i dont find they are. but the long running joke is that the crossflow v-4's carbon up real easy and at times break the rings.

Yeah they are loud on the hose. And rough running at idle. I dont think it gets much better. Thats how the neighbors know your home from fishing.

hey if you like the way a harley sounds youll love the sound of a merc.
if it sounds bad then its running good

I'm glad to be reading this thread about the Mercs being so loud and sounding like they're about to die. After getting my motor running right, I've not been satisfied with the sound of it at idle. My old Johnson idled like a sewing machine too. Smooth as silk. You could hear the telltale splashing water! This Merc beast though sounds like it's about to croak, the thing shakes a little and is REALLY loud, but touch the throttle and it revs up like a chainsaw on race fuel.