Merc 4-Cyl

[RobinR]

Hey Gang,<br />I got a couple of questions about the old Merc inline 2+2 4-cyl (1989-92). First, did they work? Second, are they any good? (I haven't seen many of them on the used lists). third, is the concept still in use? Because aside from a few adds in mags of the late 80's I don't believe Mercury ever mentioned the 2+2 feature in their brouchures. And four, I found one for sale, but it ran rough, at idle and leaked water from around the spark plug but the cyl psi were all around 125. Without history it is very difficult to make an educated assumpshion about this eng. <br /><br />Any thoughts would be greatly appricated.<br /><br />TIA

 

[12Footer]

Re: Merc 4-Cyl

Never touched one. But I would avoid this motor. It could be nothing more than a head or manifold gasket..But it coud also be a cracked block.

 

[DJ]

Re: Merc 4-Cyl

Stay away. This engine was problematic from the get go. Does anyone remember the Cadillac 8-6-4?

 

[MERCMAN]

Re: Merc 4-Cyl

THESE ENGINES CAN BE TRICKY TO SYNC& LINK TO GET A SMOOTH IDLE BUT THEY ARE GOOD ENGINES FOR WATER SKING THAT IS WHAT THEY WERE INTIALLY BUILT FOR. IF YOUR LOOKING TO GO FAST THIS NOT THE ENGINE FOR YOU BECAUSE THE MAX RPM'S IS 5250 AND IF YOU TURN ONE 5400 TO LONG BIG PROBLEMS CAN OCCUR. THE WATER LEAK IS NO BIG PROBLEM IT'S JUST THE BACK WATER JACKET GASKET.

 

[RobinR]

Re: Merc 4-Cyl

Thanks for the response guys.<br />I tend to agree that the water leak is a gasket problem and can be fixed. The more pressing question is do they (2+2) hold up? Is there any way to disable this "Feature" so the engine dosen't kill the two cyls?<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[imported_Little_Bear]

Re: Merc 4-Cyl

Hello,<br />I currently own an 89' Merc 100 4 cyl. with the 2+2 system. The motor is far from perfect, but it has been good. It seems to have less low end grunt than the V-4 engines but overall I would buy it again.<br />Good Luck,<br />Little Bear

 

[MURX]

Re: Merc 4-Cyl

I had a '89 100 2+2 mine was trouble free once I got it dialed in, fuel pump diaphrams and switchbox were my only failures, thats a pretty wierd set up! below 16 or 1700 rpm the engine runs off two out of four carbs the other two supposedly let enough fuel/lube in to lubricate the cyls but not enough to promote combustion, change out the two carbs or ask a mercury dealer if they can modify em to work like the two good ones thats a good engine for a small 18-19 foot center console, great fuel economy and power was sufficient for my skiff, I had a 45 gallon permanent fuel tank and took that rig way offshore many time's. guys at the ramp would faint when I'd pull my local Yellow fin out of the box! "WHERE DID YOU GET THOSE" they would exclaim in utter disbeleif. Don

 

[jaykeyes]

Re: Merc 4-Cyl

Hello MURX & Little_Bear,<br /><br />I have 1990 Merc 100 HP, 4 cyl, 2 + 2 concept motor (Model 1100412LD). It was running fine until last weekend. I took it out and it would not "shift" into the 4 cyl mode, it only ran on the 2 cyls so I headed back to the dock.<br /><br />Have either of you experienced this and if so what was the problem, how was it fixed and how much $ did it take to get it taken care of?<br /><br />Thanks for your response. - Jay