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This is not to be about Merc vs Yamaha or anything else, but….I have been trying to talk a friend into buying a BC and he can afford a good used one. The question is what is high time, mid time or low time for an engine. Specifically a 2 stroke. I am an aviation mechanic and most reciprocating engines have a recommended overhaul of 2000 hours. My new dodge truck has 11000 miles and I think it is about 100 hours on the “information page” which would project out to roughly 200000 thousand miles which I suspect would have the hemis tongue hanging out especially if 30% of that is dragging a cougar around.I expect a boat falls into disrepair well before a reasonably maintained motor wears out.So, what can we reasonably expect a 2 stroke to go before it needs overhauled or replaced. Milton, with a 400 hour opti cougar
Depending on the engine, treatment and type, we think between 800 and 1250 hours. We have seen many put down the 2,000 hour m,ark, though not a lot of them. 800 x 40 MPH average = 32,000 miles. BCB
Im not followig what you are saying about your truck…11000 miles with 100 hours? that means youre average speed is 110 mph? I dont understand what youre saying, but the question of how long a 2 stroke will last…..there are way too many variables.Was break in done properly? proper oil used? not being over wound out too often? even how often is it used. I sometimes think a 2-stroke is better off being used more often then letting it sit idle for too long especially with todays gasoline. A little water in the gas and these dfi engines can pop even in good condition. I guess if the new dfi 2-strokes arent subjected to any unusual cercumstances such as water in gas or being treated with disregard, they should last as long or longer as the older carb 2-strokes…I dont see 1000 hours being unreasonable. Im really curious to see how these new sho engines do. All reports seem they are great engines, but I want to hear about them after 3 years of running.
I was typing while BCB was posting so not trying to repeat what they said…if I had known that I wouldnt have made a post and just shut up.
bass1958, Dont sweat the small stuff! You did fine. BCB
Thanks,I guess some real world experience posts might help, like ” I have 600 hours and still running strong” I really dont know how dodge trucks calculate hours but its probably based on speed, load and other stuff. I do run abit faster than I should. I am relitively certain the smart craft is a 1 for 1 reading. The other problem is that unless you have something like Smart craft, there is no way to get the hours out of the engine unless it is a computer engime. Little side note on the 225 opti, I had an issue with it running rough and cold. I bought the Smartcraft mercury test analyser, showed nothing. I eventually pulled the thrmostats and found a chunk of wood under the poppet. This has happend two more times in the last 2 years. I bump a lot of stumps in Louisiana and the holes on the nose of the foot get full of wood and it has no where to go but through the pump and the thermostats. Thanks Milton
I had this very discussion with a friend that is a Mercury Service Dealer in East Texas and he tells me there is a Mercury kit to block off the low water pickups on the nose of the lower unit to keep from picking up wood and grass and getting it stuck in the thermostats. You might check on it. I had around 450 hours on my 97 225 EFI Mariner when I sold it and it was as strong as the day I got it. If you treat it right it will last a long, long time.Mike
We need to drop this thread from the board now! For the last 10 years, Ive been telling my wife that the motor only last for 100 hours before lots of problems begin. Ive got 93 on my current boat, so Ive finally got her convinced that this will be probably be my last summer before Ive got to get a new one. Come on guys – work with me a bit here!
yeah thats it. 100 hrs max. Get rid of it before it blows. let it be someone elses problem.( hows that Blake?)
blake, your alright on 93. just baby that motor on pitstops, when momma is not looking, you will be aok.
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