Is there a good procedure to buy an outboard 1000 miles away & make sure it is good?

[Bumblebeeman]

I have been looking for a specific Merc outboard in central Florida and not having much luck. I have found one 1000 miles away. But it feels weird buying it without hearing it run myself, checking compression etc... Do others have experience buying an outboard from far away and having it delivered? Is there a way to make sure its a healthy engine that has worked for others in the past?

Thank you

[flabum1017]

It's a crap shoot unless you have someone you trust look at it. You could also hire a dealership to go look at it and give you a survey report.

[RSWORDS]

It's a crap shoot unless you have someone you trust look at it. You could also hire a dealership to go look at it and give you a survey report.

Yep. Where is it at? Maybe someone on here you trust and would go check it out for beer money. But remember. It's a used outboard. So just because it's fine today doesn't mean anything about a month from now.

[W2F a V-King]

Agree 100% with the two gents above ^^

Pictures are worth a lot, but nothing beats your own eyes.
I'll never buy another one without a compression AND leak down test done, and a peek in through the spark plug holes with some kind of scope. Kinda got bit myself buying my PM.

There are some really good endoscopes that plug into your smart phone for less than $20.

[Krazymaan]

Seems most people exaggerate whats good and not so good, its a blurry line. Some people don't even know to tell the truth. they are unaware that the rubber fuel lines are petrified, but you spot it in a second and they don't notice the hundreds of cracks on the wire casings and thats the first thing you see, loses rivets on the shroud, hmm. never noticed that crack under the grease before. Yep, these motors are scary to buy sight unseen for the most part.



By the way. This is a fantastic endoscope. Its the one i bought for looking into motors. plus its wireless. you wouldn't need a 9'er like mine but i use mine for consturction stuff too, pipes, furnaces, wall cavities, and stuff. Depstech Wireless Endoscope, WiFi Borescope Inspection Camera 2.0 Megapixels HD Snake Camera for Android and IOS Smartphone, iPhone, Samsung, Tablet - (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MYTHWK4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

[Steve Pope]

If you are sure the motor is what you need, Jump on a plane and go have a look.

[Krazymaan]

Is it in the twin cities?