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Johnson 88 Spl

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Bcorry424

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Found a great deal on a 17 ft mako with the 88spl. The boat is in stellar condition, but the motor looks old. I had an inspection done and the only thing troubling was the compression: 130,120,135,115.

Any thoughts or opinions? I've heard these motors are workhorses.
 
This is the proven V-4 crossflow engine.-----------Basically the same engine parts wise from about 79 to the mid 90's.--------------Same pistons for 25 production years of V-4 crossflow engines.---------I would be pulling the 4 small bypass covers ( 6 bolts each ) to inspect pistons and rings visually.----Will cost you the time plus 4 gaskets at $2.00 each.----------Thes motors were excellent when they left the factory, but many folks do not understand proper operation and maintenance on these things.--------It could very well be due for overhaul.---------I have seen a lot of these with broken piston rings !
 
Thanks i appreciate the response. I feel like the test is not necessarily a deal breaker, but rather a negotiating chip. Just trying to see if anyone else has run into a similar problem.
 
I have many years of experience on these motors.---Rebuilt many of them as well.-----They are quite predictable as to what goes wrong when compression is " iffy " , as in broken piston rings.---Then again you may just have a bad head gasket as well.----Only by looking and trouble shooting do you come up with the answers.
 
I am not able to really get into it, only able to have the initial testing done. Just trying to see if it would be a bad purchase. Thanks for your advice, I need the feedback, maybe a less expensive fix.
 
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