Mercury vs Hond***

[Scorpio]

Mercury 50 4 stroke efi versus Honda 50 4 stroke efi . If you have either , would you buy another ? OR any other info .. please

 

[JB]

Re: Mercury vs Hond***

Hi, Scorpio.<br /><br />I don't think the Honda 50 is EFI. For that reason I wouldn't buy it.<br /><br />The Johnson/Suzuki 4 stroke 50 is EFI, and I would prefer it to the Merc, though the Merc is a fine engine.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[butlp]

Re: Mercury vs Hond***

Scorpio, I have to agree with JB that EFI is the only way to go and in response to your question, yes I would buy another Mercury. <br />The JohnSuzi and Mercury are both great motors so look at price and dealer network before making a commitment.

 

[butlp]

Re: Mercury vs Hond***

Scorpio,<br />You didn't say what boat your going to put the new motor on as this may help in the decision making.<br />If its a pontoon, I think only Mercury and Yamaha have the Bigfoot/Hi Thrust lower unit. That really helps push the big slower boat.<br />I've also seen a lot of posts where people replaced a 2 stroke with 4 stroke and did not take the extra weight into account. Just something you may want to think about.<br />I put nearly 80 hours on my Merc. this summer and the only thing I can criticise is the gear shift from forward or reverse back to neutral. According to Mr Merc (who I bought mine from) the 4 strokes unlike the 2 strokes idle a lot smoother and it takes a little more effort to shift out of gear. He said the larger motors (over 60 hp) have a neutral shift interrupt like the stern drives that just cuts the motor for a split second to allow the gear dogs to separate. Its certainly not a deal breaker, but compared to my 90 Yamaha 2 stroke it seams stiff.<br />Hope that helps.

 

[Pursuit2150]

Re: Mercury vs Hond***

There is an old quote "If it's black take it back", go with the HONDA>

 

[butlp]

Re: Mercury vs Hond***

Pursuit,<br />Your absolutely right, we OMC owners always knocked the black machines, but look who stood the test of time. <br />I'm only guessing but I would bet that there are a heck of a lot more well established Mercury dealers in the US & Canada than any other manufacture. <br />My ration for buying Mercury is, if it fails at least I have a choice of repair shops and I don't have to wait for the next boat or air shipment from Japan for replacement parts.<br />I think the Honda was a great engine a few years ago when all other 4 strokes were carberated, but they are now more expensive and old technolygy. When or if they come out with an EFI they will be much more appealing and probably worth the extra money.

 

[Scorpio]

Re: Mercury vs Hond***

Thanks to all. Sorry guys this posting was sum what of a trick question.I wanted to find out if anyone was experiencing any problems with a 2001 Merc 40hp 4 stroke carb. I was experiencing bogging upon acceleration. My dealer basically rebuilt it. eg carbs,flywheel,ecm etc.and said I should have a new motor. The Merc rep. came out and tried a fix ,but failed. Then he said no new motor,that's just the way they run.My dealer is now backing off. Buyer beware

 

[Grant Ingle]

Re: Mercury vs Hond***

Scorpio,<br /><br /> Sounds like there may have been several problems with your motor. The four stroke Mercs are great motors with few problems in general. The motors, however, come to the dealer either still in the crate or rigged half-heartedly on the boat already. If the dealer does not tune the motor before passing it on to you there can be many problems directly related to this. The carbs are synchronized and marked at the factory but I have still to see one properly done. Fuel conditions are the most prevalent problem I have seen. Sorry to hear about your dealers' treatment of you; that makes guys like me look bad.<br /> If your warranty is still in effect, try another dealer before giving up.<br /><br /> Good Luck!

 

[Scorpio]

Re: Mercury vs Hond***

Thanks for your reply.I have had problems with the motor from day one.As I said the dealer tried everything,(many phone calls to tech people ,replacing many parts,adjustments, you name it ) The motor is on a Tracker super guide v16 , console. Yes, it is still under warranty.<br />I have called Merc Consumer compaints dept. twice getting little satisfaction.

 

[butlp]

Re: Mercury vs Hond***

Scorpio,<br />Sorry to hear your having problems with your motor, you may have to drive to Calgary or east to find someone who will help. Where about in Saskatchewan are you?<br />I have two friends that have the 2002/2003 40 & 50 hp Mercs, plus my own that have been flawless all summer, however they are all EFI. Hope you get some better support from Merc.

