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I am looking at a Whaler with a 40 hp '01 Merc 2stroke with a VRO system. I have heard that these older carborated Merc 2 strokes had a reputation as being unreliable and the only reason they were on Whalers of this vintage was that Boston Whaler was bought by a conglomorate that made the Mercs. Scuttlebut is, given a choice, few would buy them.

Does anyone have information regarding their reliability?

Thanks, Celt

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My 1999 Conquest has a pair of 1999 225 Merc DFI's. The starboard engine didn't make 130 hours before it self destructed. A problem with the oil injection system did my motor in. No slow demise either. No warning just toast. No faults showed up on the computer when the tech hooked it up.

I'm installing a short block on it only because I can't afford a new pair of Yamaha's, or Honda's or Suzukis.

I'd never buy another vessel with a Merc hanging on the transom.

My 22 Revenge has a pair of 1999 4 stroke Yamahas. Theyre still going strong without any troubles. I change the oil and filter once a year and I'm good to go. Hence my choice to avoid the dreaded black beasts...

Norm

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I can't vouch for a 2001 but my uncle has a 40hp and I have a 75hp both are Mercury 2-strokes with oil injection. Both are early to mid nineties (1993-94) and both are still running fine with normal maintenance. That motor would not put me off on a purchase as long as it ran well and had good compression.

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Today I went to an outboard salvage yard to look for a part on my Yamaha { 1st time I needed one } and they said they have plenty of Mercs 100s and 1 Yamaha . On one hand Im bummed because I need to by new parts and glad I dont have a Merc . Ive owned Johnsons in the past and no problems either

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Don't know where that rumour came from. I have a 2001 40 HP Mercury and couldn't be happier. At the lake, mine is constantly commented on as being the easiest to start. Hardly touch the key and I've never had a problem. Just do your maintenance and don't run it out of oil!

I have talked to several mechanics and the ones not associated with a particular dealership have told me that they are all pretty good these days. They are certainly different, but all of them can last for many many years if you just take care of them and don't do stupid things like over rev them and run water in the gas. Many boaters are hard on the motor.

I would assume you are looking at the 13 Sport? That's what I have.

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Disconnect the oiler and premix if it bothers you.

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I have been reading comments lately calling into question Mercury's oil delivery system and find them all very suspect.

While there may be a model or a specific model year that may be more problematic than others, it is unwise to modify the oiling system based on anecdotal information.

Facts are telling, rumors are like the stars, there are thousands of them.

Mercury's oiling system was called OIS or something while Evinrude was called VRO.

As for the purchase of Mercury by the Boston Whaler parent company, it was due, in part, to increasing market share and making money. Prior to purchasing Mercury, a new whaler was rigged by the dealer with brands of motors the dealer sold.

In my mind, having a factory certified mechanic provide you information is the best advice since each motor has it's own history and disposition.

I have known owners of Yamaha 90's that were very fussy when many say they are bullet-proof.

One adage that is not a rumor is:

When buying a boat, go with your gut. If there is something that you don't like (big or small), walk away. The right boat is out there, it's just a question of finding it.

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You just can't trust those Mercs. I have a 1959 6 hp that's already lost 5 lbs of compression.LOL

All fun aside, ALL newer outboards are pretty darn good. You get a bad one in every brand along with a lot of good ones. My 2005 carbed 90 Merc has been fantastic.
Mike

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Thanks guys - I am having the engine (and boat) checked by a Merc/Yamaha dealer - he does his own work. He found a few minor issues (resealing the lower unit and replacing an impeller) and is fixing them now at the owners direction. Compressions are good and he will do a leak down test next. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Celt

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Most outboards are well built. I have had the best luck with Johnson/Evinrudes. That's not to say they are the best. There are planty of people that have had nothing but BAD luck with them. Every Merc I have owned gave me problems, so I stay away from them. The best advise has been given, have a mechanic check out the motor, If all is well, go with it regardless of the make.

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Celt - I would ignore that post by "revenge". Actually it's a pretty good handle for him to have! His bad experience involves a pre-2003 Optimax, not a conventional 2-stroke. Actually, he was lucky the boat didn't have 1999 Ficht's on it. They'd be long gone by now, the ones that put OMC in bankruptcy. All of the early 2-stroke DFI's had problems, on a random selection basis. You just never knew if you'd get a bad one.

I have 4 really nice Whalers with a total of 7 Merc 2-strokes hanging on the transoms. Best engines you can buy for my money! Most powerful in their class, reasonably good on gas and troublefree.

Mercury's oil injection system is pretty much bulletproof, in spite of all the baloney being peddled over on CW. VRO was OMC's branding, not Merc's incidentally, and it was the line that gave all oil injections systems a bad name. That 2 stroke 40 is a great engine, and it's same size bigger brother, the 50, just won top honors in a Bass and Walleye Boats Mag Shootout of all 50's, including E-tec and all 4-strokes. That's pretty amazing. If you like the Whaler, don't worry about the engine. You will like that too.

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Hi Finnigan: Thanks for the input. The mechanic cleared the engine. He, like you, said the oil injection system on those Merc's was basically bullet proof. I will talk to him tomorrow as he checked out the rest of the boat this afternoon. If all goes well (and it should) I'll pick up the boat early next week.

Again many thanks to all of you who responded to my plea for info.....all the best, Celt

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I can't help you with the 40 hp but I have a 2001 - 90hp 2 stroke that works great. Starts first turn of the key every single time. The only problem I have had with the oil system is the gasket that seals the tank leaked when the engine was raised. An easy fix to replace for about $5.00.

Last year, I had a little hesitation during acceleration at about 1,500 rpm but I ran some Seafoam through a couple of tanks of gas at the end of the year last year and the hesitation is gone this year.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one.

Jack

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I had an 03 Merc 40 2 stroke on my 13 and it was awesome. I think they are the same. Some older had electronic issues but that is more the late 70's early 80's vintage.

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I have an '03 Merc 40. I bought it back in June. I've been over mine and I think the 40 2 stroke is OK. If you don't have a Fuel/Filter Separator get one! The new gas with Ethanol is Trouble. It's cheap insurance. I generally do not advise changing 2-Stroke oil. Mine had Mercury in it but I'd rather run a synthetic for several reasons. It smokes less and will with stand more heat. I switched to Pennzoil 2 Stroke Full Synthetic. It's about the same price as Mercurys standard 2 stroke oil. A couple of warning to be aware of is the oil tank level. THe sensors are Born to fail. And be sure to check your high temp sensor. Both give the same alarm. Good luck!

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Well gents, I bought the 2001 BW 130 sport with the 2001 2 cyl Merc 2 stroke with the automatic oil mixer (reservoir in engine). The Merc mechanic did a compression test and a leak down test. The readings were:

Compression #1 123 #2 125

Leak down #1 12% #2 11%

Question: He says they are good but how good are they?

He also replaced the seal on the lower unit as well as the impeller and trim tab. He put new drive oil in it as well.

The original owner of the boat boat was a fisherman and he removed a trolling motor and did a servicable but ugly repair of the starbord bow plus adding rod holders, fuel tank tie downs, seat inserts in the forward hatch and the plank seat next to the steering station, plus ice cooler stops and poor quality stainless tiedowns for the fuel tanks - all screwed into the deck with what I suspect was not proper preperation of the deck. However, that is a different subject for a different part of this site that I will address as soon as I can put my mind finally at rest re the engine. Celt

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The Ebay outboard sellers say anything less than ten percent on the leak down test is good. Sounds like these are borderline acceptable.