EFI advantage/ reliabilty ?

[pond monkey]

I run my boat at elevations from near sea level to almost 7000 feet. My 30 hp Honda losses serious power at the higher elevations as would be expected. <br />I am wondering , does efi automatically adjust the air/ fuel mixture and compensate as air thins with elevation increases ? <br />I'm considering upgrading to a 40 hp 4 stroke efi model and am looking into a Merc or Suzuki.<br />Reliability is huge to me. Are these motors as reliable as a Honda?<br />Does yammie make the mid range Merc 4 strokes?<br />Thank you......PM

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: EFI advantage/ reliabilty ?

Just as your car does with fuel injection, you outboard will compensate for altitude, also. Suzuki makes some good motors, as well as the others. The Johnson is also just a Suzuki in disguise...

 

[JB]

Re: EFI advantage/ reliabilty ?

I agree with Rick, PM. EFI is the way to go with 4 strokes.<br /><br />As reliable as Hondas are, operating at high altitudes calls for different jets in carbs. <br /><br />My experience with my Suzuki EFI 4 stroke (DF70) indicates that EFI will be more reliable than a carbed engine.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[ziemann]

Re: EFI advantage/ reliabilty ?

You are all correct. EFI in a 4 stroke will allow the outboard to compensate for the altitude, BUT you will still have an appreciable power loss the higher in altitude you go. As you gain altitude and the air gets thinner, your outboard will be able to compensate to a point- but do not expect to have the same power at 6500 feet as you do in the flat lands. <br /><br />We experience this especially with EFI snowmobiles that can span 4000 feet plus in altitude in a day. The snowmobiles compensate the fuel air mixture to keep them from burning down, but loss of power is still very noticable. Granted, this is a 2 stroke scenario, but it remains applicable. <br /><br />I agree, Suzuki has a great reputation for reliabiltiy and would make you very happy in this scenario.

 

[DJ]

Re: EFI advantage/ reliabilty ?

Agree with the altitude change scenario. The EFI can compensate,yet thin air is still thin air. A power loss will be felt. The EFI deals with it much more effectively than a carburetor.<br /><br />EFI has been around in mass produced cars and trucks since the late seventies. That's enough of a proving time for me.

 

[RJS]

Re: EFI advantage/ reliabilty ?

This is the start of my third season with my Merc 200 HP 2-stroke EFI. It has never failed to start instantly regardless of the conditions. I'm sold. I wouldn't expect differently based on the effect EFI has made on the automotive industry. I find it hard to support going with a caburator. The easy to work on argument doesn't fly with me. EFI is reliable, what is there to work on.

 

[pond monkey]

Re: EFI advantage/ reliabilty ?

Thanks everyone.....however no one answered my other question ......who makes Mercs mid range 4 strokes? Do they?<br />Thank you....Pond Monkey

 

[quantumleap]

Re: EFI advantage/ reliabilty ?

I believe all midrange Mercury motors are built by them.