I am fairly new to paramotors but have been a conventional pilot and airframe/powerplant mechanic for a long time. I agree with the lot who believe that the life of an engine expressed in hours is really irrelevant. As others are right to point out it's the maintenance you put it them that's important. Of course, maintenance is MONEY and sometimes, a lot of it. Friction and heat kill. Things wear down.
Having said that, I bought my paramotor new and have encouraged my son to do the same (meaning that I've given him the money to do so!). Although some things are indeed obvious, I don't really know how well it's been maintained. Undoubtedly, I'm going to miss out on a true bargain here or there, but, such is life.
Forgive me if I'm talking out my backside as I do not have significant experience with 2-strokes. I simply think the principles are the same.
----I just re-read the original post and I guess that 600 hr thing just slipped through my head. 600 hrs is a great run but I'd expect that you are in need of some heavy maintenance. It's sad to part with such a tool that allows you to do these amazing things but, again, such is life. In terms of this engine, it will fail soon. Not a life-ending event for us as paramotor pilots but, never-the-less, one that you should wish to avoid. Replace it and please be careful that it isn't sold to some naive, young and expectant pilot with no mechanical sense.
Fly well,
