the "pumper carbs" little accelerator pumps on each carb. Some don't like them, mine work great after getting them dialled in properly.

check compression and if you can get current owner to test on the water under different engine speads and loads. That will show you many things. Running it on muffs in the drive way means very little.

Lot's of people have lot's of opions on removing oil injection, idle stabilizer etc etc. mine is 100% stock and with good maintenance i'm expecting it to last another 10 years at least. That said if previous owners did no maintenance it could be complete junk. Water testing is the only real way to tell.