Aprox date for this engine please

JSP · 14 October 2008, 13:44

Fella whom I'm buying off says the whole boat is around 7 years old. I'm not to up on outboard motors so any info would be great too.
Looks to me like a standard shaft? And what year would you say?
Thanks in advance.

Andy JC · 14 October 2008, 14:15

A rough guess would say the motor's probably more like double that, maybe 13-14 yrs

This one looks similar and the owner states it's a 1995 (13yrs old)

If it was only 7 years old the styling would be something more like this

(still a good engine though and provided it runs well, worth what you paid

)

As for the boat itself I'm not sure but wouldn't be surprised if it's around the same age.

JSP · 14 October 2008, 15:41

Thanks Andy,
I had looked at both of those engines trying to work it out for meself so glad to know I was in the right direction.
How hard are they to service yourself? And what kind of cost would I be looking at?

Thanks

Nasher · 14 October 2008, 15:48

JSP

Try to get the serial number off the saddle or powerhead.
Most Outboard serial numbers can be checked on a website somewhere or other that will tell you what the various codes mean so you can date it.

I warn you though, a lot of people do this and are quite dissapointed when they find out just how old the engine they've just brought is compared to what the seller said.

Don't worry though, it looks in reasonable condition, and if it looks good its probably been looked after, in that case for an engine of this type the age is largely of no concern.
However at this stage if you can prove its much older than stated it might be bargaining point.

Servicing is quite easy, most service parts are available like plugs, gearbox oil etc, and don't forget to change the water pump impellor, which should be about £10 or £15.

Nasher.

JSP · 14 October 2008, 16:14

I'll get the SN number off it when I get my greasy mits on it, thanks Nasher.
Here's what the advert said about the motor,
" THE ENGINE IS A 40 HP TWO-STROKE MANUAL START WITH AUTOLUBE IT RUNS WELL AND HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED , IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN FLUSHED WITH FRESH WATER ( USING THE EAR PHONES THAT COME WITH IT )AND UNDER THE ENGINE COVER IT HAS ALL BEEN KEPT LIGHTLY GREASED SO THERE IS NO CORROSION. THE WHOLE THING IS APPROX 7 YEARS OLD......"

I'm going to see where local is best to get service bits and bobs and need marine 2 stroke. I've read that the autolube models can go wrong though and your best adding the oil to the fuel yourself ??? That doesn't sound right to me though.

Nos4r2 · 14 October 2008, 17:55

Yamaha autolube is OK on those motors. Engine is somewhere around '95 as hightower said. I'd expect the whole rig to be around that age. Still a good price though.

Kernow Buoy · 14 October 2008, 18:31

Yamaha have a 'hidden' letter stamped on the plate, its not in the silver box with the serial no's its....... hang on I'll go and check.....

got it, its in the very bottom right hand corner of this pic, you can just see it if you look really closely mine is a 'Z', took 3 or 4 goes to find it having convinced myself there wasn't one, with that letter you'll then find its age on the net but don't look on U. S. sites, Yamaha number theirs differently.

Nasher · 14 October 2008, 18:31

Tell the seller you need to insure it for the journey home and your insurers want the engine serial number before placing cover.
This may not be too far off the truth anyway as they'll want it sooner or later.

Although I do think you've done OK, and its not a reason to pull out, the advert is misleading, and proof the engine is older when you collect may be useful to have up your sleeve.

Nasher.

Andy JC · 14 October 2008, 18:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Engine is somewhere around '95 as hightower said.

erm... am I missing something here Nos

Surely you can't be mixing us up, tother Andy is at least a foot taller than me

JSP · 14 October 2008, 18:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Yamaha autolube is OK on those motors. Engine is somewhere around '95 as hightower said. I'd expect the whole rig to be around that age. Still a good price though.

If the Autolube went buggered can you still just mix in the tank?

JSP · 14 October 2008, 19:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kernow

Yamaha have a 'hidden' letter stamped on the plate, its not in the silver box with the serial no's its....... hang on I'll go and check.....

got it, its in the very bottom right hand corner of this pic, you can just see it if you look really closely mine is a 'Z', took 3 or 4 goes to find it having convinced myself there wasn't one, with that letter you'll then find its age on the net but don't look on U. S. sites, Yamaha number theirs differently.

Thanks Kernow! Would have never know

JSP · 14 October 2008, 19:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Tell the seller you need to insure it for the journey home and your insurers want the engine serial number before placing cover.
This may not be too far off the truth anyway as they'll want it sooner or later.

Although I do think you've done OK, and its not a reason to pull out, the advert is misleading, and proof the engine is older when you collect may be useful to have up your sleeve.

Nasher.

I don't think I'll budge him anymore. He wanted around 2 grand for it and Mrs (always) Right always does the haggling for me and she's not coming to pick up. I couldn't haggle or argue my way out of a McDonalds play area! I lose my temper to quick (the last time it happened I had teelitubie shoe imprints all over me!) But you do have a very good point! hmmm will mule that one over

Nasher · 14 October 2008, 19:37

Its just me I'm afraid as I work in procurement. Always have a fall back plan to gain the upper hand if negotiations start to go wrong.

It's not that you want to haggle him down, just that if something negative happens when you get there, like something else you'd not noticed, something you'd not been told, or something he drops on you, then being able to pull something else from up your sleeve like "Oh and of course the engine is far older than you said because the serial number proves its a 19??" could give you the upper hand in any conversation.

Nasher

JSP · 14 October 2008, 20:25

I like your thinking mate. In fact I wish I could have you with me sometimes when completing orders with customers!
I'll contact him

Downhilldai · 14 October 2008, 20:30

If the decals are original, that motor's around 1991.

JSP · 14 October 2008, 20:37

Thanks mate

This is like meeting a women in a night club...she gets older the more you get to know her!

The age doesn't and as far as I've read shouldn't bother me to much as long as it's been looked after. Will find out better this weekend but wont find out how she runs until the weekend after

So a possible 1991-95 then until I'm sent the SN

Nasher · 14 October 2008, 21:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

Thanks mate

This is like meeting a women in a night club...she gets older the more you get to know her!
:

better that than finding out she's too young....er....afterwards.

Nasher.

Nos4r2 · 14 October 2008, 21:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

If the Autolube went buggered can you still just mix in the tank?

You can. Not sure what premix to use though-it'll either be 50:1 or 100:1. Yamaha varied depending on the engine with no logical progression.

Nos4r2 · 14 October 2008, 21:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy JC

erm... am I missing something here Nos

Surely you can't be mixing us up, tother Andy is at least a foot taller than me

erm.....

JSP · 14 October 2008, 21:45

Quote:

You can. Not sure what premix to use though-it'll either be 50:1 or 100:1. Yamaha varied depending on the engine with no logical progression.

Nice one. It may tell me in the manual that Nos4r2 linked to.