 

[Scorpio]

Re: Mercury vs Hond***

Hi Guy ; I live in Shellbrook .What I cannot understand is that my dealer took the boat out on the lake and said that I have a problem . If Head office Mercury said this is normal , WHY didn't my dealer tell me this was normal ? why didn't all the tech guys say this was normal ?<br />AND why the a Merc rep. come from Alberta to try<br />and make a fix,couldn't then say it was normal.<br />Because if I was told this was normal I would not have bought it .

 

[Jacques321]

Re: Mercury vs Hond***

Scorpio,<br /><br />I have the Merc 90 4 stroke. You can't floor the throttle on take off like a 2 stroke...it will bog or stall if you don't warm it up for at least 15 mins and even then you'll have to get used to being a little more suttle on the throttle. Don't worry you'll get used to it.<br /><br />My buddy has the Honda BF 90 and it to has the same characteristic.<br /><br />Mine required a little carb adjustment and idle adjustment, but that's about it.<br /><br />4 Strokes aren't as powerfull on take off but they outgun 2 strokes in the mid to high range accelerations.<br /><br />Good luck

 

[Scorpio]

Re: Mercury vs Hond***

Thanks for the info . BUT , it doesn't matter if you accelerate at dead stop, 1000 rpm or 2000 rpm, it still boggs , even if you've been running it for four hours . If what you are saying is " you'll get use to it " , did your dealer inform you of this prior to purchasing ?<br />like I said if I knew of this I wouldn't have purchased it . What happens if you are pulling a small kid on ski's ? Kid on top of the water then kid in the water then kid under water ??

 

[BillP]

Re: Mercury vs Hond***

My 96 Mariner 50 4S (merc) will bog down when cold. It takes about 10 minutes at 700 rpm idle in 75-80F water to warm up and the bog goes away.<br />It has carbs.

 

[Scorpio]

Re: Mercury vs Hond***

Your lucky,at least yours goes away

 

[butlp]

Re: Mercury vs Hond***

Scorpio,<br />I would be pushing for them to take the motor back and allow you full refund on a new EFI motor.<br />I've had a problem with a couple of companies that did not want to support and standby their products and I've had some success when I bombarded them with phone & e-mails.<br />Try to find out from your dealer the e-mail for the West Canadian Merc Rep. and start sending e-mails, plus copy this string to both of them and let them know it's becoming a hot topic on I-Boats. <br />With a little bit of investigation you can probably find out who the Head of Mercury Canada and even if you can't get his e-mail address, just try every combination of his name until the message stops being rejected. The guys at the top don't like bad press or dissatisfied customers so they can usually make things happen real fast.

 

[Scorpio]

Re: Mercury vs Hond***

Thanks. for your info. and support.Tomorrow <br />(monday ) my lawyer is sending letters to the company and my Dealer .He is a sportsman and doesn't believe ( it's normal and get use to it <br />bit ). In canada there is a law regarding Customer Satisfaction with a product .<br />I will never ever purchase a costly item like this ever again with out testing them out .NO<br />money will ever change hands unless I am satisfied . WE do it with vehicles don't we ?<br />Stupid - Stupid on my part , I'm to **** trusting

 

[JB]

Re: Mercury vs Hond***

I don't speak for my colleagues, Scorpio, but for myself I would prefer that you not play little games with bogus questions.<br /><br />You will do better to be straight with us.

 

[Scorpio]

Re: Mercury vs Hond***

Bogus questions ? You sound like a Merc rep .<br />this site I believed was to inquire about engine problems which I feel is a help to all.<br />I don't know if you have $7,000.00 Canadian to throw away , I don't . so bogus out to you

 

[Forktail]

Re: Mercury vs Hond***

FWIW, your Merc warranty will probably say something about satisfaction with the product.<br /><br />Under normal operating conditions, 4-strokes don't "bog" out. They may not be as throttle responsive as a 2-stroke, but they do not "bog". Carb or EFI. This is not normal, although I did notice a comment by Scorpio about pulling a water skier. Since this is a 50 hp, I could see it doing some serious "bogging" (overloaded) pulling a skier.<br /><br />This is generally a geat outboard. But it looks to me like the outboard does have a problem....the dealer verified it and the rep verified it. If Merc thinks it's normal, then try another brand new one and see if it does the same thing......