[Polkster]

I have a 2001 Seaswirl Striper WA 2300 with a 2001 Johnson 200 hp 2 stroke carb engine. Recently at the end of November I went to start it and after 3 tries I got it started (normal for colder months) and after it started it was making a higher pitched noise. I revved it up thinking maybe since it was cold, it was just a weird noise, but noise did not go away. Soon after, the engine suddently made another winding noise and suddenly stopped. When I turned the key the motor did not even turn. NOT GOOD. I had it towed to Herrington Harbour North where I keep it for the winter and it was just pulled and Mike from Cooks Marine is currently working on it. His initial thought was the starter got stuck in the flywheel possibly due to bad batteries and didn't disengage. It could just need to be popped back down or replace the starter. Well he just called me and said it is not the starter, possibly something more major such as blown piston or bad rod or something. I trust Mike as he has done good work in the past. I am just thinking about worst case scenario. If he comes back with a high dollar figure to repair the engine do I pay to have it repaired or suck it up and buy a new engine? I found out recently that a new repower to say a 225 Yammy 4 stroke would be about $17k including mounting fees, and cables, and controls. YIKES. My wife says $17k still way less than a newer boat. Which is true. (By the way, we just paid this boat off 2 months ago ARGG) Without knowing exactly the problem and cost yet, at what point would you not repair the engine and just bite the bullet to get a new one. I understand my boat to be worth about $19k - $23k with this engine on it (working) and probably close to $25k- $30k with a new 4 stroke or newer Etec engine (my guess) --in other words I will not get the $$ out of it that I put into the engine. Long range for us is to get a bigger boat in the 30-33 ft size -like a searay express, but most likely not for at least 2-3 years. The Walkaround is fine, we just would like a boat bigger for cruising and overnights. I do more cruising than fishing, but it works fine for both, for most circumstances.

I am hoping repairs are less than $3k, but I have no idea what it will really cost and wonder if worth putting much more into a 2stroke carb engine. Thanks in advance for your advice. -Andy

 

[JimRockfish]

Andy - I would set an upper limit on what I would spend on the 200 but I would be somewhat liberal. The Johnson may be lower end but it's actually a very good motor and should hold up for many years once repaired. Point is... if you have to put, let's say $3500 into it, you have a great boat and motor that are paid off (again soon). Maybe you go 10 more years with no payments and if not, you haven't lost that much. I also have a 2000 Striper / Johnson and plan to repower to Etec one day but I hope that day is at least 5 years, preferably 8-10 away. I'll buy a new Etec 200 and then later buy a boat without a motor when needed and swap out the motor onto the new hull. I'm sold on Etec technology. Jim

 

[hackeyfly]

More than likely you're looking at a new or rebuilt powerhead if it's a rod or a piston. Check around online for pricing on the powerhead alone, than add the estimated labor. My guess is 3K-6K for the parts, and 5-10 hrs labor, but these are wild guesses. I'd be interested to know an actual quote.
Pat in Joppa

 

[bigmouth]

find out how much a new powerhead is

 

[hard ripples]

That happend to my carbed Yammy, it cost me $4500 to rebuild. I would just save my loot for the bigger boat since you are happy with the current boat....

 

[POLECAT]

Consider this alternative or one like it:
eBay Motors: 1997 pair Johnson Evinrude 200hp 200 compare 225 150 (item 110326998282 end time Dec-25-08 17:53:17 PST)

 

[27 sailfish]

When outboards are 7-8 years old- it is tough to justify putting alot into them.You can replace the powerhead for about $5,000.00 but expect another $1,000.00 in additional parts/wiring harness/etc.So now you are in for about $6,000.00 and still have a 7 year old lower unit,fuel pump,steering,etc.It won't take but 1-2 more major items to go to reach almost the cost of new motor.You should be able to wheel/deal right now and get a new motor installed at a decent price.Most offer anywhere from 2-6 years warranty :yes: - and prices are low right now since few people are buying boats/motors.Call around to see who is willing to cut you a good deal.Be sure to tell them you want to trade your motor in- even blown it has some value - plus is tough to sell yourself.

 

[farm use]

Try and find a nice used one around the same year as yours. I'm sure someone has upgraded to a fourstoke around you. They bolt up in a couple of hours, no need to re-rig and you have spare parts from your old motor. You can buy a lot of fuel for the money you saved. I have a warm place in my heart for the Ol' OMC's. Good luck.

 

[DooDoo King]

Do your homework this time last year I found a 200 hpdi for 11,000 installed with a full 3 year warranty. I had to call alot of people but they had one in stock. It was Jenkins in Pasadena.Ive been all around with that boat and have had zero problems and 2 years warranty left. i think alot of people have decided to stay with the two strokes now. They have the same fuel economy and less maintence.

 

[Deep 6]

I just replaced an older 300 Johnson with a 250 DI Evinrude. I was very careful bout the condition and the updates. I bought the 30" shaft out of a triple set. I could not be happier. The two remaining 25" shafts are still for sale in Florida if you want more info.

