Power Head Replacement Cost for 1988 Johnson 90 VRO

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Author Topic:   Power Head Replacement Cost for 1988 Johnson 90 VRO

kend posted 08-09-2008 10:42 AM ET (US)
I have been told by a local marine repair facility that the powerhead needs to be replaced on my 1988 Johnson 90 VRO at a cost of $3,000. Is this worthwhile? Should I be looking for a used motor? Or new motor? The motor is on my 1988 [Boston Whaler MONTAUK].
Also, I would like advice on confirming that the powerhead is bad. All of a sudden the motor would not run at idle and became hard to start. Once started and at full throttle it would only run at 60-percent of power, but ran fine at higher speeds. I assumed it was a fuel problem or a fuel pump problem as the motor seem to be sucking air and not getting enough fuel. Should I get a second opinion>
I love the boat and do not want to sell it so I am looking for the best solution.
Thanks for any advice.
jimh posted 08-09-2008 12:06 PM ET (US)
A power head re-building is generally called for when there is damage to the cylinder walls to a degree which causes the affected cylinder to not be able to maintain compression. A compression check of the cylinder usually reveals the problem.
I do not recommend you have the engine rebuilt by your current mechanic. I explain:
When an engine power head is rebuilt the greatest portion of the expense is an investment in the labor and skill of the mechanic performing the rebuilding. One essentially places all their trust in the mechanic and his skills. In the current discussion it appears that the owner has little faith in the mechanic, as he appears to suspect the mechanic's recommendation that a rebuild is even necessary. I do not recommend proceeding with a rebuilding of the power head if there is already such a untrustworthy relationship between owner and mechanic.
Tom W Clark posted 08-09-2008 12:09 PM ET (US)
I do not recommend spending $3,000 to rebuild a motor that will be worth only $2,000 (at best) when the work is completed.
Buy another motor, new or used.
Tohsgib posted 08-09-2008 12:19 PM ET (US)
There are MANY great used engines out there for that kind of money and a new 90 2 stroke is only $5k+. Locally there was a 2006 70 Suzuki 4 stroke for $3500 or BO and there is a 2005 115 Yamaha 4 stroke for $4k obo. Look around, you'll find something and be more happy than with a rebuild which are never "quite" right again.
home Aside posted 08-09-2008 12:45 PM ET (US)
Kend,
I see you are from Michigan. Depending on where in Michigan, you may be in the backyard of a well known Evinrude/Johnson Dealer in business since 1918. You may want to contact them for a second opinion, if you will.
Lockeman's Hardware & Boats http://www.lockemans.com/ is considered by many to be Evinrude's top service oriented dealer. Give Dave Zammit a call and talk to him, it may be worth taking your boat in for him to diagnose for you. There are several members here including Jimh, Buckda, JeffsOutrage and myself, who regularly patronize Lockeman's.
I've been doing business with Lockeman's since 1992, in 2003 Lockeman's rebuilt the 1982 Evinrude 90 on my 1982 Montauk. At the time I too was struggling with the sell the rig, rebuild the engine, can I afford a new engine dilema. At the time Dave probably could have sold me a new motor, instead he looked at the situation, recommended rebuilding the motor for $2,300.00, getting a 2-3 years more use out of it and then trading it in or selling it for what I paid for the rebuild. At the time I recall him saying that after he rebuilt the motor, with proper care & maintenance there was no reason I shouldn't be able to get another 10 years service out of it. I rebuilt the motor....
I took it to the North Channel in 2004 for an 8 day 613 Mile Cruise, with the exception of a couple of mounting bolts on the starter motor shearing, the engine ran flawlessly.
In 2006 I sold the 1982 Montauk with the rebuilt 1982 Evinrude 90 & trailer for $10,000 cash. I paid $8,000 for the whole rig in 1992....
It might be worth it for you to make a call to Lockeman's
While I don't necessarily disagree with Tom Clark's opinion on this, not everyone can afford a new motor or a newer used motor at the drop of a hat, my suggestions are just that suggestions, based on my personal experience at Lockeman's. Good luck...
Pat

