94 Mariner Magnum III 150?????

[stratos92]

Does anyone have any information on this motor? I need to replace the motor on my boat (blew up) and I found a 94 Mariner Mag III 150 at a local shop. They will sell the motor, controls and prop for $2900. I am a new boat owner and do not know much about motors...or boats for that matter. I have not seen the motor yet, but wanted to get some info before I drive 80 miles to check it out. First, is this a good motor or one known to have problems? Secondly, does this sound like a fair price to you guys? I have looked at some motor prices on NADA and it really isn't much help. All of the motors I have looked at are not even close to NADA book value. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[j_martin]

Re: 94 Mariner Magnum III 150?????

It's the same as a Mercury XR6. carb'd 2.5l V6, running a strong 150. Sold as a bass boat motor.

It's a good strong engine that doesn't mind giving a little more if you want to mod it a bit.

 

[stratos92]

Re: 94 Mariner Magnum III 150?????

Thank you. I also just found a 97 Mariner 150 EFI. Does anybody have any info about the EFI models. The guy is in the process of rebuilding and will warranty the motor. I like the idea of getting a motor with a warranty, but not one prone to problems.

 

[1nebel0]

Re: 94 Mariner Magnum III 150?????

EFI means injectors..not a problem if you send them out on a regular basis to insure they are working correctly and not running lean. This will be throttle body injection kind of like the early cars that had throttle bodies with injectors...The later motors were DFI or direct injected like the cars are where it injects into the cylinder...Clean, fresh fuel is the answer for any outboards today...using old unfiltered fuel will cost you motors today....

 

[stratos92]

Re: 94 Mariner Magnum III 150?????

When you say send them out, what do you mean? Is it something where I would send them back to the factory each winter? I do not have much info about the motor yet, just that the shop is in the process of rebuilding it and should have it finished next week so I can go check it out. In your opinion would this be a good/reliable motor to replace my blown motor? I am a little gun shy since I just bought my boat 6 months ago, had it in the water 3 times and boom goes the motor. Thank you all for all of the info. This site is GREAT!

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: 94 Mariner Magnum III 150?????

If the fellow rebuilding is a dealer it may be Ok, if just some guy ask plenty of questions. Why is it being rebuilt?Did it get hot? Did injector/s lean out? Have injectors been flow checked and balanced? Has ECU been tested for problems? 75% of the failures on EFI is bad ECU, I have seen dealers take them in on trade,rebuild and 15-30 days later have same failure occur.

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: 94 Mariner Magnum III 150?????

to answer your price question...throw nada out the window...most mid to late 90s carbbed v-4 or v-6 motors in good working condition sell for $1500-3000 depending on condition...$2900 would be a little on the high side..but if the motor is in great condition..maybe. a 2000-2003 motor averages around $2500-3500..so you should be able to find a good condition 2003 carbbed for around $3000 pretty easy...but who you are buying from does make a difference..generally speaking I would pay a little more from a dealer because I would have more confidence in their honesty and ability to assess the motor. I have found out that for what ever reason, out board motor manufacturers have not caught up with autos in the reliability and low maintenance in EFI/DFI engines and the outboard parts cost about 4X what car parts cost..also I have heard many horror stories of people spending thousands on a motor and it still not running right..my personal opinion is leave EFI/DFI alone unless it is under warranty...besides I can diagnose/fix any problem with a carrbed motor and can save the very high labor fees of my local dealer, and do not have to leave my boat with them for weeks waiting for them to get to it in the middle of fishing season....much to consider

 

[stratos92]

Re: 94 Mariner Magnum III 150?????

No kidding about much to consider. Both of these motors are from marine repair shops. I have not had much luck finding anything from private owners, but I agree with you that I have a little more confidence buying from somebody in the boat/repair industry. I got burned on the overall boat purchase and do not want that to happen again and do not want to be rebuilding in 30 days again. I have been leaning toward the rebuilt EFI simply because it has been rebuilt and will have some warranty, but you guys have given me alot to think about with regards to the EFI.

