When purchasing a used outboard.................

[macojoe]

Most motors when taken care of will make the 2000 mark!

I would first ck lower unit oil, make surwe there is no water in it!!
I had a friend buy a motr once got home and lower unit was water!

Compresion test before starting are all the numbers with in 10% of each other?

What did the plugs look like? Rust, lots of oil, just wet?? Just wet is nice.

If you know before had what kind of motor you going to look at find out what the numbers should be. some are in 100's others 90's

Start it up, did it start right up or did it stall over he place??

Does it run at idle with out jumping off stand or boat?

Is it pumping good water??

Let it run for a bit and bring a Lazer themp with you see if heads are cool

If it is a Yamaha before 1994 check the shift rod they rot down bt the cavation plate.

And the best test of all is a sea trial! But thats not always possible.

Follow all they above and you should be fine, just remember all used motors are a gamble at best!! I know thats all I have ever had!!

Good Luck, and don't be in a hurry!! You will feel it when you find the right motor!

If you think its not right but its the only thing there right now walk away!! there will be another!