posted 11-17-2004 06:28 PM ET (US)        

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I'm sniffing around a used ( and I do mean used ) Outrage 18 that is powered by a V4 engine made by Evinrude. Perhaps 135 HP although the motor cover has been painted black so that only the raised EVINRUDE logo tells me the manufacturer's name. Its probably the motor that came with the boat in 1985. There is an oil tank in the centre console so I can assume its an oil injected 2 Stroke. With the top off, the engine looks clean - no signs of internal bolts having been removed from the power head for maintenance. Some obvious wiring replacements.

If I buy the boat can I expect to be able to use this engine for a few more years? Any reason not to give it a chance? I'll obviously check out the compression prior to making an offer.

posted 11-17-2004 07:57 PM ET (US)            

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I think the V4s stopped at about 115 HP. Get the model number
off the engine, that will tell exactly what it is and when
it was built.

Whether you can continue to use it or not is a function of how
it was used and maintained. Get a good Evinrude mechanic to
check it out.

Chuck

posted 11-17-2004 07:58 PM ET (US)            

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And "obvious wiring replacements" says "amateur mechanic".
If it was a good job, you shouldn't be able to tell.

Chuck

posted 11-17-2004 08:30 PM ET (US)            

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The crossflow V-4's were made with up to 140hp. Look for a bubble backed exhaust as opposed to a flat plate between the cylinder heads, a telltale clue of the 135-140hp engines. The crossflow V-4's are robust motors and have certainly provided excellent service for many of us but they do like to smoke and drink when compared to newer offerings. Motor could chug on another 18 years or drop dead tomorrow for a piece of mind have a qualified mechanic look it over or at the least have a compression and or leak down test done and check lower unit oil.

Brian

posted 11-17-2004 08:54 PM ET (US)            

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A good OMC mechanic will be able to decipher the HP based on the model number of the engine, presuming they didn't paint over that ID plate too heavily...

From general observations around this board for a number of years, the only V4 OMC with a bad reputation was the TurboJet... A compression test will tell quite a bit. A compression test told me I had problems with my 115Hp TurboJet. It started and ran fine, despite having injetsted a portion of one of it's compression rings. Fortunately, I knew the compression readings when I bought the boat, and adjusted my pricing accordingly. The seller's mechanic provided the engine compression tests.

posted 11-17-2004 10:01 PM ET (US)            

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Raised letters that say Evinrude on the cowl is another indicator that the engine is indeed probably a 1985 and therefore a crossflow (later engines had flat decals). If by chance it is a 60 degree looper v-4 all the better. Take a look at the carbs if it has 2 it is a crossflow and if it has 4 it is a looper. Either way these are fine engines and a desirable boat better move quickly if you want it.

Brian

posted 11-20-2004 12:41 PM ET (US)            

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OMC (and later Bombardier) produced V-4s up to 140 hp. They have done so since 1977, though a 135 hp was made as far back as 1973 and a 125 hp as far back as 1971.

If the outboard in question is a 1985 Evinrude V-4, then it would be a 140, 120, 115 or 90 hp model. The former two models being the so called "Big Block" V-4s which were basically half of the V-8. If it is the 140 hp model it may, or may not, have the larger gearcase of the V-6 models.

posted 11-23-2004 12:37 AM ET (US)            

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Judge, I'll check it out on Wednesday.

Thanks