1996 125hp mariner questions?

[salmonite]

I was looking at a 125hp mariner on a boat i was looking to purchase. Can any of you fantastic guys/gals out there let me know the good bad and of course the ugly surrounding that year or the mariner brand in general? I have always had johnson/evinrude motors so very unfamiliar with merc/mariners. My buddy says beware of the black motor so little confused...
thanks

 

[1nebel0]

Re: 1996 125hp mariner questions?

All motors have their issues and challenges...That motor is a good motor as long as the compression is good..First thing to check before buying it...While compression is not the end all it gives you the building blocks to have a good motor... Nobody does a leak down test which is more accurate than a compression test however requires a compressor and some knowledge and the guage setup...This test measures the amount of leakage the rings are giving up....while compression can be good, leakdown could be marginal, which would tell you that re-ringing is coming up...just some thoughts for you to consider....

 

[Maxz695]

Re: 1996 125hp mariner questions?

I have an old antiuque of an engine Merc on mine but it,s still running with some attention from what I see out here in FL are most newer model Mercs run well and quite. I think the 225 are cool but we gotta settle for what we con get right. I havn,t seen anyone with a newer type merc break down yet out here. Good luck with the new motor. 125 will get you there I,m sure