The Good and Bad of a 1996 15 HP 2-stroke Mariner Need help!!!!!!

[jldean23]

I am looking for a 15 hp motor for a new jon boat i am getting it will be a 1542 or a 1448 jon, i have been looking for months for a 15hp to no evale. I finally fount what looks to be a decent motor it is a 1996 15 hp mariner. I have never dealt with these motors dad always had a johnson or a evinrude, i know this motor is made bye mercury but like i said i have no idea if they are good/bad motors or always have problems or if parts are hard too find. It just got a new coil pack put on it last year prop isnt beat up paint and decals are nice and clean it has been winterized, but it set for 2-3 years but starts right up, it had a full service last year.

He wants $800 which is not bad what do you guys like and dislike about this motor thanks alot guys.....

Also i seen the video it starts on first pull i have tried to research this motor like the specs, "weight"what type of prop"oil mixture"if it has shallow water drive". But i cant find it and in the outboard world its pretty new what i do know is that it has a thermostat and no water comes out till it gets up to temp so it idels better then the water flows any help you guys can give thanks....

 

[sib240]

Re: The Good and Bad of a 1996 15 HP 2-stroke Mariner Need help!!!!!!

I have a 1997 6hp (the same basic engine as 15hp) I have had it for over a year and it's the best engine I've ever had have never had any problems starts first pull even after month or so of storage. I also have 20hp mariner around same age had the for near 10 years had no bother with that either only the occasional carb clean or new plugs but thats about it . In my opinion their great motors I would definitely suggest them

 

[jldean23]

Re: The Good and Bad of a 1996 15 HP 2-stroke Mariner Need help!!!!!!

I have a 1997 6hp (the same basic engine as 15hp) I have had it for over a year and it's the best engine I've ever had have never had any problems starts first pull even after month or so of storage. I also have 20hp mariner around same age had the for near 10 years had no bother with that either only the occasional carb clean or new plugs but thats about it . In my opinion their great motors I would definitely suggest them

Do you think that is a good price smalloutboars.com has the same motor for $1095.00 plus $145.00 ship this guy wants $800.00 and his is in way better condition. What should i do to it to keep it in tip top shape when i get it any new parts that i shoud add???

 

[oldman570]

Re: The Good and Bad of a 1996 15 HP 2-stroke Mariner Need help!!!!!!

If it close by, I would go take a look at it and run a compression test on the cylenders. If both have good compression, within 10 pounds of one another and are above 100, check the LU gears and LU oil for any metal shavings. Ask if he could run it on muffs if not in a barrel to see if it will idle while in FWD and REV gears. If everthing is good, hand him the $800 and leave before he changes his mind. If any thing is not good then you can dicker on the price some. If the compression is more than 10 pounds diffrance, it might be best to tell him you will think about it and leave and don't go back. JMO
Oldman570

 

[ondarvr]

Re: The Good and Bad of a 1996 15 HP 2-stroke Mariner Need help!!!!!!

Good motor, and a good price, like already said, check it out, if it's in good shape buy it.

 

[Mohawkmtrs]

Re: The Good and Bad of a 1996 15 HP 2-stroke Mariner Need help!!!!!!

I've got a 1995 15 HP, had it since new...runs like a fine watch.

 

[jldean23]

Re: The Good and Bad of a 1996 15 HP 2-stroke Mariner Need help!!!!!!

Good good this makes me feel better went and bought the stuff to make a wooden stand guess ill go get it sat. Should i go ahead and change spark plug, impeller, clean all metal connections just for spite. I will also take a compression tester just dont know if i should do it cold then hott or just do it hot. I also tried too look it up on what the compression would be on a 96 15 hp mariner couldnt find it, i dont know if 125psi is what it was new one guy said 100psi both cylinders not more than 10 apart but if it is still in really good working order i wonder what it should be at..

 

[oldman570]

Re: The Good and Bad of a 1996 15 HP 2-stroke Mariner Need help!!!!!!

Dosenot make much differance if the motor is cold or hot realy. Make sure that the throtal is wide open when testing compression an readings are within the limits. Readings on a warm motor will be some higher as the motor metal has expanded some, an will have more oil on the rings causing a higher reading. I've run cold tesat and had readings below the 100 mark and as long as they are within the 10 lb. spread they are still good to go. JMO
Oldman570

 

[jldean23]

Re: The Good and Bad of a 1996 15 HP 2-stroke Mariner Need help!!!!!!

Thanks alot guys just finished the stand lol watch ill call tom or fri and even though he knows i want it he sold it, i hope not but we will see.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: The Good and Bad of a 1996 15 HP 2-stroke Mariner Need help!!!!!!

If you want it why are you waiting to go look at it?

 

[jldean23]

Re: The Good and Bad of a 1996 15 HP 2-stroke Mariner Need help!!!!!!

He is 2 hours away and i work 330-midnight and he doesnt get off work until 430pm so only way is on a weekend, he is not going to sell he knows im getting it. Know all thats left is the boat i guess im going to get a 1542 alunimcraft w/trailer i think it is $1,925, I know one thing jon boats uest to be cheap i dont know what happened and most trailers were $500.00 now they are $800.00 and $2,500 for a 15 hp 4-stroke is just ridiclious.....

