Mariner 75hp ELPTO - are they good engines?

[Dom]

I am about to buy an Zodiac Yacht Line 480 with a 5 month old Mariner 75hp engine. Each dealer I speak to always signs the virtues of the engines that they supply. Can anyone comment on this unit, is it old technology with carbs or does that not really matter. What is the fuel consumption like and of course reliabilty? I would appreciate the views of forum readers please.
DO'M

[Searider]

Hi Dom,

I have a 1999 Mariner 90hp 2 stroke on my 5.4m Searider. The 90 and 75 Mariners are, I believe, pretty much the same engine. Mine has been great over the 4 years I've had it. Never missed a beat. The only thing that has needed attention was the power trim which started leaking and needed a seal replacing.

Mine has carbs but has returned about 0.85 litres per mile at about 25-30 knots.

I assume that the one you are looking at is also 2 stroke?

I hope that this has been of use.

Regards

[tue]

Hi Dom

On this size engine carbs are still the norm. The engines themselves are very reliable. As Searider said they are the same as the 90hp which we have 1 of in our dive club. It has not presented any major problems over the last 5/6 years they have had it. Our local inshore lifeboat also used the 90hp before they sold off the boat which we used to maintain and this too appeared to be bomb proof.

Goodluck with your purchase

[ribraff]

We had one of these engines on the back of a 5.4 sea-rider and it was great, pretty good on fuel for a 2 stroke, it ran very well with a 21" stainless prop on it too! ...'made all the difference.

[Simon B]

We have had an older version of this motor on the back of two of our club boats with no trouble at all. I believe the blocks were/are? made by Yamaha they badged thier own version of it as the 80hp with the Yam version of the 90 getting 100 or 115hp cant quite remember.

Check the hydraulics over carefully if the boat has been moored for a long time.

[Dom]

Thank you all, I guess it was typical, one dealer trying to do down another's product.
Thanks
DO'M

[Turbodiesel]

There great engine that last for years. All the MOD Seariders use them. We get them back for overhaul with anything upto 9000hours on them. We service them and send them back out for more abuse. The engine is NOT a Yamaha and i dont think it ever has been. The 75 just uses different carbs from the 90 so if you want some more power get some 90hp carbs and change the ignition timing its that easy. But make sure it wont knacker your warranty!!!. The 115 is a four cylinder so its a completely different block.

[Dom]

Thanks, I'll remember that.
DO'M

[Simon B]

Turbodiesel,

Is there a different reed block in the 75 compared to the 90? Our club looked at upping the power of the 75 to 90 but decided not to on the advice from a dealer as he said the carbs, reed block and exhaust would need different parts and it wouldnt be economical. If this isnt the case it might still be worth doing.

[Turbodiesel]

No the reeds are the same, Its all done with the carbs. Then you just have to change the ignition timing. I cant off the top of my head remember what to but if you need to know i will have a look when im back in work tomorrow.

[Simon B]

Cheers Turbo,

Can you get them second hand? I doubt if our esteemed committee will wear new carbs type prices.

[Turbodiesel]

Also forgot to say you would need to re prop it, probably by a couple of inches. E.G an MOD searider with a 75hp has a 18" stainless prop but th e 90hp runs a 20" stainless prop. Maybe worth thinking about that too. As far as second hand bits go.... Well maybe but we dont usually have the need to change them or have spare one's lying around but i will keep an eye open!!

[Paul F]

TurboD is correct as I have done it for a customer, change carbs and change timing. As simple as that, except carbs arent cheap to buy new.
Paul