Mercury 150 4 stroke and cold water

[JCNodak]

Has anyone had any experience with running the Merc 150 4stroke in cold (sub 40 degree, fresh ice off) water? Are there any issues? I have heard stories of possible condensation in the motor but it was just that, stories and assumptions. This is a brand new boat and motor, my first ever, so I don't want to screw anything up because I am too impatient to wait for appropriate weather to break it in. Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.
Sorry if this has already been covered. I can't find a thread on it.

 

[drivenmarine.net]

The engine should have a thermostat to keep it operating at the appropriate temperature. Engines can get condensation in the oil if the operating temp does not get hot enough to evaporate the moisture, or if just using it on very short runs, therefore not warming the oil up. Get that new boat out and enjoy it.

 

[eyexer]

If there is a problem with operating in sub 40 degree water then you bought the wrong motor.

 

[JCNodak]

If there is a problem with operating in sub 40 degree water then you bought the wrong motor.

Well, I was just throwing a number out there. I don't want there to be any problems at all. I have heard such great things about this motor and I don't want to be the one screwing anything up. It's my first large engine. My first 4 stroke. I saw something on a facebook group pertaining to this and it scared me a little. I don't know what kind of motor he had though. I want to make sure to do a proper break in even though I have been told that not many people really do.

 

[eyexer]

as long as the water is still water it doesn't matter what the temp is it'll run fine. If they can't be run in cold water then as I stated you bought the wrong motor no matter how good people claim they are lol

 

[Captain Ahab]

Just let the motor warm up for a reasonable amount of time before you hammer it down. Let the thermostat do its work.

 

[Sum1]

We run that motor in sub-freezing temps all spring and fall. No probs yet.

 

[JCNodak]

We run that motor in sub-freezing temps all spring and fall. No probs yet.

That's comforting. What motor do you run?

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as long as the water is still water it doesn't matter what the temp is it'll run fine. If they can't be run in cold water then as I stated you bought the wrong motor no matter how good people claim they are lol

I may be a bit slow. Still water such as a lake vs moving water such as a river? What would be the difference?

 

[johnr]

I have the 07 optimax, I guess its a '13 now since that was the last time it was completely rebuilt for the second time.
Warranty took care of the first blow up, which was determined to be from running the engine to hard prior to warming it up(which I never did). The second time there was a plug in the oil line which prevented the engine from getting the proper lubrications.

outside of those two terrible situations, I have never had any issue with any of the many boat motors I have run. My favorite time to fish is early spring, when the water temp is just about freezing. Should be an issue at all, definitely let the engine warm up prior to giving it the gungous

 

[deleted member]

"as long as the water is still water"... i think you may want to re-think how you comprehended that sentence JC. "still water". now that's good stuff. no offense. just found myself chuckling.

 

[JCNodak]

"as long as the water is still water"... i think you may want to re-think how you comprehended that sentence JC. "still water". now that's good stuff. no offense. just found myself chuckling.

HAHA. I see where I went wrong there. But I also fish the Red River, so I know why I was thinking the other. Funny. Still Water.

 

[guywhofishes]

Has anyone had any experience with running the Merc 150 4stroke in cold (sub 40 degree, fresh ice off) water? Are there any issues? I have heard stories of possible condensation in the motor but it was just that, stories and assumptions. This is a brand new boat and motor, my first ever, so I don't want to screw anything up because I am too impatient to wait for appropriate weather to break it in. Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.
Sorry if this has already been covered. I can't find a thread on it.

write your dealer or manufacturer an email asking this question then hang on to that email

 

[Sum1]

We run that motor in sub-freezing temps all spring and fall. No probs yet.

Its a 2014 150 Mercury 4 stroke.

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Like others have said just make sure you let it warm up. Another thing I do is always make sure water is coming out the pee hole. Some times a drop of water still in that rubber cap will freeze on the way down to the ramp early in the morning preventing water to come out of the pee hole. Usually a little flick will clear it. Or straighten out a hook and stick that in there to clear the ice. Its usually not a problem just something to look out for on cold mornings.

 

[shorthairsrus]

We may think we have unique situations here. But some areas that freezing temps is all they run in

 

[Sum1]

I have always had pretty good luck with boat motors. Every now and then someone gets a lemon but its pretty rare. All the big name engines are very reliable. Stay away from tourney boats. They run the piss out of them.

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The good thing about a brand new motor is its under warranty. Just have fun, take care of it and watch your depth finder and everything should be A-OK. The only thing that really kills a motor is rocks......stay away from rock.

 

[raider]

if you do get to open it up now (early/cold), just remember that performance in the dog days of july and august... that smile will come back in oct and nov...

 

[Rizzo]

When I put in Saturday morning it was only 10 degrees out. I've run in sub freezing temps a lot and yet to have any adverse affects on the engine. Live well and bait well valves now thats another story.

 

[eyexer]

That's comforting. What motor do you run?

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I may be a bit slow. Still water such as a lake vs moving water such as a river? What would be the difference?

no difference. I wasn't trying to sound rude or anything. But if the water is liquid and not ice your good to go.

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"as long as the water is still water"... i think you may want to re-think how you comprehended that sentence JC. "still water". now that's good stuff. no offense. just found myself chuckling.

I couldn't figure out a better way to put it LOL

 

[JCNodak]

no difference. I wasn't trying to sound rude or anything. But if the water is liquid and not ice your good to go.

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I couldn't figure out a better way to put it LOL

Yeah, I figured it out after it was pointed out to me. Like I said. Slow. I know you weren't being rude. Thanks for the input.

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if you do get to open it up now (early/cold), just remember that performance in the dog days of july and august... that smile will come back in oct and nov...

That's my problem, I have had this in the garage for 3 weeks now and if feels like it's been 3 months. This is my first large boat and I can't wait to get it out and see what she can do. Heck, it's even the first boat I've had that has trim/tilt. The anticipation is killing me! :;:help

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I have always had pretty good luck with boat motors. Every now and then someone gets a lemon but its pretty rare. All the big name engines are very reliable. Stay away from tourney boats. They run the piss out of them.

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The good thing about a brand new motor is its under warranty. Just have fun, take care of it and watch your depth finder and everything should be A-OK. The only thing that really kills a motor is rocks......stay away from rock.

Running on the river as I have, I am well aware of what a rock can do. I guess that's why we get insurance.
My question on this Merc 150 is how do I know when it's warmed up? Everyone, including my dealer said to warm it up and let the thermostat do it's work. On my old motor (25 hp mariner 2 stroke), it would just putter out the "pee hole" until the thermostat opened up. That is how I knew it was warm. Does it work the same on these new 4 strokes or is it always coming out of there with a nice steady stream?

 

[revolutionz]

I'm in the exact same "boat" ;:;rofl

I got my first big boy boat about a month ago, and I'm itching to get it up to Rainy this weekend, but sounds like it's gonna be cold.

My boat has the Yamaha 150 4 stroke and I'm super nervous that somethings going to freeze or crack and break it. From everything I've read though, as soon as you get the boat out of the water, drop the motor all the way back down and let it drain and you should be fine. Hopefully that works out, and more importantly, hopefully I can hook into some hogs up on the Rainy!