Mercruiser a bad engine???

DanB · Newbie Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 36 City: New Durham

Have a used Tige on hold that has the Scorpion 330. Not too familiar with inboards, so started doing some research. Realize that most different inboard brands are basically the same GM-based smallblock, but why do so many people have problems with Merc's??? Read several posts where the person said they'd never get a Merc. Getting scared about my purchase, and am ready to cancel the boat!!! Is this just the case of reading about a couple bad motors, or do these engines really do have more problems than others?

Rheyzar · Outlaw Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 196 City: Nor, Cal

Not sure about anyone else, but we've been riding a 1998 Sanger DX1 with a merc in it and it has NEVER failed us. Not even once. By far the most solid and reliable boat motor I've had.

I'm stoked to have the Black Scorpion as part of my new boat package. Mr. Green

However, as with anything, nothing is perfect and I'm sure others have had problems to some degree. My personal experience has been nothing but favorable though.

Rheyzar -

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Dan, it's simple. There are way more Mercs about than anything else. (overall boat market)

There is nothing wrong with Mercruiser motors. Don't let the haters sway you in any way - they are absolute morons.

What year Tige? The only problem I know of is the possible need for an ECM flash on the 02-04 models, which Merc will do for free.

I would also note that PCM and Indmar are great motors. Honestly, there isn't a huge difference between all the brands when you get right down to it.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Also, delete your double thread if possible - go to the thread, and click on the 'X' at the upper left of your first post.

DanB · Newbie Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 36 City: New Durham

Whew. Thanks, guys. I needed a little boost. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't tossing a boatload of money out the window!

chavez, its an 02. Can you expound on the 'ECM flash'? What's that?

Also, deleted the double post. Why do I get them when I hit the back button on my browser?!?

krbaugh · Addict Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Posts: 758 City: Edwardsville

The other thing if memory serves was a pulley alignment problem with the 02's they can shred belts. This is easily fixed with a shim

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

DanB, ECM flash is basically reloading the software on your Engine Control Module. Sometimes they will just replace the module with one that has already been flashed at the factory.

Wake Fish · Newbie Joined: 14 May 2004 Posts: 45 City: Redmond

I've got a merc 4.3 L V-6 Fuel injected -- 220 horses... works great and I didn't spend a fortune. Good Luck with your new ride!

wakedad1 · Addict Joined: 19 Sep 2003 Posts: 667 City: Discovery Bay

I got a Black Scorpion in my Boat. 1997 Maxum. We had to replace the first engine because it lost oil pressure and damaged the cylinder's only 6 hrs. old. The second engine had something go wrong with the #7 cylinder and we had to have it sleeved. I think that was around 50 hrs. Now I'm at around 175 hrs on motor #2 and it runs like a champ...

lanceuga33 · Outlaw Joined: 16 Oct 2003 Posts: 143 City: McDonough

I have had a Merc going on 3 years now. No problems so far (knock on teak).

I agree with Chavez there are so many out there you may here more about them positive and negative.

bmartin · Addict Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 794

I have had 2 Mercruisers and have had zero problems out of either. I have never been yowed to dock in 6 years with them. Knock on Teak!

Mobe789 · Posted: Mar 17, 2005 1:11 pm Post subject:

i heard that the session engines 6.2 mercs have had some serious problems..but ive heard sessions all together have had really bad prblms

oshensurfer · Posted: Mar 17, 2005 1:15 pm Post subject:

Mobe789 · Posted: Mar 17, 2005 1:31 pm Post subject:

oshensurfer, ive heard stuff and tryed to take a session for a test ride..and the steering didnt work..i think that might be a problem, but that has nothing to do with the engine. we have a 4.3 merc in our boat and we love it..so i have nothing at all against mercs.

kmagnuss · Posted: Mar 17, 2005 4:15 pm Post subject:

my first boat was a 78 Glastron with a merc in it and it drove like a champ. Started up every time. I wouldn't worry about a chevy 350 too much. Once you get past the spark arrestor and the exhaust manifolds, it's basically just a car engine. And every redneck joe this side of the equator knows how to fix a 350. Good luck.

zenmaster · Newbie Joined: 13 Dec 2004 Posts: 25 City: mount vernon

Hey Chavez, what happens to the engine if you don't get the ECM flashed?

DanB · Newbie Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 36 City: New Durham

Two other things I just picked up on. Don't know if its Merc who does it , or Tige when they put the engine in the boat. 1) The fuel pump is under the clamshell (Tige) instead of in the tank (like Mastercraft). Because of the heat under the shell, it sometimes causes vapor lock. Don't know if true, and if so, how often the problem occurs, but... and 2) A cheap foreign pulley bracket is weak and gets out of alignment easily. This causes belts to break more often, and causes a lot of belt dust in the engine compartment. Now that I think about it, there was a ton of black dust under there. Not sure how bad these problems are, but its something to think about when dropping tens of thousands of hard-earned green-backs!

Chad H · Posted: Mar 18, 2005 8:07 pm Post subject:

I have a Mercury outboard and it is wierd for me to hear bad things about them. They are about the best marine engine out there.

hyperfluid37 · Outlaw Joined: 04 Aug 2003 Posts: 200 City: Visalia

We had problems with a misaligned pulley on our merc that left us stranded a couple of times. If it worry’s you keep an extra belt on hand, they’re not cheap but you will have peace of mind. Also be sure that if the belt gets throw that you check for plastic plugs that are knocked loose. It happened to us and we lost several plugs in our engine and started taking on loads of water out in the middle of the lake. As of now I am sure they have fixed the pulley problem, and after we got the pulley shimmed it works great.

wakechick79 · Outlaw Joined: 12 Mar 2005 Posts: 228 City: Virginia Beach

DanB, Mercs are great engines, no worries! Unfortunately, there are those times when an engine just goes bad-it can happen to any engine-and the person that it happened to is obviously going to spread bad press about it. One great thing about Mercs is that they are everywhere, so if you ever do run into any trouble, there is more than likely going to be a Merc dealer real close by that can help you out. While PCM and Indmar are good engines, they are significantly less dealers, so you are less likely to find some help when that engine goes caput.

AirChairBob · Newbie Joined: 11 Nov 2003 Posts: 5 City: Grapeview

I have 95 Sunsetter with 350 Magnum EFI MerCruiser that has 900 hours on it with no problems to date.

Bob

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

zenmaster, just runs a little rough, thats all. Definitely something you would want fixed as rough running for long periods usually equals gummed up valves, injectors, etc.

89 skier · Addict Joined: 30 Jun 2004 Posts: 729 City: Dallas

I have a Merc in my 89 Skier that is for sale and it's been a Great motor during the time I've owned it. It starts up every time and it runs great every time. It's got 675 hours on it and it runs like a new boat.