Merc makes a special set of muffs for their motors that seem to work best. actually 2 pieces that have a rod & spring clip to pass thru the motor & hold them together. probably my imagination, but mine seems to run in more "in the water" mode that the conventional muffs. don't know if they are worth the expense, but you don't have to worry about them vibrating off while the motor is running..

yep thats normal,but untln that water starts to flow im nervous too and why is evrybody want to run without the oil injector, my works fine, its a 1988 150 mercury o.b. 150

Yeps, thats normal for a Merc. My 200 Merc. did the same thing. Your good to go.

The stainless shaft that turns the oil injection pump runs off a plastic worm gear on the crank. The shaft wears down, the teeth get sharp and they will eventually bite into the plastic worm gear. I have seen dozens of mangled worm gears . . . very common failure in the 2.0L, 2.4L and 2.5L mercs. I have heard ethanol will swell the plastic which accelerates the wear, but I suspect that is shear speculation. It's really just a matter of time before this happens. There are tons of 1978 - 1983 mercs still running great without oil injection. With Merc's oil injection the oil and gas are mixed in the fuel pump before they enter the carbs, so what difference does it make if you mix oil and gas in the tank or in the fuel pump? I personally think that eliminating the oil injection reduces the potential problems (like the oil pickup screen getting clogged, worm gear failure, air leaks and broken oil injection tubes, forgetting to fill the oil injection tank, Making a mess in the bilge). Removing that oil injection system really cleans up the motor too.

This is just my opinion based on what I have seen and read, you have to make your own decision.

Do you have a water pressure gauge? What does it say at idle and on plane?

MJ doesn't even have a tach that works right yet or a compass. I'm going to try to get him hooked up this season with H20 pressure gauge.

I am torn between two names that are both fitting for MJ, my previously initiated "Wind Talker" and something that occurs to me every time I hear MJ prepping for a fishing trip " The Gambler"

What do you think CB

no worry I always make it home and have never killed anyone yet.

And we always have a boat load of fish!! Right CB





And Thanks BS, you take so good of me!! :love:

Correct! Mixing oil is the only way to go. I also believe in a water pressure gauge. The tell tale stream only works to alert you of a problem if you happen to be looking that way. The water pressure gauge is the cheapest gauge on your console and can save you much money. I've had one on every motor since an ice bag was caught on my lower unit 45 miles offshore. The hot alarm went off seconds after a piston siezed.

Step72 - How did you get in? That's my worst fear. I have to get a kicker bracket figured out for my boat this year.