Just curious on thought's on these motors, good/bad/issues?

02 is the year

I think they are decent, How many hours?. Run in salt you will need exhaust if not done already. Fresh and I would pull a riser and check. They have there little quirks, like carry a spare I.A.C valve. Other than that I really have had no issues and I have about 320 hours.

It will probably need bellows if they have not been done yet,and if they are bad gimbal bearings.

420 hours, basic tuneup done last year, I assume the gimble's and bellows would be expireing soon, maybe I can negotiate some there

expensive date is spot on....

check risers and temp sensors for corrosion. Bellows should get attention if they haven't been changed.

X2 on the IAC. I have had mine go too.

In another 80 hrs..the top end should get looked at (lifters, springs, valves, etc). Simple compression test will let you know how the bottom end is holding up. Plugs and cap should get looked at too.

We have 480 on ours.

What the hell is a IAC?? boats been in freshwater since new, originally lake mead now in WI

Idle Air Controller, I think all the FI merc engines have them.

Its right behind the air intake on the manifold. It takes about 10 min. to change.

Just got mine back from the shop (140 hours) and the mechanic noticed one of the riser gaskets was leaking heavily, so just had those all redone.

Keep an eye on it those gaskets usually don't go bad. Sure it was not the riser?