2003 Mercury 115 4 stroke EFI

[ocuyler]

Hey guys,

A 2003 Mercury 115 4 stroke EFI came installed on my new Boston Whaler 16' Dauntless. It a terrific motor. No choke starts, runs very quiet, especially at idle, great mid-range power and a perfect 2.5 to 3.5 mph troll at idle. Indication so far show amazing fuel mileage.

The only problem that started almost immediately was the linkage became sticky trying to go from forward back into neutral. It binds a little and then jumps into neutral or even past it into reverse. Ouch! Also neutral is hard to find and it occationally will start in gear.

I dropped it off at the dealer, who's immediate reaction was "welcome to the world of Mercury". The comment FLOORED me. I asked why he would say something like that to a first time service customer. His reply refered me to the dealership owner. His reply today was that they have have this persistant problem with the lower units being too "tight" and that Mercury customer service was BALKING at acknowledging the problem, much less a fix. So they are going to do the "best they can".

Any comment out there? Joe?

[Doug Erickson]

Otto,
I bought my wife a new 19'Sea Pro cc last year with a 125 Mercury.
Same problems with shifting,stiff as hell and real easy to over shift into reverse from forward and vice versa.
My dealer told me it would be the case before I got the boat.
I recently started using her boat,when i blew the lower unit on the seacraft.
The controls on the Evinrude are much better.
I wonder if it is in the lower unit or just the Quicksilver shifter on the Merc.

[ocuyler]

Doug,

The dealer was specific about the problem being with the lower unit, but, we'll see. In retrospect, I never used a Merc shifter that I liked. I like the 1989 Yamaha shifter on the 23 SeaCraft. It's a dream compared to a nightmare.

I'm sure they'll get it working adequetly. The starting in gear thing is a liability nightnmare for me, the dealer and the OEM. If they can't fix that, they'll be a Ficht or Yamaha on there according to my boat (and lawsuit)loving lawyer.

I heard the WOT theory from the Honda rep too. The dealer is re-proping this motor to find the 6000 RPM max, to improve it's hole shot and 6 pasenger cruise performance. With the existing prop, I'm only getting 5400, but it still goes 45 mph. In the area I use this boat, that's PLENTY FAST in all but the calmest conditions. Isn't part of the break-in procedure getting AIR?

Any other comments out there. A solution would be good...

[ July 28, 2003, 01:58 PM: Message edited by: Otto Cuyler ]

[Jason LaVey]

Otto,
Don't know about the shiny new ones [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] but you described my 1997 to the T. Find a top-notch Merc guy. Friend of my families is the sales rep in my area and recommended a mechanic who got it to work a little better, but it is still a little tough to find neutral.

All in all, you'll love the motor..crazy-thing ...my buddy the rep said that they perform best and should be run (after your break-in period I'm sure) at WOT. Whoo hoo, hang on chief!

BTW still loving my non-port diving SeaCraft [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[barnacle]

Otto, I have not heard of this problem. We are not a Mercury outboard dealer so we do not see them to much. The only problem I have heard with the mid size Mercurys is a gearcase wine when a stainless prop is used. This they say is normal. As for the rpms its very important to be able to hit the top rpm to keep these engines alive. Even if you dont run it at 6000 rpms. If you have a motor lugging it will not live long. Next time A mercury man comes in Ill ask him about it.

[ocuyler]

Joe,

Thanks for the comments. Turns out, the dealer ordered a new gear case/lower unit and will install it under warantee. We'll see from there.

I really think that having the wrong prop (over-propped) was putting extra load on the clutch, making it harder to get out of gear, but I'm no expert. I am an expert at how much all this shit costs though...

If you do hear anything, it would be appreciated.