Want to but a VMAX HpDI 250 but...

[Triton85]

Hey guys,

Ok so I'm looking into a 2004 vmax, but the owner that is selling it tells me there is a couple of problems with it. From what he told me, 2 years ago the engine got submerged and because of this there were problems with the electronics and therefore the CDI got replaced and also the heads were replaced. Also the prop shaft is pretty banged up and bent. This engine is coming off a 28 ft fishing boat and while running at the speed of 48 mph and at 5600 rpm the motor starts shaking.

Guys got any ideas what the problem with the shaking is? and could it get easily fixed? He told me that when plugged to a laptop computer it gives nothing, no errors but the prop shaft should definately get replaced. Compression is good in all cylinders. Should I stay away? The price is pretty good and if it could easily get fixed then all the better.

Sorry if what I explained doesn't make much sense, my outboard mechanics knowledge is nothing great and so is the guy selling this engine. If more info is needed let me know and I'll speak to the yamaha dealer who works on this engine and where the engine currently is (tried calling the dealer today but its closed). Any help would be greatly aprreciated.

[spider1]

Sounds like that bent prop shaft. Also with as much wrong check the motor mounts.
If the mounts are back you will have to pull the power head to change the upper ones but the lowers are pretty easy.

Why were the heads replaced??

[Triton85]

I'll find out tomorrow why the heads were replaced. You think I should consider buying it?

[BuzzB8]

Be careful! Get everything checked out before you buy it. I don't like the "bent prop shaft and vibration" part of the deal...be careful.

[spider1]

I would have him change the prop shaft and run it to make sure the vibration went away before I would buy it. More then likely that is the problem but it could be something interal also.

[Reata210]

It would have to be one amazing deal to consider an engine that was submerged and has additional problems with the LU. The fact it was submerged can mean random electrical issues. Was the wiring harness changed out after it was submerged? Why did it get new heads? I would guess it may have overheated at one time and warped the originals. There would not be too many other reasons to touch the heads and not the short block, unless it was for performance gains. I personally would not touch it even if it was a great deal. What is the selling price?

[Triton85]

Alright so I just got off the phone with the yamaha tech that worked on the engine and he did confirm that the wiring harness was indeed changed. Also the ecu and spark plug were changed as part of a kit due to the update needed on this engine. He also told me that a couple of weeks ago he did put it in the water to try to simulate it running at 5600 rpm like it did in the past but the closest they got it to was at 5500 rpm where he noticed the vibration was not as severe as at 5600 rpm. Said there is a slight run out on the prop (basically restating it needs a new prop shaft). He also said on idle you don't even notice the vibration.

As for the heads, they were replaced because of fuel starvation, reason being that he previous engine was a 200 hp merc and the fuel fitting were different ????

Also definite amount of hrs on engine is not known but is estimated between 300 and 500 hrs. He selling this engine for $6000 canadian and that's pretty good for me being that I live in Canada and would save on currency exchange and custom taxes if I were to buy it in the States.

What you guys think?

[spider1]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Triton85 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
As for the heads, they were replaced because of fuel starvation, reason being that he previous engine was a 200 hp merc and the fuel fitting were different ????
</TD></TR></TABLE>

This makes no sense what so ever!
If it was a fuel starvation issure then it would have had a lot more replaced then just the heads! Like may be the power head. Or may be a pistion or two and a bore job. Something is just not adding up.

[STROKEDYAMAHA]

why is he selling it? .....Sounds like he is trying to get rid of a problem...how did the motor become submerged? how many hours on the motor was it used in salt water.....to me condition is everything.... a well taken care of low hour motor is worth (to me) much much more than a cheep abused sunk and recovered motor....
if you out in the the water and it quits leaves you stranded 1 time.... blows up or has continual problems you have saved nothing. .02

[iron banks]

The old saying goes " run forest run" Keep looking

[Triton85]

Ya the entire block was replaced.
Think I'll keep looking...

[spider1]

Not sure if that would scare me off. Heck you just about have a new motor there. New block, electronics, wiring harness. All you need to do is have the lower checked out before you buy.
Now may parts that went under....

[mnskateboarder]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Triton85 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ya the entire block was replaced.
Think I'll keep looking...</TD></TR></TABLE>

Good thinking

[Triton85]

Ya the entire block was replaced.
Think I'll keep looking...

[ghind]

What it a complete powerhead replacement? If so it is basically a new engine. Or were parts swapped over?

If it is a bent propshaft, borrow a lower unit for a test run. If it is fixed, great. If not, well it isn't the prop shaft. It is a quick job to swap lower units for a test run.

The price sounds negotiable to me. As long as is was a new powerhead it could be a great buy.