Tough decision-need help by morning!!!

[bullfroglabat]

Today my buddy drove from Louisville Ky. To Northern Mich. to buy a 1998 Alumacraft tourn pro w/115 Yamaha 2 stroke. The boat and motor are supposed to have 30 hrs.(the guy says he just didn't fish as much as he had planed). When my buddy gets there they put it in the water and it is hard to start and misses a lot-then quits. They take the cover off and there is water in the fuel filter. At this point the guy says I'll work on it over nite and you can come by in the morning. Every thing else about the boat is perfect. I'm not any good w/motors and neither is my buddy-the question is after 2 years of not being started could there be that much condensation? If so is it likely that the motor has damage? What should he do?

[walleyefs]

These motors in the last few years are very touchy when they sit awhile. Moisture in the gas or bad gas in general is a usual problem. The best way is to bring it to a local dealer and have them look at it before you buy. They may charge you to do a compression test and check everything out, but will be well worth it if there is a problem. Good luck with your purchase.

[Shellback]

There could be that much water in the fuel, as these new gasolines break down over a period of time, they absorb alot of water. Might be a good idea to have a compression check done, that's a pretty good tell all for an outboard condition. You also may suggest to the owner to run the boat off a portable tank with fresh gas to see how it runs that way. If it runs okay off the portable, then you can be pretty sure it's a fuel problem.

[REW]

I 2nd the comment on running the motor off a portable fuel tank.
There could be a fair amount of water in a fixed tank - if the boat has not been used for a couple of years.

If the motor runs, idles, and has good top end, with good compression on all cylinders, and if the lower unit has no water in it, and the motor doesn't have any knocks, and if the boat doesn't leak, and if all of the pumps work, and if the ride is great - buy the rig.

Take care
REW

[Fishinpox]

I own a 1989 Duckworth jet-boat and it is equipt with a 115 yamaha 2 stroke. I have never had any kind of problem with this motor,but I do certain things religiously such as replace the water separator filter at least once a year, every 6 months if I'm on the river a lot.I also change the spark plugs once a year.I grease the jet-drive EVERY time I go fishing(on a prop driven motor I would suggest changing the lower end lubricant every 6 months). Two other things I strongly believe in is I never EVER run any other type of oil other than yamalube,and I always fill up with the best gas I can buy at the pump. I use my boat year arround, generaly it don't set more than 4-6weeks without being used.However if you are not going to use the boat much in the winter it needs to be winterized,all boat mechanics should know how to do this.In regards to the purchase your buddy is contemplating,if the motor starts good and doesn't miss and or die on you I would request that you be allowed to take it out on the water and run it arround a bit. If it runs smoothe and sounds smoothe and delivers good performance the next thing I would suggest is to have a compression test performed on the motor (with you watching preferably),this will tell you the over-all condition of the cylinders and cylinder walls.I would be suspicious as to wheather or not this motor has been winterized . It don't take very much water sittin arround in the cylinders to create some serious damage.Find out from a reputable mechanic what the compression reading should be before you have the test done(I don't remember for sure but it seemed like about 145lbs.)I hope this information will be of some help.

[Bad Finger]

Key thought there...."good compression on all cylinders" have it checked or buy a quality compression guage and check it yourself before you take possession.

[bullfroglabat]

Thanks to all who replied. You have been a great deal of help!