1990 Evinrude 225HP outboards. - The Hull Truth

RussH · 02-11-2008, 12:43 PM

I've gotten so many conflicting reports on my 1990 Evinrude 225's that I don't know who is correct. I've had some idling and starting problems with them and I've taken them to 3 different marine mechanics and all 3 have told me something different. Since you are an expert maybe you can tell me if these engines are shot or have a lot of life left in them.

Hours- 830

Compression port engine: Compression starboard engine:
92 90 89 85
89 89 86 84
85 87 90 90

The last mechanic I took the boat to wrote in his report: "Engines are at the end of their usable life as shown by the low compression numbers. It is impossible to make these engines run and start normally with out being completely rebuilt." He also told me the life span of these outboards is 500 hours before they will need a rebuild. That sounds like a sales pitch to me.

I talked to an old timer that is retired and he told me these "loopers" will go for 4000+ hours with proper maintenance. The other mechanic didn't know these are low compression engines and brand new compression was only 90-100PSI. He told me that the OEM coils that were installed when the engines were built provided the bare minimum voltage output and should all be replaced with new coils that have a higher voltage output. He said if the coils were replaced and the carbs were rebuilt the engines would perform like new.

I've been looking for a pair of newer outboards because I'm reluctant to invest any more into these engines if it's not worth it. Do you have any experience with these older outboards, who should I believe? Any recommendations?

Russ

A1 Outboard · 02-12-2008, 04:32 AM

Well as always we have newer remanufactured motors for sale if interested but to answer your question here's my take on the pre 93 loop v6. They are lower compression motors but as far as the coils go that wasn't a problem it was mostly the stator that caused weak spark or starting problems. That block was very susceptible to corrosion so much so most of them could not be rebuilt without replacing it. The newer blocks have a solid deck which improved that problem and added block stability .The heads were of cast design which led to uneven compression and at idle some puddling occur which led to a smokey idle. The idle problem can be the recirc valves in the intake or the fitting in the block needing cleaned .Idle control also can be caused by improperly equipped service personal cleaning the carbs and or the throttle bodies.Those were a thirsty workhorse of a motor ,most of the failures were due to the block corroision or rings sticking. Longivity should go well over the 1000 hr mark if properly maintained. Lots of SEA Foam and headgaskits/thermostats are needed tokeep that motor alive.And you are right we are experts we deal with over 1000 outboards a year our mistakes make us better.....LOL

RussH · 02-18-2008, 07:48 AM

Thanks for getting back to me, when you say low compression what was the normal compression PSI when these motors were new?

The engines have only been run in freshwater, was the corrosion problems caused by saltwater?

If I decide to keep this boat I will likely be re-powering in the next couple of years. Is it less expensive to re-power with the same brand of outboards; i.e. Evinrude with Evinrude or it doesn't matter? I have thought about re-powering with Mercury Opti's or Yamaha 4 strokes but how much would it cost to mount and do everything to the new engines in addition to the cost of them? If I go with an opti would I be able to keep my existing oil tanks? Is $1,500 per engine a good rule of thumb considering replacing guages and oil tanks?

Russ