150 vmax

Need some input about 150 vmax. Maintanence issues, fuel and oil usage and are they worth the money given today's market. Got a buddy looking at 18.5 skeeter with this engine. No slams just opinions. Thanks for input.

Great motor, bulletproof, low maintenance, likes gas but not bad, same for oil, good power, very reliable, does not like cold weather.

I have a 99 Vmax ox66 (fuel injected). I have zero complaints after 17 years of ownership, the only problem I ever had was when I lost the fuel pump and it was covered under warranty.

I don't have any problems in cold weather. In fact, my motor is still using the factory water impeller (just to show how bulletproof it is and how stupid I am for not having it changed).

Just replaced the impeller on my 2000 vmax this last year. Second owner and as far as I know it's only time as well. Regular maintenance is pretty much all as said above. Is slower to start when cold but tough as they come for motors.

I have that same motor. I have a 98 skeeter zx185c with a 99 yamaha vmax150.

Like someone else mentioned, it's bulletproof. I've never done anything to it, I've added gasoline and oil to the boat, normal yearly tuneup, and it's now 17 years old with zero issues.

It is a booger to start when it's below 40 degrees, but after she fires up once, it's easy after that the rest of the day. I wouldn't be scared to buy another, that's for sure.

My sons boat is a ZX185C, with a 98 VMAX 150. Compression is great on all cylinders, and it is super reliable. Fires right up reguardless of cold or hot weather. And it runs like a top............

I have a 2000 Vmax. I fish all year. Never had any problem in cold weather.Ring free or any anti carbon additive is very important IMHO.As said, bulletproof.

I have 2010 Skeeter 190zx with the 150 VMax. No problems, only lately in the cold weather I have to use the manual choke to get her going at times.

THIS
I have the 2000 EFI andlove it. Zero issues, zero starting problems, great motor. It does like it's gas & oil.......but no issues.
I also have it on an 18.5ft DC Skeeter and it will pop the boat right up on plane, no problem with hole shots or speed. 65mph floored and smooth water w/tournament load. will cruise nicely at 60mph

I've got a 2012 Stratos 189 VLO and a 150 VMAX. ZERO issues with this motor. I don't think its bad on gas or oil at all. I highly recommend the motor without reservation.

I forgot to mention earlier that I do use the ringfree at every fill up, other than that it's just mid grade gas, oil and go.

Forgot to mention Yamalube since new...

Mines the same... Little tough under 40* but after a few seconds... Off to the races

I had a 2000 Vmax 150 and I had the same experience as everyone else on this page. I tuned it up when I bought it and never even had to touch it for the 4 years I ran it. Just run some ringfree or something to keep your carbon buildup low and it will be fine. Also Mine sipped the oil. Drank the gas but I went through very little oil.

OK....... I had a 2000 150 max that blew 2 weeks after warranty was up. But I feel it was more from a bad tech and dealer. Blown motors happen to every brand so I would check out the maintenance as much as possible and have a reliable tech give it a look

I have a 2004 TZX 190 with the VMax 150. My previous boat was a 1996 Champion with a 2001 Mercury 200. Same size boat and the Vmax out performed the Merc and i have always been a Merc guy. I bought boat back in May and just had impellar, plugs, gas filter, and lower unit oil changed and it runs even better. It does use a little gas but little oil. I am weird and probably don't need to but I fill up with super unleaded and use stabil.

Thanks for the input. It sounds as if it is a good engine for what he is wanting to do. He will be buying new boat and engine. Not used. Der Vorsteher, I have a 250 etec and I run plus and stabil every fill-up. Never had any problems.

running a 97 150 proV been a great motor. orig owner

I've got a 2002 150 Vmax carbed that I've run since 2012. Two impellers, and that's all I've had to do. Starts first crank after you get it going the first time, but can be tough to start after it's set up a while, especially if it's cold. First "big" motor I've had, so to me it uses a lot of gas and oil compared to the 90 HP I had before. IMO you're taking increased reliability in exchange for fuel efficiency. I'd say go for it.

When I bought my boat the service dept said do not use super unleaded due to the high octane lever, something about blowing the head or rings. You might ask someone or see what others here say, just in case. Rather safe than sorry.

Bought mine used in early 2014, not one single issue. Starts like a champ every time. 2011 Zx 190, sips oil and pretty good on gas

I have a Ranger 185 DVX with the OX66 150 on it and after 13 years the compression is still dead on and absolutely zero issues. No problems with mine in the cold it fires up within seconds. I do continually run ring free in mine as well. If that boat has the OX66 jump on it...great motor!!