Purchase a remanufactured outboard motor vs. A used outboard motor. What do you do?

Your outboard motor has sustained significant damage – whether it's blown up, locked up, or involved in an unfortunate collision requiring a new outboard powerhead or gearcase. Your local marine shop declares it beyond repair, you might wonder about wha is your best course of action. Should you purchase of an entirely new outboard motor or a used engine?

If the rest of your outboard motor is in good working condition, then one could consider a remanufactured powerhead or gearcase. The new powerhead or gearcase typically comes with a 1-year warranty, and for an additional cost, you can extend it to a 2-year warranty. This warranty provides a certain level of insurance against another major failure in the future.

Of course, you could explore the option of finding the exact same motor and replacing your entire engine. However, this route often lacks guarantees and can be quite costly, especially if you opt for a new engine from renowned manufacturers like Mercury, Yamaha, or BRP.

On the other hand, a remanufactured outboard engine, such as those offered by OBR/RED Rhino, generally incorporates updated parts, making these rebuilt powerheads and gearcases are even better than the OEM when it was initially released by the manufacturer.

Here's the process in a nutshell: Remove the old powerhead or gearcase and replace it with a remanufactured powerhead or gearcase. The shipping for the core return is included. New powerheads or gearcases require a break-in period, similar to any new, remanufactured, or rebuilt engines or transmissions. Transfer the components from your old engine, including the fuel system, power pack, coils, stator, trigger – essentially everything – to the new powerhead. This approach is often more cost-effective than having a mechanic disassemble the entire motor and send it to a machine shop.

In the case of a gearcase replacement, simply remove the old one and install the new one. Keep in mind that you'll need to purchase separately a high-quality water pump, as gearcases do not come with a water pump installed to avoid any damage during transit. Install the water pump before attaching the new gearcase, and don't forget to fill the lower unit with gear lube; it's shipped with new seals but without oil.

OBR/Rhino has streamlined the process of returning the core to them by providing a prepaid return label and advising you to reuse the original packaging..

Ultimately, when confronted with outboard motor issues, the choice of a remanufactured powerhead often emerges as the most cost-effective and efficient solution. It preserves the functionality of your outboard motor while offering you added peace of mind through warranty coverage.