Carbureted vs. EFI/MPI?

[YAMADOG]

Carbureted vs. EFI/MPI?

Okay, I know the differences between the three. I know that MPI is the best of the three for efficiency and adaptability (Temp/Alt), with EFI coming in next, and Carbureted coming in last. Question is, how concerned should I be with trying to find an EFI/MPI boat, or would I likely be perfectly happy with a carbureted boat? ?99-?02 era Merc and Volvo 5.0?s seem to be at the 220 hp/240 hp/260 hp levels (Carb/EFI/MPI), so some differences there as well. Would disadvantages would people list for the Carbureted engines (and advantages if any (no ECU?s?), trying to decide if I should keep carbureted engine?d boats in my search or not. TIA?

 

[External Combustion]

Re: Carbureted vs. EFI/MPI?

I would not let a carburettor keep me from considering an engine. I hear that injected engines are more reliable, but after running the engines in my care for close to fifty years and some of the ones I still play with are used frequently, I have never had a carb problem. ( I still have my first outboard a Scott Atwater). The one automobile carb I had to rebuild was because I took the fuel filter off to get home one night. I can't blame the carb for my stupidity.

The old engines that I collect usually have to have the carbs cleaned out. They also have had gas left in them to the point that it has dried out and water collected. Cleaning and rebuilding is simple, easy and most of the time inexpensive.

I have owned a few injected engines also and to be even handed the only problems I had was with a type three Volkswagon. (Yes, real old!).

I think they are all reliable if you keep the maintenence up. Keep fresh fuel, filter it and sleep well.

Just my opinion.

Of course you could toss them all overboard and get a reliable steam engine!

 

[BamaAlum97]

Re: Carbureted vs. EFI/MPI?

There is no real reason to avoid a carburated engine. Figure out what your power needs are for you boat and find an engine that meets those needs.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Carbureted vs. EFI/MPI?

If you understand the "set the choke" and "pump the throttle" scenario, there is no reason to avoid a carbed engine. If you aren't old enough to have ever owned a carbureted car those terms may be foreign to you but can be quickly learned and understood. EFI/MPI does that for you and hence its a "turn the key start" just like your "modern" car or truck. Proper storage and clean fuel are essential for long term survival of both systems.

 

[ilmostro99]

Re: Carbureted vs. EFI/MPI?

I'm no mechanic, but I can try to tell you what my dealer told me. Maybe somebody with a little more mechanical knowledge can explain it better. Here in Oregon, they are putting ethanol in the fuel. On a fuel injected engine, if water gets into the fuel (condensation, etc.), it can blow the injectors ($$$$$$$) out or otherwise reek havoc on the engine. On a carbed engine, it will just blow the water through, no problems, or at least WAY fewer problems than on a fuel injected. He told me that fuel injected is a better, more efficient system, but since they started using ethanol, he has seen some problems and now WAY more people are demanding carbed engines on their new boats. I don't know if they are using ethanol where you live, or if they use it where you may travel, but it may at least be worth looking into. Here, either there is a law, or they are getting ready to pass a law, that non-ethanol fuel can be brought in and sold for use in boats, airplanes, classic cars, ect., but the problem is that there is not enough volume so almost no gas stations are bringing it in, and you can't get it. You are forced to use the ethanol.
Erik

 

[bhammer]

Re: Carbureted vs. EFI/MPI?

Go with either if you find the right boat. I have owned both and I currently have a 4.3 MPI and love it. It cranks right up, real smooth and have had no issues with it. But, I grew up on carbed engines and knew how to pump the throttle and get it started. I didn't have any issues with my carb starting up after I learned the "sweet spot" for getting it going.

I haven't ever heard of water damaging injectors before and I always run a good water seperator. I would think that if water really did hurt the injectors, you'd have lots of cars with big problems too. I just don't know though.

What I do know about newer fuels is that they can eat seals and tanks of older boats faster than non E-10 / MTBF fuels.