i got a question up for discussion.maybe the guys older than me and more experience with motors can answer this.why is it that i see some guys with newer motors having more problems with there motors than a guy with an older year models like 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.then i see some older motors with no problems at all.why is that.were some of the older motors built better than the newer year models…
less sensors.
green grass and high tides forever
jhp----- Murrells Inlet
Simpler design? Less to go wrong? Agree with ya, have a 19yo merc 115 that has given me less problems over the years then many other brand new motors have given me.
Russ B.
God is great, Beer is good, People are crazy
Good question there gf. I had a 55hp Evinrude that broke down once in 25 years (one broke wire). Now have that 04’ f150 Yami it has broke down 3 times, and like tideline said it’s all in those sensors. Even a slightly loose, or corroded, battery cable will turn the motor over fine, but sets off those sensors that will shut the motor down.
Key West 196;150 Yammie
Life Is Good…Gotta Love It!!!
i guess you guys are right about the sensors.i neva thought about that.when i look back all of my newer models i had more problems with.my older models stayed running like a champ.lately i been seeing alot of guys on here reporting there problems with there motors and they be newer 90s and 2000s…
I have wondered that same exact thing many times…I am glad you put this question up. I am interested in seeing responses from different view points. I would agree with the sensors but are there that many more sensors that would make a motor quit? I know some may set an alarm off but other than low oil…what else on “todays” motors would make it quit or give it problems.
Mine is a 16 year old Mercury and has never given me any problems at all. I was always worried hearing about people with new motors getting towed back to the hill…even the Seatow Captain said he has mostly seen new equipment failing
Mike
“Seahawk” 204CC Angler, 150 Merc
just made the remark last night after rebuilding the carbs on my 89 merc how well the late 80 models are built --anybody with a little bit of mechanical knowledge can work on em and they just seem to be more dependable -my 89 yamaha has low oil and overheat sensors but they have never given me any trouble-i think the manufacturers just took more time and pride in their products in the past -everything now is built to be disposable
84 HYDRA SPORT 1800SS
89 Yamaha 150
‘BAD HABIT’
89 TRACKER 17 TX
MERC 50
‘OL LEAKY’
I agree about the sensers and all the bells and whistles. It works the other way as well.
I owned a 1986 Evirude that had passed thru several people, could not keep it running right. My dad got it for a steal. He set the link & sink by the manual, replaced a few minor parts and it ran me for years before upgrading last year…
Having the right guy work on it means lot as well. This motor had three or four folks under the hood that missed the simple.
I think all in all the new technology will make for more dependability, in the long run…
18’ Mckeecraft
115 Suzuki 4
Like older vs. newer diesel engines, technology IMHO has ruined something that was once “bullet-proof”. All the sensors, computer BS, and expertise it takes to work on a new engine really makes me wonder if we are “moving forward”. Sure we get better fuel economy in our 4-strokers and they are cleaner, but at what cost?? Older diesels got much better fuel economy that today’s turbo diesels which are bogged down with emissions BS, BTW!
From a personal perspective, I have a '97 70 'Rude that would not run when I bought it earlier this year because the PO allowed water to get inside the fuel tank which ended up in the carbs. After buying a factory service manual for $25, rebuilding and re-adjusting the three carbs, adjusting the timing, replacing the t-stat and giving her a new fuel tank and in-line filter she is my favorite motor EVER. She runs like a raped ape, idles well, starts like a champ and is pretty good on fuel as long as I don’t run over 4500 RPM. Now if my Suzuki 200 needs anything more than an oil/gear lube change…it is going to the shop!
regardless… Would you rather be 50 miles out with a 1990 Yammy, or a 2006 Merc?
Newest outboard i ever had was a 1996, so i have no idea about any of this… I can find the spark plugs on a old motor.
Pull the cover off a 4 stroke and think i am looking at a space ship.