 

[Superjetjim]

Re: 94 Mariner Magnum III 150?????

Go for the Magnum, awesome bit of kit. The EFI is bringing complexity you don't need. I run an 81 Merc v6 150 and that's still haulin to this day, simple and bomb proof, rugged design.

 

[stratos92]

Re: 94 Mariner Magnum III 150?????

Thank you for the advice. I will go take a look at it next week. I think the 91 Evinrude was a ticking time bomb when I bought it. It had low compression (80s) on all cylinders (which I know is low now), but when I questioned the mechanic about it he said that was great compression for that motor...and since I knew ZERO about motors I went and bought it. Here I am 6 months later shopping for a motor.

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: 94 Mariner Magnum III 150?????

depending on the model..80s may not be that bad on the Evinrude..do a decard and fresh head seals maybe get it into the 90s or 100s..some of the OMC motors came from the factory with low compression..if you have the GL or GT model 150 they have the higher compression 175 heads and run around 120 psi..But I have seen a lot of the OMC 150s running 90-95 psi and they run fine. my guess is you had a VRO failure that caused your OMC to blow..or ran a lean cylinder...or ran it hot..3 most common causes of engine failure..I found a pair of opti max motors for a friend once..I went and looked up the parts list because one of the motors needed a air pump..I saw way too many parts for $1K plus..i told my buddy to stick with carbs..he is happy with his 97 Johnson 115 60 degree carbbed motors..I think he paid $2200 a piece

 

[1nebel0]

Re: 94 Mariner Magnum III 150?????

In regards to having injectors cleaned, Brucato is the person...look them on on the web...They will flow them before and after and give you the spec's. I have a 115 four stroke 2004 that had a bad stumble off idle.. I sent them in and found cylinder 3 to be running rich and cylinder 4 to be running lean...Cost was I belive around$125...With the quality of fuel today carbs will give you less trouble. When the injectors are working well they work real well.. However get a lean condition on any one injector and pop goes a piston....Carbs are easy to clean once a year in my opinion....My neighbor is spending a couple of grand a year on his Optimax with Direct Injector probles and fuel injector problems constantly costing him down time...The 90;s motors are great in my book as they can be had for cheap and are easy to work on. We alway disable the oil injection and pre-mix..never a question about is the motor getting oiled!!!!!!

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: 94 Mariner Magnum III 150?????

ditto

 

[stratos92]

Re: 94 Mariner Magnum III 150?????

Thank you guys. I am going to look at a 96 Mercury 115 (inline 6) this afternoon. I am told that it has low hours and is in great shape. Comes with the controls, cables, etc. for what I feel is a fair price ($2500 obo) and a warranty. I am not sure about going to a smaller motor, but my boat is rated for 115-150 so it should power the boat well. The boat specs are 17'6"/dry weight 1370 and 91" beam. Will probably look at the carbed Mariner this week.

 

[Superjetjim]

Re: 94 Mariner Magnum III 150?????

Get the Magnum, you'll always think 'what if' with the smaller motor..

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: 94 Mariner Magnum III 150?????

Another good place to find nice engines are buying a whole used rig. I've often found great deals on whole rigs, the boat is trashed but the eninges are fine. I'll buy the rig,(often very cheap) use the engine, sell the trailer and trash the boat....have come out great this way.. just my experience.

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: 94 Mariner Magnum III 150?????

I would get a 150 if that is the max rated HP for the boat...you can always pull back on the throttle...be patient and get a motor you will be happy with..

 

[stratos92]

Re: 94 Mariner Magnum III 150?????

I have an appointment tonight to look at the carbed 94 Mariner Mag 150. I talked to the mechanic on the phone this morning and was told that they will run compression when I get there (but assured me it is good), start it up and the lower unit was just serviced including new impellar but no kind of warranty. They will remove my old motor/cables/controls, install new motor/cables/controls for $3000. I agree that I think I will be happier with a 150, just got the bug to be on the water and got a little impatient since the weather is finally breaking.