Need outboard advice

[samjas1316]

Hi all

I just ran my 2 stroke 18 year old 30 hp mercury and after taking the ear muffs off I noticed a water leak from a hole near the water intake.

I must have hit something last time. I thought it was just a scratch but as the water was draining out from the water intake there was also water coming out of the hole.

The question is, can it be repaired (is it worth repairing) or do I need to start looking at a replacement outboard? It's on the back of a 4.2m quintrex dory. Had a quick look at brand new 30 hp 4 strokes and they're out of my price range!

Thanks
Eddie

[Paulanderson]

There are several outboard motor wreckers around Melbourne so depending on the problem you might be able to get a new leg (or part of one) at a reasonable cost.

[fishnut]

May be corrosion from the inside so prob have to replace gear box housing (botton of leg)

[russellh2]

Check Ebay for "Outboard parts Mercury - 30HP and Year" - Good Luck.

[cobby]

Is it a Japan built (squared cowl) or American (rounded cowl)? If Japan then those motors are dime a dozen and finding a second hand lower leg in decent nick will be fairly easy. Even buying a whole second hand motor to use as a donor will be feasible (under 2k). Push comes to shove, I'm fairly certain Tohatsu (who make the squared cowl mercurys) didn't even change the lower leg from their own branded ones other than paint colour which widens the pool even further

[russellh2]

Or Check Ebay for "Wrecking Mercury" - I Had a look and there seems to be a few advertised - Depends where you live = Good Luck.

[SteveoTheTiger]

I also agree with the notion of checking around for second hand parts. Many years ago i blew a piston on a 70hp Johnson and was able to save almost 1/3 of the entire repair cost by locating a second hand cylinder head by emailing all the boat mechanics i could find. In the end i paid $80 for the part instead of over $500 that the mechanic wanted to charge (this was almost 20 years ago now).

[samjas1316]

Thank you all for the advice. Much appreciated. Land based for us for the time being.

[frozenpod]

Looks like corrsion from the inside. If it is impact damage it can be welded and fixed.

If it is corrsion you will need to replace the lower unit.

A second hand lower unit will not cost much probably around $500 with new gearbox oil and impeller.