Author Topic: Repair Shop Recommendations in the Twin Cities Metro (Read 6858 times)

Dyounge · « **on:** August 08, 2018, 11:26:17 AM »

I just struck out at my second mechanic that can't figure out what is going on with my 1969 Evinrude 115 Starflite. Fires for a second and immediately dies. Tried Jeurissen Motorsports in Belle Plaine. Tried S.J. Hansen in Northfield. Per his recommendation, I'm about to try Elko Motorsports. It's difficult to find guys willing to even look at these old motors. Anyone else I should try first? Good compression, carbs have been rebuilt and it's getting fuel. I'm about ready to have every electrical/ignition component replaced. Thanks in advance.

Hyperacme · « **Reply #1 on:** August 08, 2018, 11:48:04 AM »

We (members here) have had very good luck with Hannays ..
Don is way older then your motor !

https://www.hannaysmarine.com/

75starflight · « **Reply #2 on:** August 08, 2018, 12:19:04 PM »

I second Hannys...
I have never done service work with them (I am in Nebraska), but their parts department is top notch.

Dyounge · « **Reply #3 on:** August 08, 2018, 04:14:15 PM »

Quote from: Hyperacme on August 08, 2018, 11:48:04 AM

We (members here) have had very good luck with Hannays ..
Don is way older then your motor !

https://www.hannaysmarine.com/

Really appreciate the quick reply. Gave them a call but they will not look at anything older than 1990.

Hyperacme · « **Reply #4 on:** August 08, 2018, 04:23:47 PM »

OH OH .. My Mariner is a 1989 !

Plugcheck · « **Reply #5 on:** August 08, 2018, 07:00:25 PM »

Got fuel and compression, but it fires but will not stay lit. Magneto based ignition, does it turn over at normal speed? Most O/B's require a certain speed to operate the ignition system. Did this condition happen suddenly? A shotgun approach is effective albeit an expensive option. Really not terribly complex, if you're willing to turn wrenches, I'm certain you could track the issue down.

Hyperacme · « **Reply #6 on:** August 09, 2018, 09:26:49 AM »

Some might disagree …
But have you though about getting a newer motor and putting old decals on it ?
Johnson/Evinrude's V4's have (kind of) looked the same up until the 90's.

New style T&T, modern electronics, easy to find parts & dealers willing to work on them.
And most importaint .. Relibilty !
Getting towed in every time you take her out sucks ..

Or keep looking for someone thats willing to look it over.
There out there ... just have to find them ..

Dyounge · « **Reply #7 on:** August 09, 2018, 09:57:16 AM »

Quote from: Plugcheck on August 08, 2018, 07:00:25 PM

Got fuel and compression, but it fires but will not stay lit. Magneto based ignition, does it turn over at normal speed? Most O/B's require a certain speed to operate the ignition system. Did this condition happen suddenly? A shotgun approach is effective albeit an expensive option. Really not terribly complex, if you're willing to turn wrenches, I'm certain you could track the issue down.

Seems to be turning over at a normal speed. The boat was bought sight unseen from New Jersey so I knew the risk going in. From the first time out it had a slight stumble right off idle, but otherwise ran great. I gave a friend's kid their first ever tube ride. She didn't want to go fast, so we never got on plane and the engine was lugged for a while and fouled the plugs. I swapped the plugs out on the spot but it hasn't run right since. It then quickly declined to where it won't stay running at all now. I was hoping a mechanic would be able to pinpoint the problem instead of me just blindly throwing parts at it.

Dyounge · « **Reply #8 on:** August 09, 2018, 10:05:55 AM »

Quote from: Hyperacme on August 09, 2018, 09:26:49 AM

Some might disagree …
But have you though about getting a newer motor and putting old decals on it ?
Johnson/Evinrude's V4's have (kind of) looked the same up until the 90's.

New style T&T, modern electronics, easy to find parts & dealers willing to work on them.
And most importaint .. Relibilty !
Getting towed in every time you take her out sucks ..

Or keep looking for someone thats willing to look it over.
There out there ... just have to find them ..

Long term, that will absolutely be my plan. I kept hearing how bulletproff these motors are, but I am so frustrated at this point. I've missed half the summer. A newer motor in the next year or two will have to be part of the plan. But I keep thinking if I can get this one running again with all new electronics for around a grand, it would be worth it. How new would you recommend I go? I would of course like to keep it as affordable as possible, but would an engine from the mid to late 80's for like $3,000 be worth it? 20 years newer, but seems like I would still have trouble getting service. Am I just swapping problems? And as you go newer and newer it gets exponentially more expensive. Where's the sweet spot?

Plugcheck · « **Reply #9 on:** August 09, 2018, 11:33:37 AM »

Oh, don't get me wrong, outboards can be horribly frustrating to make happy. Could be a number of things, carbs, reeds, seals. Finding a good, reasonable mechanic to work on old stuff is difficult regardless of the engine, cars, boats, planes, you name it. I had a 2001 Merc 90 on a pontoon back in 2004, ran flawless. But a 90hp outboard 3 years old is going to come at a price. Its always the budget/talent/time equation no matter which way you go. There are ads for mechanics on CL around here, maybe try your local CL? The local shops that say your engine is too old, do they have any recommendations other than buy a new one from us?