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Author	Topic: Power Head Replacement Cost for 1988 Johnson 90 VRO
kend	posted 08-09-2008 10:42 AM ET (US) I have been told by a local marine repair facility that the powerhead needs to be replaced on my 1988 Johnson 90 VRO at a cost of $3,000. Is this worthwhile? Should I be looking for a used motor? Or new motor? The motor is on my 1988 [Boston Whaler MONTAUK]. Also, I would like advice on confirming that the powerhead is bad. All of a sudden the motor would not run at idle and became hard to start. Once started and at full throttle it would only run at 60-percent of power, but ran fine at higher speeds. I assumed it was a fuel problem or a fuel pump problem as the motor seem to be sucking air and not getting enough fuel. Should I get a second opinion> I love the boat and do not want to sell it so I am looking for the best solution. Thanks for any advice.
jimh	posted 08-09-2008 12:06 PM ET (US) A power head re-building is generally called for when there is damage to the cylinder walls to a degree which causes the affected cylinder to not be able to maintain compression. A compression check of the cylinder usually reveals the problem. I do not recommend you have the engine rebuilt by your current mechanic. I explain: When an engine power head is rebuilt the greatest portion of the expense is an investment in the labor and skill of the mechanic performing the rebuilding. One essentially places all their trust in the mechanic and his skills. In the current discussion it appears that the owner has little faith in the mechanic, as he appears to suspect the mechanic's recommendation that a rebuild is even necessary. I do not recommend proceeding with a rebuilding of the power head if there is already such a untrustworthy relationship between owner and mechanic.
Tom W Clark	posted 08-09-2008 12:09 PM ET (US) I do not recommend spending $3,000 to rebuild a motor that will be worth only $2,000 (at best) when the work is completed. Buy another motor, new or used.
Tohsgib	posted 08-09-2008 12:19 PM ET (US) There are MANY great used engines out there for that kind of money and a new 90 2 stroke is only $5k+. Locally there was a 2006 70 Suzuki 4 stroke for $3500 or BO and there is a 2005 115 Yamaha 4 stroke for $4k obo. Look around, you'll find something and be more happy than with a rebuild which are never "quite" right again.
home Aside	posted 08-09-2008 12:45 PM ET (US) Kend, I see you are from Michigan. Depending on where in Michigan, you may be in the backyard of a well known Evinrude/Johnson Dealer in business since 1918. You may want to contact them for a second opinion, if you will. Lockeman's Hardware & Boats http://www.lockemans.com/ is considered by many to be Evinrude's top service oriented dealer. Give Dave Zammit a call and talk to him, it may be worth taking your boat in for him to diagnose for you. There are several members here including Jimh, Buckda, JeffsOutrage and myself, who regularly patronize Lockeman's. I've been doing business with Lockeman's since 1992, in 2003 Lockeman's rebuilt the 1982 Evinrude 90 on my 1982 Montauk. At the time I too was struggling with the sell the rig, rebuild the engine, can I afford a new engine dilema. At the time Dave probably could have sold me a new motor, instead he looked at the situation, recommended rebuilding the motor for $2,300.00, getting a 2-3 years more use out of it and then trading it in or selling it for what I paid for the rebuild. At the time I recall him saying that after he rebuilt the motor, with proper care & maintenance there was no reason I shouldn't be able to get another 10 years service out of it. I rebuilt the motor.... I took it to the North Channel in 2004 for an 8 day 613 Mile Cruise, with the exception of a couple of mounting bolts on the starter motor shearing, the engine ran flawlessly. In 2006 I sold the 1982 Montauk with the rebuilt 1982 Evinrude 90 & trailer for $10,000 cash. I paid $8,000 for the whole rig in 1992.... It might be worth it for you to make a call to Lockeman's While I don't necessarily disagree with Tom Clark's opinion on this, not everyone can afford a new motor or a newer used motor at the drop of a hat, my suggestions are just that suggestions, based on my personal experience at Lockeman's. Good luck... Pat