outboard tipped over on a stand in my garage. cracked midsection

[ZEEK1223]

My 25hp Honda tipped over in the garage. The misection,or center cowling is cracked. I talked to a guy, and he said either weld it, or total it out. He said it would cost more to fix than it would be to buy a similar used motor.it is a 2002,or2004 four stroke. Anyone know of any good shops that I could contact,or any other advice that would be great.I'm sure someone has had this happen before. The big issue is the part is one piece of cast aluminum,and you have to take the engine off to get replace it.thanks

[Surface Tension]

Bring it into a prop shop or someone that specializes in welding aluminum and get an estimate. I don't think the price of repair will remotely come close to a used one in same year. Removing the powerhead and lower isn't that big a deal. Depending on the crack it might not need to be taken apart. It might not even effect it structurally. Next option is finding a used mid section at a salvage.

[ZEEK1223]

I took it into a shop,this morning. He looked at it for a while, and just said no. He wanted to work on it but he just didnt think he could weld in such a small area. He said if I could get the piece off the motor, he would work on it for me. Do you have an idea of what the cost would be to have the part removed?

[Surface Tension]

One of the mods here that work on these every day could tell you what labor would be to remove the mid section and then resemble once you had the repair done.

[boatfixer]

can you point out what part you are taliking about?

[ZEEK1223]

It is the bottom right pic.its cracked on the back,where the hood latches.

[Surface Tension]

Thanks Bruce.

If it still latches I wouldn't worry about it. Its just a lower cowling.

If it were mine I'd dead end the crack by drilling a 3/16 hole at the end of the crack.

If that area is weak then a possible a patch of made from aluminum attached with pop rivets.

Can you take a picture?

[ZEEK1223]

It is bent in, and does not latch. There is actually a piece missing that cracked off like an egg shell. I will try to take some pictures

[delcecchi]

If you have all the pieces, maybe jb weld?

[ZEEK1223]

[delcecchi]

Uff Da. That is more than cracked. I wonder if twin cities outboard might have a used part. What do they get for a new one? Would your insurance of some sort cover it?

[Surface Tension]

Yeah, that is a bit more damage then I pictured.

I'd try and find a used part.

[PTocko]

That's a fairly new motor - I have to imagine that you can still get that part from Honda. I certainly wouldn't total it out. I'm guessing because it is so new you might have a difficult time finding a used part or a salvage. Have you priced the part out yet? Seriously it can't be that much relative to the value of the motor - per NADA and I don't know the specifics of your motor it is appears to be worth around $1200. Good Luck, Paul

[delcecchi]

That's a fairly new motor - I have to imagine that you can still get that part from Honda. I certainly wouldn't total it out. I'm guessing because it is so new you might have a difficult time finding a used part or a salvage. Have you priced the part out yet? Seriously it can't be that much relative to the value of the motor - per NADA and I don't know the specifics of your motor it is appears to be worth around $1200. Good Luck, Paul

I looked on the web and it appears the part is like $600 new, if I read the list right. That might be for some sort of assembly. I still might try JB Weld if I had all the pieces.

[shorefisher]

If it was mine I would go with JB weld.

[delcecchi]

If it was mine I would go with JB weld.

Yep. If that doesn't work, one could always buy the part.

[ZEEK1223]

The worst part about the whole thing is that its not even my motor. Its my neighbors, pretty sick about it.

[delcecchi]

The worst part about the whole thing is that its not even my motor. Its my neighbors, pretty sick about it.

Oh, that's different. Gotta fix it right if it isn't yours, at least that's what I would think. Have you talked to your insurance agent? I wouldn't be surprised if your homeowner insurance wouldn't be applicable to this in some way. And it shouldn't be a big enough claim to get them in an uproar.

[jasper60103]

Just so there's no hard feelings, you could offer to buy the motor from him or have it repaired. Let him decide.

[ZEEK1223]

I offered to buy it from him, he didnt seem to like that idea. He values it at $4,000. What would you guys value it at? I think its an 2002, or 2004

[Surface Tension]

Yea, you'll need to find a replacement part.

New lower cover $600

It is fairly new so it'll be harder to find a used part.

Good thing is that salvage yards even though they don't have one they network..

Good Luck.

You can buy a new 25 hp Honda for $4000.

[Northlander]

There has to be a salvage place with that part. getting it put on will probably be costly though.

[delcecchi]

I think I would fix it or get it fixed. Then there shouldn't be any hard feelings by one party or the other thinking they got ripped off.

I still think it is probably covered by your home owner's insurance, unless you have one of those huge deductibles.

[Larson15]

I see that there is a whole Honda 25 mid-section for sale on that " big auction HSOforum that starts with E".

You might want to try and contact the seller or bid on it. Probably your best bet.