Mercury 50hp 4 stroke.....

[<Jimmy4>]

hi, i need some advice. in Sept. of 03 i bought this motor which is an 01. i have 12hrs on the motor. it is burning oil and i can smell it.
i was told to use it until i get 20hrs, and the rings should seat and the motor should be fine.
i noticed that i have lost power also.
has mercury had a problem with 2001 50hp 4 stroke motors?

[<SkeeterFin>]

Have you checkd the oil in the crankcase ? Looking for the smell of gas ? There were some that I heard ,where the crankcase oil was being diluted with fuel ,because the rings didn't seat in the cylinders.
Something to do with wrong temp thermostat.