'97 mercury EFI, good motor?

[2182]

i have had 2 mercurys in recent history. one was amazing, the other was a nightmare. i am looking at a boat with twin 97 225 EFIs, and thought i'd ask on here, since you guys know motors better than i do.

[eggsuckindog]

My 200 really has served me well, I had a real quirky issue but in general it has been a great motor. I just rebuilt mine after 5yrs as it was getting very tired. Parts are easy to find but the dealer has to do the dianostic work with the EFI electronics - Scream and Fly has tons of stock parts they take off their racing motors.

[jwclbi]

I have A 98 225 EFI, knock on wood been a great engine, some small repairs now after years, trim motor issues but mine is a 20" and trim motor sits in water all the time. But it has been great and I run it pretty hard. I flush it out after every use though, its a bit thirsty when you run it hard. Good luck

[2182]

thanks guys. you have echoed everything else i have heard about them. read on t.h.t. that they drink 3 gph at idle speed. for someone who spends a lot of time slow trolling, that should be fun.

[DonV]

I have a 2003 225hp 3.0 litre Merc on my SeaCraft, at trolling speed approx. 1800 - 2000rpm I burn 3.5 gal an hour. I can't say I've ever checked how much I burn at idle. 3 gph seems high.

[Bushwacker]

. . . at trolling speed approx. 1800 - 2000rpm I burn 3.5 gal an hour. I can't say I've ever checked how much I burn at idle. 3 gph seems high.

Just for reference, my E-Tec burns 0.18 gph at idle, and about 0.5-0.6 gph @ hull speed (~5 kts), ~ 1000 rpm. MPG drops real fast when I push it over that, so I either run 5 kts or put it up on plane at 20 kts+!

[DonV]

Jeeeez Denny.......you're killing me!!! We have talked and you know I would like to hang a 250HP eTec on the back of my 23'er. Go ahead and rub it in, I know my gas consumption sucks, however it's been paid for....for a long time. Being poor sucks!

[2182]

agreed on that. i plan to hang 225 e tecs when the time comes on the new boat. as to the 3 gph, like i said, it came from t.h.t.. sounded high to me too, thats why i passed it along.

[NoBones]

I know my gas consumption sucks, however it's been paid for....for a long time. Being poor sucks!

Don, money can't by happiness!!
but it sure makes sorrow a whole lot easier to take!

See ya, Ken

[DonV]

Don, money can't by happiness!!

Hummm.....it would be fun to to find out!!! However a few more weeks like the last two in the market, I won't be able to be happy at all 'cause I'll have no more money!!