 

[quicktach]

Re: The Good and Bad of a 1996 15 HP 2-stroke Mariner Need help!!!!!!

Good motor and good price. But check first before you hand over money ....compression, lower unit gear oil, spark plugs for any signs of fouling. Does the wiring look good ..no cracks, signs of burns or abrasions. If you can run it in water ...does it pee ?

 

[jldean23]

Re: The Good and Bad of a 1996 15 HP 2-stroke Mariner Need help!!!!!!

Got the motor sat, ran a compression test 120psi exact on both cylinders. Ran it in the bucket took 2 min for engine to warm up then lol it peeed well, it idled really good it needs to be ran hasnt for 2 years, at one time it wouldnt start back it had to much oil 40:1 when tell me if im wrong i think this motor uses 50:1. I belive it got flodded got it started back and it went back to normal.

Changed low unit oil i was going to change impellar but it pumps good so i guess ill leave that be the only problem i can see is when you tilted it up for a min,it leaks gas you dont see it drip but carb is wet, it looks like it is coming from the primer plunger that has a diaphram when you use the choke a lil arm pushes the plunger down, i took that piece off and the black gasket material in the plunger is coming off. So i thought the only place for them lil piecies to go was in the carb so i took it all apart cleaned it and ordered a carb kit and ill just replace all gaskets it comes with the new plunger diaphram. other than that has anyone tried seafoam inside cylinders to break up any carbon why i am working on it i figured i should do that as well....

 

[oldman570]

Re: The Good and Bad of a 1996 15 HP 2-stroke Mariner Need help!!!!!!

For a decarb of the motor, get a spray can of Power Tune at a local dealer and put some in on the piston tops, with the motor tilted up, and let it set for 30 minets. Then fire it up and wait for the smoke to clear. Sea Foam is good for a mix in the fuel to help keep water down and cleaning the motor while running. Power Tune will also help clean the carbswhen it is put into them, as a first try deal, before haveing to do a rebuld of a carb. It will work on any motor such as mowers, weed eater and the sorts. Cost around $15 or less a can in most cases. Follow the directions on the can for best results. JMO
Oldman570

 

[jldean23]

Re: The Good and Bad of a 1996 15 HP 2-stroke Mariner Need help!!!!!!

Never heard of power tune is it something you can find at autozone or just a boat dealer. I already have the carb apart got the kit for 27.88 i didnt like the look of the plunger diaphram so i orderd kit, you cannot buy that primer diaphram seprate it comes with in the carb kit and it cold dont have the boat yet so lol carb came apart.... i sprayed the whole carb it should be spotless. I like seafoam i use it on my chainsaw brings it back to life every year even if i sta-bil it will at funny bogg down when i hit the gas sea-foam breaks it loose. Ill try the power tune i just want my motor in tip top shape, i dont want to go through the problems of being on the water and then having problems, did many times with my brothers motor....Im sure there is some carbon or gunk on the piston head and rings i just didnt know if sea-foam was good at breaking it loose..

 

[oldman570]

Re: The Good and Bad of a 1996 15 HP 2-stroke Mariner Need help!!!!!!

Sea foam will help but it mixes in the fuel and works when the motor is running. Power Tune can be bought ar most OMC/BPR and Merc dealers and will dowork when the motor is not being run. It will smoke like crazy when started untill it has burnt off as it goes thru the motor. I have never seen any of it sold at auto supply stores as it is made and sold as a manufacture product.
Oldman570

 

[jldean23]

Re: The Good and Bad of a 1996 15 HP 2-stroke Mariner Need help!!!!!!

I dont have a Merc dealer close so i might try sea foam deep creep, from what i have read it does very well. You spray it at 1/4 throttle into air intake then spray thick till it boogs down then you take out spark plugs and spray into cylinder let it set then start it back keep reapeating till it quits smoking. i took a flashlight and top of pistons look carboned good so it needs done i wanted to take head off to inspect the whole piston and sleeves but i dont know if it will hurt anything, or if it needs to be done a certain way not to mess anything up, as if when you take it off you have to replace gasket im waiting for service manual to get here and ill check that step by step...

 

[oldman570]

Re: The Good and Bad of a 1996 15 HP 2-stroke Mariner Need help!!!!!!

With the compression readings that you have on the motor, I sure would not go to the trouble of taking the motor apart at this time. The decarb with deep creep, and the motor being run with sea foam afterward should get the job done. Go ahead and run the motor, after the decarb, and look at the plugs after it has run for several hours to make sure that everything is set and good to go. JMO
Oldman570

 

[jldean23]

Re: The Good and Bad of a 1996 15 HP 2-stroke Mariner Need help!!!!!!

Ok thanks oldman i got the carb kit in today started to put it together before work and will finish tonight when i get home, cant wait to see how she will run. After decarb with the deep creep should i do seafoam with one gallon of gas and oil or do more??

Thanks for the info....

 

[oldman570]

Re: The Good and Bad of a 1996 15 HP 2-stroke Mariner Need help!!!!!!

I would do a full tankful of the sea foam mix, just for the extra cleanup of everything if the motor has set fot any lenght of time.
Oldman570