The resale value on the early BRP DI's is very very attrative and the savings in fuel is well worth the little (very little) extra vs a power head or rebuild. There's even an adaptor so you can use your wireing!

Good luck in your quest.

 

[Polkster]

good suggestions guys. I will have no problem paying $3500. But, if $5-$6k on a new powerhead, hmm have to think about that. I would still be left with a loud, hard to start, bad on gas engine. I will let you guys know what mechanic has to say next. If I do repower, I don't know if I want 225 yammy 4stroke, 250 4 stroke yammy or same versions on etec 2strokes. Both are good engines and it all depends on cost and warranty. I am crossing my fingers that it is not as expensive as we think. -Andy

 

[Francis]

In April I was faced with the same issue.

My 175 Johnson 2 stroker needed a few grand. It was a 1997, and until then, had run pretty well.

Here's what I did after talking to everyone I know, sleeping several nights on it, and lamenting, and hemming and hauling beyond belief. I took the money I would have spent on the repair and put a down payment on the motor. Then, financed the rest of the motor. It worked out to like a 190 dollar payment for 4 years.

I got a new Yamaha 4 stroke. For someone like me who uses their motor 300-400 hours a year and had a fuel bill of between 500 and 600 dollars a month, it worked out well. With the old Johnson 2 stroker I was averaging somewhere between 1.75 and 2.00 mpg.

With the Yamaha I get between 4 and 5 mpg every time. If you do the math, I was saving between 250 and 300 bucks a month on fuel, so essentially, the motor was paying for itself.

Now of course gas prices are way down so I don't spend nearly that much, but that gives you an idea of how much you can expect to pick up on economy, not to mention reliability and I got a 6 year warranty with it.

Personally, I think your best bet is to buy a new motor. But, if you are looking at getting a new boat before too long, you may want to consider looking for a used version of your motor and having someone just go ahead and bolt it on. You caould use the same controls, steering linkage, etc etc etc and it would probably be cheaper then fixing yours.

 

[rj]

If you are planning on keeping the boat,

any repair that will cost more than 1/3 the price of a new motor should result in a replacement with a new motor

if you are sure you are going to sell it soon,

repair what you have or consider a "New" used motor

for a replacement motor
$17,000 for a F225 is way too high ,shop carefully,there are a lot better deals out there,especially when the spring boat shows come around.

don't forget to look in Delaware (no sales tax) can be a significant savings on a large purchase.

 

[iFishMD]

What's with all the Yamahas popping lately (stirring the pot )

 

[tksmitty]

What's with all the Yamahas popping lately (stirring the pot )

Pretty sure we are talking about a Johnson that popped Mr. Honda. oke1:

 

[JimRockfish]

Here's some info that may help you gauge whether you are getting a fair price... should you decide to repair vs. replace. It may not be worth repairing.

Marine Medics :: Replacement Powerheads & Rebuild Centre

 

[gooddog]

Keep an eye on Ebay.... I sold my three-year old 200 HPDI through eBay several years ago. I agreed to let the buyer have a read of the computer chip (90% trolling rpms). Most sellers should do the same.

 

[gw204]

Before you can make an educated decision, you need for your mechanic to figure out exactly what happened and why it happened. Just bolting on a new engine or powerhead won't fix the problem unless you identify and correct the source.

If you are going to be selling in 2 to 3 years forget about putting a brand new engine on. Find a lightly used one (with warranty if possible) if needed. Personally, I would be looking to fix the powerhead you have if it's not too far gone. You might be able to get away with just R&R'ing one cylinder.

 

[iFishMD]

Pretty sure we are talking about a Johnson that popped Mr. Honda. oke1:

LOL I cant even stir the pot well. I saw hard ripples post on my blackberry and must have thought it was the initial post . It happens when you are not the sharpest knife p

 

[Polkster]

This is a very interesting topic. A lot to think about. I have to rate pros/cons of repairing or replacing. I am liking the idea of putting money I was going to throw into repairing into downpayment and just have a low monthly payment that I would spend on gas anyway idea. I don't know how much I would save in the winter months of course, but something to think about. I am also looking forward to actually have a conversation with my guests while the engine is running. I can not even talk to anyone when boat is wot. I know it will still be loud, but not as much. My wife is really onboard with replacing if over a certain amount. I just have to figure out what the "certain amount" is. We all hate our current engine -it is loud, hard to start, horrible on gas, and slow. But, it is paid for -and up to now has not broken down on the water. Luckily I was just in the slip when this problem occured and end of season. So I have time to make a decision. This may all be a mute point if my mechanic calls and says he can fix it for just a couple hundred bucks. I would like to know what caused the problem. If it is bad gas, or something similar -I could have same problem with next engine true. One other question, if you were going to repower give me a good reason to buy yammy 4 stroke over the etec. So far I have read nothing but great reasons to get etec vs the yammy. lighter, better economy, better holeshot, less maint. I know someone with the etec and it is just as quiet as the yammy. I know yammy have been around more, but in 3-4 years when I do sell this boat, the etec may be more popular by then and could actually help with my resale. But same could be for yammy. I know yammy are more popular here and etec more in FL.