outboard motor life???

[doublel]

Anyone have any idea on how many hours life a 2 cycle
outboard motor would be engineered to run.
I have an older 2 cycle merc and would like to determine how many hours I could expect to get out of it. IT has always been maintained well.

Thanks

[lost_sailor]

I have a 1960 Merc that's still running fine, so ... 45 years?

Of course, they've learned to "not make 'em like they used to."

Seriously, I don't know. So much depends on maintenance. I think you can keep 'em running forever if you can find replacement parts.

[Rescue3]

In our hard commercial service we expect no less than 1000 hours. In practice, we frequently get up to 2500 hours when the engine is maintained regularly. That said, it's often not running the engine that does the most damage. Our boats are run daily during the season and either put up or run weekly during the slower months. The diesel should last 12-15 years and the outboards 2-3 years.

[Beer Waggin]

How big a Merc is it?

I have a 78' 80hp Merc that broke a crank a few years ago. Had it rebuilt and it hasn't missed a beat since.

Some guys won't rebuild the older six cylinders. They say they were bad motors when they were new.

[1pump]

In fresh water with good maintenance a small to midrange motor could last a lifetime. By midrange I mean less than 100 HP. The bigger ones have to put out a lot more power per cubic inch and don't seem to last quite as long, IMHO.
My Merc 25M has been going strong for 18 years. I bought it new and it's seem some hard year-round use, both in salt and fresh. I don't baby it, but I stay on top of the maintenance. I fix any little problems before they become BIG problems.

[1pump]

Great. Me and my big mouth. One day after posting the reply above my Merc takes a dump at Hammond and almost ruins my day. :hoboy: For the first time since it was new I had to lean out the low speed screw to keep it running, and barely at that. I see a carb rebuild in my near future- like Tuesday, when my parts get here. :depressed: And just when the springers are jumping in everyone's boat. :mad: Barring any further complications I should be back in the water by Thursday. That'll teach me to brag about my motor. :eek: