I'm pulling the trigger guys...help me decide!

BuilderFL · #1 08-07-2008, 04:10 PM

That is, if I get the blessing from my fellow member, specially Spare and Theferm.

Ok guys, I'm going to go see this on Saturday, what do you think.

"1998 MERCURY 200 EFI - $2900
RUNS GREAT A MUST SEE CALL 239-289-4123

Called the guy up (Capt. Chris) and said he's not the original owner but this is a 9 out of 10. About $1,700 on new parts but not a rebuilt...hum?

If any of you "Outboard Masters" are up to it, maybe you can give him a call and ask the important questions and then give me your professional opinion.

Thanks

http://fortmyers.craigslist.org/boa/785786221.html

macojoe · #2 08-07-2008, 04:54 PM

Is it the 3 liter?? If so I just passed on 3 of them cause of the gas they use. Good Luck!

spareparts · #3 08-07-2008, 05:53 PM

200 efi should be a 2.5. Thats a real good price. Its easy to spend that kind of money on one if your have fuel injection problems. Check the compresion, and spark, find out exactly what that money was spent on.

spareparts · #4 08-07-2008, 07:27 PM

Ferm, I can't remeber, but that should have a digital ecu, I don't think the DDT will read it, is there anyway to read hours? I know with the 555 ecu you can read hours.

Builder, what I'm getting at is be carefull of total hours on any engine in an area that doesn't have an off season. Take a real good look at teh wivel shaft, see if its ben worked on or if its loose. Thats one place that shows wear that most people won't try to fix,l or if its been worked on recently(lots of hours), you should be able to tell

THEFERMANATOR · #5 08-07-2008, 09:29 PM

A 98 200 should be a 2.5L like SPARE said. Also one of the better tuned 200's according to the guys over on screamandfly. Check it over good though, and try to verify the year of it before you go to look at it. The picture looks like a newer cowling, possibly a 3.0L's. Around 2000 or so the 200's went to the 3.0L's from the older 2.5L's, so the year makes a difference. Try to get an actual picture of the powerhead if possible from him to help ID it. A 98 would also have a digital controller, but it wouldn't be a 555. So no way to get the hours out of it. And like SPARE said, check the steering arm and the lower pivot mounting bracket. The lower pivot bracket wears out on these things from what I have seen. And the snap ring that goes on the pivot shaft is a good indicator as to how much saltwater useage it has seen.