Buying a Used Outboard in Hawai‘i
What to check, and what an engine report shows.
A used outboard can be a great buy or an expensive problem. The hour meter alone does not tell the story. Here is what we look at.
Pull an engine report
Most fuel injected outboards keep a history in their computer. With the factory diagnostic software we can show:
- Total engine hours, and hours broken down by RPM range (lots of time at wide open throttle means harder use).
- How many times the engine overheated or had low oil pressure.
- Stored fault codes.
A full report gives buyers confidence and gives sellers proof the engine has been looked after.
Other checks
- Compression. The readings should be close to each other across all cylinders. One low cylinder is a warning sign.
- Lower unit oil. Milky oil means water is getting in. Metal flakes mean gear wear.
- Corrosion. Look under the cowling, at the clamp bracket and the lower unit. Bubbling paint and white powder are signs of salt damage.
- Tell-tale stream and how the engine idles and accelerates.
- Service records. Ask when the impeller, oil and gear oil were last changed.
- A sea trial, if possible, to check it reaches its rated RPM range.
Book a pre-purchase check
We do engine reports and pre-purchase checks anywhere on Oʻahu. Send us the make, model and where the boat is.
