Whatever issues they have certainly is not cooling the demand for the 450. Just back from a week at LOTO staying in one of the Redhead houses across the cove from PBC. Busy week over there with boat movement and deliveries. You couldn’t throw a stick any direction on the premises without hitting a 450 equipped boat.

Stealth mode is just too quiet. Switching to Sport mode is better but you're right they do need more db's.

I think I would throw a couple of 450R decals on the Cowl of a 400R and call it day.

No, from what I’ve heard, either on shore on boat a 400r passing by has been louder than a 450r. Probably not more than 60mph though. Would like to hear a 360apx in person.

All the ones you've heard must be in quiet mode. The "sport" mode lets the exhaust out above the waterline and it's considerably louder and deeper than a 400r.

This is just on the NA 300r for example

Appreciate the feedback on this thread, while opinions may vary it would appear there are significant enough issues in some regards with the 450 that it will be interesting how these motors will fare in a over the next few years. I have always been of the opinion that some new engine variants reguardless if marine or automotive use can have issues that are prolonged over the first few years of there use. Hopefully the manuf will continue to evolve with replacement parts that will eliminate or significantly impact down time with these units.

Hi!

As far as I have managed to search out in Norway, people are happy with them. They are very sensitive to electrical issues and although its a new propshaft over the 400R one, they still snap now and then. Maybe is due to a combination of weight, propshaftheight and ventilating. I am going ahead buying one, and we will see if I did the right decision or not. My boat weight is approx 2,800 lbs with motor and no driver. I use a jackplate, so going on plane the proshaft will be approx 3 inches below the bottom, and at WOT approx 2 inches above. I have experienced no issues with my 400R propshaft.

Thanks for all input! Much appreciated :)

Cheeers, Toffen

No mechanical issues thus far for me (knock on wood).....however they are a pain in the azz to flush.....the access plugs on the Cowlings seem to create a vacuum and most of the time I have to use pliers to turn them to open and then the hose barb only comes out about an inch and it is a b*tch to hook the hose up....I am sure someone way smarter than me (which would be most) has figured out a hack to make it easier

Sounds like a good plan as long as it still pumps water jacked up that high!

Perhaps make small extension hoses you can add that can be secured near the front of the engines. Capp them off, or use a shot-off valve and quick connector. Can then easily reach the ends and flush.

There is good news for anyone that is not happy with them. The market demand is very, very, high so selling them will be an easy task. I ordered a set a couple weeks ago and I will be lucky to get them before new years.

Joe

Hi!

How many months do they estimate it takes to deliver them? I heard as much as 9 months ...

Cheers, Toffen

updates: Earlier this week, after waiting for my parts the last 3 weeks or so, all the parts came in with the exception of (2) boost valves which..wait for it...were on backorder. Mechanic contacted whomever in mercury and they didn't have a time frame for when the part would arrive. So that sucked. Yet again, waiting. Apparently, after being frustrated, I reached out to some of the right people. Parts were here miraculously by Friday. Good news, now just have to wait for mechanic to install and hope its good to go. Again, maybe I just got an early motor, or just have bad luck but, it's literally been something with each motor. Its nice to hear that people have 1000's of hours with them already with no issues however, that is far from my experience.

Issues on the outside motors or inside?

Believe boost valves are center/stb

Toffen,

There are several manufactures that have 100 or more motors on order. If for some reason they don't take them at the time of production, then they will call the next on the list. With the way boats are selling at this point, I don't hold much faith in getting a call before years end.

Joe

I ordered my boat with the auto flush system. Not cheap... Nothing on a boat is but Id say it was worth every penny. Just plug your hose into one spot on the boat and let it run. It circulates through each engine (3 in my case) at either 7 or 11minute intervals then shuts itself off. DONE! Its all the difference in the world between "I dont feel like flushing today" or "Ill just plug this in, turn it on and walk away"

If I were you I'd get them fixed and sell them. Like everyone said the market is hot so sell them and re-rig with 400's. Having a new boat that you constantly can't use because of the motors is the absolute worse and sucks all the fun out of what you spent all that money on. Sounds like you got some lemons and I'd be cutting my losses and going with a platform that has proven reliable for 16 years.

Can anyone speak of any other Mercury R(acing) engine that have or had issues other than the 450R?

I had several issues with my Promax 300 and my Merc 2.5 EFI SS engines (no suprise..). But is several years ago now :)

2 blown counter rotation lower units. 4 lift actuators went bad. Multiple blown belts due to Pully corrosion on professionally maintained and operated boat. Quad 450 r on a 420 freeman after waiting 8 months for Merc to get us parts. After being down 8 months we got motors back up with full 100 hr services just to be safe.2 trips we now have an engine that turns off when we go from cruise rpm to idle. Code goes no were. 3 super charger seals leaking oil out of 4 engines. It's been a complete nightmare. 3 years of owning boat and have only been able to use it 2 trips a year in 3 years beacuse after the second trip every year the engines have had Nothing but problems. We have a quad Yamaha 425 boat with 2k hrs zero issues expect maintenance and engines still look brand new. It's so bad. Mercury won't do anything about it. But if you corner a nerc guy they will tell you they know they have major problems with that model.

Hi!

Thanks. I have now 300 hours on mine with zero issues. Need to be careful when warming it up to let the thermostats open up. Use more fuel than my Verdado 400R, but that's expected.

Sorry to hear about your problems.

Cheers Toffen

All of them.

450R break in
 

Hi folks! New to the forum. Just purchased a QXSB with 450R engine. Is there anything I need to know about break in period? Do I really need to take it up to 80-85 mph? Also on first oil change did you do it at 10 or 20 hours. Thanks for your responses!

Cheers!

I changed mine after 5 hours when new. Have had no major troubles but I don't run in salt water and maintain gear case oil every 20 hours and the oil is beat up.

Joe