2004 Mercury XR6 vs....

[TNReb]

I'm looking for my first bass boat. Something used.  Right now I'm looking for a Triton TR 186 or 196. 

 

I have found one that is pretty much exactly what I want, a couple thousand under my budget, but the motor is a 2004 Mercury XR6 150. 

 

I was hoping for an EFI motor. 

 

On a positive note, it's very low hours and very well taken care of. Original owner, garage kept, properly seviced, etc.

 

Any opinions on this motor?  

 

I think my biggest fear is buying a boat and finding out 6 months down the road that I have to put $1,000+ in to the motor. 

 

I'm not going to be upset if I don't buy this boat - I am just wondering if I am wrong for thinking I want EFI.  I don't want to pass up a good find because of my mechanical ignorance!

 

 

[fishnkamp]

I sent you a pm.  Those XR6 motors were very reliable.

[rangerjockey]

I ran a xr6 for years....great running motor, pain to cold start..

Everyone  has a method for starting one, sometimes it works sometimes not. 

Mine was, trim it level, prime it, hold the enricher in for a count of 10 and spin it.

Once it spits give it some throttle and try it again.  That usually did it. Once it warms you won't hear the starter the rest of the day. 

Personally I'll never own another carbed motor again .

[MittenMouth]

Have a 05 xr6 150 can confirm it’s a pain to cold start sometimes but it always does start!  

[J Francho]

Horrible cold starts!  Bullet proof powerheads, though.  Several guys were running them in my old bass club.  The bendix on the starter were sometimes sticky.  If you hit the flywheel with a mallet, that would release it.  Nevermind the choke/rpm adjuster routine...

[DINK WHISPERER]

I had a horrible experience with my last XR6 200hp! Ended up blowing a hole in the block. Almost impossible to start anytime. I would honestly hold out for an EFI. 

[38 Super Fan]

Other than cold starting difficulties, the XR6 was probably one of the best motors Mercury ever built.