Are there any problems with mid '90s Merc 150s

[Further North]

Found one locally, it's injected, two stroke.

Don't know hours yet.

[staylor]

Solid motor, uses more gas than others in class. Very reliable and simple to fix. Some have cylinder liners, others have a nickel-silicone "plating" on bare aluminum cylinders. Remove the plugs and look down the holes with pistons rotated to botom dead center one at a time checking for heavy scoring or signs of seizing. Also, pull the prop and check the big cover nut for the propshaft where it enters the gearcase. Look for various patches/pins/damage from the cover unscrewing itself from overload.

While you have the cowl off, look for signs of an overall oil mist on the block- coming from a leaking upper crankshaft seal. Rock the flywheel left to right feeling for any "clunks" from a worn upper main bearing. Run at idle for awhile to see if it loads plugs. Keeps running at idle for around 5 minutes checking for overheating. If it has a temp gage, after idling for 5 minutes open throttle to 1800-2000 rpm or higher and see if water temp drops rapidly from a properly functioning cooling bypass poppet valve. A typical drop is from 130 or higher at idle to 110 or lower after the bypass poppet opens.
Doug

[ChuckD]

You won't find the hours on this engine unless there is an hour meter installed in the boat.

They are solid motors.

[Further North]

Thaks for the information...on fuel usage, how would it compare to a 1990 Johnson 150 GT, carburated?

[staylor]

...at cruise speed the 2 motors would be about the same. Flat out, I would expect the EFI to use less gas, but at trolling speeds, it's hard for the EFI to compete with a set of well adjusted OMC carbs.
Doug

[ChuckD]

I drive my '94 175 EFI fast most of the time. 2-2.5 mpg. Best I ever got while conserving fuel on a week long camping (no gas stations) was about 4mpg.

I once had a '99 Johnson 115 2 stroke, carb. My Merc 175 is about equal on fuel and way better on oil consumption. Run synthetic (I choose Amsoil) and it runs better and smokes a lot less.

[Further North]

OK, thanks all...I'll call the guy and see if it's worth pursuing.