Before Posting, Please Read Our Posting Guidelines Below.
1. Use the full 4 digit year for everything you are asking your question about. Example: 1962, 1988, 2000, 2011 2. Include the correct name of your Whaler model. Example: Montauk 17, Montauk 170, Outrage 26, Outrage 260 3. Include the length when necessary. Example: 16, 17, 18, 20, 22 4. Do not post your email address anywhere on this site as it is already in your user profile.
I am considering buying a 2003 Montauk with a Mercury 90 4 stroke on it. Several people have said that they have had start-up and fuel problems with these engines. Can anyone give me advise on purchasing a whaler with this engine? Thank you.
My Outrage has a 2004 Mercury 90 4-stroke and it's given me many hours of reliable service. The powerhead and related components are pretty much identicle to those found on the same vintage Yamaha F75-F100 with a couple model year differences. The lower unit, etc are Mercury parts. What you have probably been hearing about is problems with the low speed jets in the carbs, which are very small, and easily clogged. A good remote fuel filter/water seperator is a must in my opinion. When the boat is left unused for more then a few weeks adding fuel stabilizer to the fuel and running the motor is a good idea as well.
As for pre-purchase; Make sure the motor starts and idles smoothly without stalling when shifted into gear. Also make sure it runs smoothly throughout the rev range. That motor should push that boat past 40 mph at close to 6000 RPM with a light load. I take care of an 2003 Montauk with this motor as well and it moves pretty good at full throttle. That motor was idling low and stalling a bit last season so I introduced some carb cleaner into it's intake while I was winterizing it this fall and it seemed to run better. We'll see next summer. If not, the carbs will have to be rebuilt which can be a little costly. Anyway, if it runs well I'd go for it. It's a good motor and it's fairly easy to work on. Make sure it's been serviced properly. Check the oil to make sure it's not over full and smelling like gas (leaking fuel pump usually) and you may consider replacing the voltage regulator with the updated version if it hasn't been already. They sometimes overheat and cause problems.
