88 Evinrude 150HP

[Mr Special]

I'm thinking of purchasing a boat with this motor on it. From the few folks I've spoke too. Some say they like it, some say they hate it, and some thinks it's ok. Sounds like it's a Love/hate type of deal. Just wondering what feedback you guys can give me on this motor? Really don't want to find out the the Cons of it on the water.

Thanks

[Valv]

There will always be pros and cons on everything. Ford is worse than Dodge and Chevy, Vexilar is better than Marcum....etc, the debate is always there.

The most important thing you want from this motor is to check compression.

Buy an inexpensive $ 25 compression tester and check each cylinder, you want compression to be even on all of them.If there is more than 15% difference on a cylinder, it's bad news. Also check lower unit oil if milky or not (shouldn't).

Many people disconnect the VRO (oil injection) and run pre-mix (I suggest it) but it varies from person to person, these first years of oil injection were lethal for these motors.

If it's been sitting for few years without running, it will need carbs cleaned (at least ) or rebuilt.

These are some basic suggection for the motor, remember the compression test, it's very important.

[Mr Special]

Thanks Valv,

Just wondering what should be preferred compression? That pre-mix idea sounds great also.

Again Thanks

[delmuts]

i ran a 88 johnston 175 for six years without any problems and it still ran great when i sold the boat last spring! my $.02

[Mr Special]

Sounding better and better. The owner was really good at taking care of the boat and motor with limited use. But check compression seems like a very smart thing to do.

Thanks guys

[Valv]

I don't know compression from factory, but most outboards have around 110lbs/125lbs compression.

Now, there are some OMCs (Evinrude/Johnson) that had lower compression from start, due to changes in piston design to fight unleaded gas and other issues, they had 90lbs, but I don't remember which years they were.

Any serious seller will not have any objection to a compression test, when I sell my motors it's probably the first and most important thing I do, and if somebody asks to see it again, I am glad to show it while they are present (they also see how to do it.... )

[Mr Special]

Thanks again Valv

[EJ]

For what it is worth I just had the compression checked on my 1988 Evinrude 110 that I sold. It was 85/85/85/75 and the mechanic said that was ok since those motors were low to begin with. It also was a VRO and I never had a problem with that motor in 10 years.

EJ