Mercury 150hp

[chris-b]

Hi, Im viewing a boat this weekend with a Mercury 150hp optimax, its a 2002 with 46hrs on it from new.
Is there any way of checking this or do you need to plug it into a computer to read it.
Is there anything that I should be looking out for, common faults, or tell tail signs of problems?
Thanks

[Pete7]

Chris, hours run is covered in the gauges menu option. Just be aware this details the number of hours the ECU has run for and might be different if the engine has had this replaced.

So how does a 7 year old engine have only 46 hours on it, you will want to look the seller directly in the eye when you ask this.

That aside they are quite reliable, one even surviving 700 hours with Rogue Wave. The larger ones had some minor problems but the 150 is okay. Injectors should ahve a plastic blue ring around them, these are the later type.

There is an opti dealer just off the M54, but I have forgotten his name, Dave Manning or Rogue will know him.

Pete

[Rogue Wave]

Nick 01902730717 or 07792497606 he's a good lad and knows his stuff, pretty straight as well. might be worth getting him to inspect the engine before you make an offer

To reinforce Petes point the Opti is a joyful engine and it's dificult to believe that it only got used for 7 - 8 hours per year! look for some tell tale signs of wear and tear. bits of salt around fittings inside the engine cowl I'll fitting engine cowl latches, skeg, gearbox play, Take a compresion tester with you and check you have even compresion .

The opti has two sets of injectors OIL and Fuel each injector is connected via a plug and socket pull these apart and look fr corroson perikewlarly on the bottom 2 cylinders.

[Top banana]

On the optis im sure someone in the trade told me you can scrub all engine data, and start again, as this could explain the very very low hours, some one more knowledable will know,"is it called a re power"

[iainmartins]

They are pretty good very economical on fuel. The only probs I have had are the alternator coming loose due to the bolt holding it in shearing off ( a design fault apparently) and the thermostats getting stuck open. People always talk about issues with powerhead problems on 225 and compressors but not really qualified to comment. You can check the smartcraft controls and check its running within normal parameters (if you buy or download a service manual form e bay).

Mine has never let me down at sea. But I would make sure it get a regular service from someone that deals with plenty of optimax engines.

[PeterM]

when mine was playing up ( later found due to Battery wiring - so not actual engine) I was told you can see if they have had the plugs changed by seeing if they have any 'overspray' on - by all accounts they build the block - put the plugs in & then spray them gray .

If its run higher hours & had the plugs changed you can tell this way ........

[uncle al]

please ring me next week with a serial number my number is 01869 326411

[chris-b]

Thank you for your help, Im viewing the boat tommorrow, I will let you know what it looks like. It does seem strange to pay 25K + for a boat when new and only use it for 46hrs in 6/7 years?

[outboardtech]

sounds like too me that the ECM has been changed previously . But who knows it could be in great condition and ONLY done the hours he says its done .

[Kernow Buoy]

OK so assume it has only has done 46 hours in 6/7 years, does that present any problems?