Hyperacme · « **Reply #10 on:** August 09, 2018, 11:58:07 AM »

Theses guy list on CL .. Might look over your motor, met owner once out on river. Not sure about there work, but have been around for a while.

Pro-Tech Marine
5720 Barthel Industrial Dr NE,
Albertville, MN 55301
(763) 497-0520

There's a guy in Fridley that lists on CL, also not sure about his work, also might look at your motor.
One of his add for contact info …

1997 mariner/mercury 135 hp motor-rebuilt 0 hrs - $3995 (fridley)
https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/bpo/d/1997-mariner-mercury-135-hp/6648897507.html

Give Supreme Marine a call ... for repairs ..
https://suprememarinemn.com/

Hyperacme · « **Reply #11 on:** August 09, 2018, 12:06:05 PM »

1990 100 hp johnson - $2500 (Albertville)
https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/csw/bpo/d/hp-johnson/6661344843.html

V 4 2 stroke recently rebuild 25 hrs. on rebuild new water pump

*************************
He states "Small outboards" but worth calling …

Evinrude/Johnson service and repair (mound)
https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/bpo/d/evinrude-johnson-service-and/6664933024.html

thedeuceman · « **Reply #12 on:** August 09, 2018, 12:25:22 PM »

just a few thoughts, as Greg pointed out the newer models are basically the same motor, you cowl even put yer old cowl on if you want that look.
i have stockpiled tons of 73-76 parts so i guess that is what i am into but 77 and newer is prob most popular and best all around setup, the integral trim system is a huge leap.
The 69-72 does not have the CD ignition system so it is prob more problematic, it also has the electric shift which is a bummer when it don't work but OK as long as it does.
that all said, i think @Rosscoe had 2 of the older model V4's he was trying to sell awhile back, don't remember too many details.
there is a guy in st Louis pk that is into the 77 and up V4's, Peter i think.
maybe Greg has his contact info

dorelse · « **Reply #13 on:** August 09, 2018, 12:30:38 PM »

What about the outboard recyclers place? Didn't they work on the older stuff?

Jason · « **Reply #14 on:** August 09, 2018, 12:39:19 PM »

I sent you a private email but also wanted to add if you decide to swap out for a newer motor which is what I would actually do as well, look for a donor boat. That way you can water test the boat and make sure it performs well under load. Running on the muffs and doing a compression test is simply not enough. Also doing it this way gets you all the controls, trim pump, and wiring. You might even be able to make some money back on selling the donor boat and trailer.

thedeuceman · « **Reply #15 on:** August 09, 2018, 12:51:07 PM »

Quote from: Jason on August 09, 2018, 12:39:19 PM

I sent you a private email but also wanted to add if you decide to swap out for a newer motor which is what I would actually do as well, look for a donor boat. That way you can water test the boat and make sure it performs well under load. Running on the muffs and doing a compression test is simply not enough. Also doing it this way gets you all the controls, trim pump, and wiring. You might even be able to make some money back on selling the donor boat and trailer.

I have to say that I agree with Jason on the donor boat, and the fact that testing on the muffs does not tell the whole story.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Hyperacme · « **Reply #16 on:** August 09, 2018, 01:24:25 PM »

Yep … Heard ya can't get parts for the " electric shift " LU any more ..

Pete quit rebuilding and selling some time ago...

Twin city's outboard has parts, but don't think they work on them …
http://www.twincityoutboard.com/

A "Donor boat" is also a very good plan !

Not sure about models or years .. but a late 80's into 90's would look close to your motor and have "Fast trac T&T" ,newer electronic , etc.

Lot's of options ...

Oldfishguy · « **Reply #17 on:** August 09, 2018, 01:56:40 PM »

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I’ve had a few conversations with these guys too, they seem to know what they are doing with older motors. And they have rebuilt ones for sale, with a warranty I believe. And they have been around for a while.

Best of luck.

David

Remaking from Gregg’s post:

Re: Repair Shop Recommendations in the Twin Cities Metro
« Reply #10 on: Today at 11:58:07 AM »
Quote
Theses guy list on CL .. Might look over your motor, met owner once out on river. Not sure about there work, but have been around for a while.

Pro-Tech Marine
5720 Barthel Industrial Dr NE,
Albertville, MN 55301
(763) 497-0520

dorelse · « **Reply #18 on:** August 09, 2018, 02:17:26 PM »

Ok, here's my real dumb question...could you not just clean off the old plugs a bit and see if the motor runs on them again as you seem to indicate that was the beginning of your issues?

Hyperacme · « **Reply #19 on:** August 09, 2018, 02:44:56 PM »

Worth a try ..
And check every wire connecter, terminal, etc.
All the easy, but over looked stuff ..