2502 trophy twin 175 mercs
“The Rum Runner”
For sale… $12.5k Get offshore cheap!!! Reduced… $11.5k, $10k, $9k … a pretty bad video of it…
http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm210/coates2122/?action=view¤t=video-2009-08-13-16-25-30.flv
The old 2 strokers were built to run WTFO!!! The newer ones were made to run for a little while!!! No money, if no Shop Labor, just like the Auto. Business!
yep my 150 merc has performed flawlessly since 1978. but man i sure do pay for it at the pump!. love it just the same though. ran all day sat while shrimpin. in and outa gear and it performed like always. did i mention it loves gas?
There are many parallels to the auto industry. The guy who started VW wanted a “people’s car” – one that the owners could work on. He’d roll over in his grave if he saw what VW was producing today. (I used to own a 2004 VW Jetta turbo – it was great until it broke down. I had to get the assistance of a Professional Engineer to change out a water pump.)
Think about the old muscle cars and how simple there were to work on. Kids were swapping engines in their driveways back in the 60s and 70s during a weekend. Now, you’ve got to have a PhD to open up the hood on your car.
It’s unfortunate, but a sign of the times. I am in the minority because I kinda like the smell of burnt fuel and the simplicity of the old school engines.
quote:
It’s unfortunate, but a sign of the times. I am in the minority because I kinda like the smell of burnt fuel and the simplicity of the old school engines.
+1
Mike
“Seahawk” 204CC Angler, 150 Merc
+2-- there is nothing i love more than backing through the smoke from a old 2-stroke mixing with the morning air at the ramp --been smelling that since childhood and its just one of those things that take me way back to some good times
84 HYDRA SPORT 1800SS
89 Yamaha 150
‘BAD HABIT’
89 TRACKER 17 TX
MERC 50
‘OL LEAKY’
I’m knocking on wood right now but I’m still running a '86 70 Hp Evinrude that my granddad bought new. Have replaced the power pack and coils but nothing major so far.
quote:
Originally posted by poboy+2-- there is nothing i love more than backing through the smoke from a old 2-stroke mixing with the morning air at the ramp --been smelling that since childhood and its just one of those things that take me way back to some good times
84 HYDRA SPORT 1800SS
89 Yamaha 150
‘BAD HABIT’
89 TRACKER 17 TX
MERC 50
‘OL LEAKY’
+3
At the lake a few weeks back, a girl riding with a friend of mine (on a tri-toon with a nice, clean, quiet F150) leaned over the edge toward my boat when I fired up my '89 johnson 140 and said “I LOVE that smell!” as she took in a big whif.
I do find myself wishing for a new motor, mainly for fuel economy, but otherwise I like the old ones–I like the sound, the smell, and the simplicity–not to mention that it weighs 100 lbs. less than most comperable-power 4-strokes on the market these days.
Parts are cheap, and problem diagnosis is about as straightforward as it gets. Not to mention, I’d like to see a new four-stroke survive being submerged & filled with sand like my motor was without a complete rebuild! (Still running strong after a summer of use!)
Baker
Old, beat up 17’ McKee
1995 Johnson 88 spl - runs solid. Nothing on it that I can’t fix after asking a few question here, of course 
I’d love to have a new E-Tec 90 or 115.
But, the old 88 just won’t die.
'Reminds me… time to change the foot oil.
17’ Henry O Hornet
26’ Palmer Scott
quote:We have a 23' Robolo at the shop, with twin '78 140 hp Evinrides,(yes Evinrides) I'd rather be 50 miles out knowing what I have,(dependable power) than to guess! My Step-Dad has an '05 Merc. 150, with so many bells, and whistles, we can't even figure out which alarm is going off when!! Been back to the dealer several times, They can't figure it out either???:face_with_head_bandage:
Originally posted by coates2122regardless… Would you rather be 50 miles out with a 1990 Yammy, or a 2006 Merc?
Newest outboard i ever had was a 1996, so i have no idea about any of this… I can find the spark plugs on a old motor.
Pull the cover off a 4 stroke and think i am looking at a space ship.2502 trophy twin 175 mercs
“The Rum Runner”
For sale… $12.5k Get offshore cheap!!! Reduced… $11.5k, $10k, $9k … a pretty bad video of it…
http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm210/coates2122/?action=view¤t=video-2009-08-13-16-25-30.flv
the only thing on my boat thats from 1978 was friend i would not be 50 miles offshore with twenty year old motors