Breaking in a new merc outboard

[sschefer]

Re: Breaking in a new merc outboard

As long as it is API OR SAE certified you can use any oil you want.Also i have read almost every manual that i have gotten when i sell motors and not one ever mentioned your warranty would be voided if you use synthetic oil.So i think you may want to read up a little more before saying it's a dumb question.

Well O.K., have it your way.

 

[boater1234]

Re: Breaking in a new merc outboard

I will just follow it by the book.You misunderstood me jim on the wot part.I would not go wot from spot to spot on the breakin i was refering to making oil and i would be able to burn off any moisture in the oil after breakin going wot as the engine temp will be were it needs to be.I know you are not suppose to go wot on the breakin until the third hr of operation,if im not mistaken you can go wot for no longer then 5min at a time but i will read the manual.

 

[boater1234]

Re: Breaking in a new merc outboard

I found tohatsu's breakin which is the same for most small outboards.

1-10 minutes idle
10 minutes-2hrs less then half throttle or aprx 3000 rpm max
2-3hrs less then 3/4 throttle-full throttle run allowed for 1 minute every 10 minutes
3-10 3/4 aprx 4000rpm full throttle run allowed for 2 minutes every 10 minutes
After 10hrs full throttle available

Also i wanted to know should i breakin my motor with the boat loaded down as much as possible or should i just go as normal with just me in the boat and no gear or extra weight?

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Breaking in a new merc outboard

Synthetic oil is not bad for the engine. Synthetic oil in an outboard, under most conditions, is not cost effective and contributes to fuel dilution into the oil. I like synth oil, its just foolish to use it in an outboard. Think about why you would use synthetic oil in any engine in the first place...It's because its a better lubricant as it reduces engine wear by reducing friction. You can also go longer between oil changes as it does not break down as quickly. Now think about those two things and your outboard. Friction, in an outboard, is your friend. It enables you to reach operating temperature so fuel doesn't blow by those cold rings and get dumped into the crankcase oil. Unlike a car engine, your outboard oil will never get dirty as you do not get the same kind or amount of contaminants that land based engines are subject to. Instead you get water and fuel contamination which necessitates frequent oil changes which negates any benefit of using synthetic oil.

So, its not that synthetic oil is bad...It's because its too good that's the problem. Some people, mostly people who run balls to the wall 99% of the time, can get away with synthetic oil without seeing the dilution and having extended oil change intervals. Most people can't. Most people don't know that they are throwing money away. Don't be most people. Be wise people Any FCW 10w30 is perfect for your application and that engine.

 

[boater1234]

Re: Breaking in a new merc outboard

Well i guess if i wanted to i could use full synthetic oil as i'm in that group that usually goes balls to the wall as i usually go wot over 80%-90% of the time,but it is not needed as you state.I very rarely ever idle except when leaving the boat ramp and going through a canal to get to the gulf,after that it's flat out wot alomst everytime.Well i guess i could use good old merc oil from walmart.It's only $6 a quart,the green label oil.That should be all i need then right?That oil should be as good as any i would guess.I want to at least use a fcw rated oil.I figure if i changed my oil 2-4times a yr it would run me no more then $24 a yr if i went with 4 oil changes.I figured to be on the safe side i would do at least 3 changes a yr.One every 4mths.That should keep the motor nice and happy.One more thing,will it make a difference what weight oil i use in fl?I know merc offers 10w 30 and i think 25w 40,what would be the difference and is one better to use then the other?Thanks for the info TG.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Breaking in a new merc outboard

That's the idea. You don't need to over worry about this stuff

 

[boater1234]

Re: Breaking in a new merc outboard

Man i'm starting to get anxious.I hope this motor comes in soon.It should be tomorrow or monday the latest he said.I guess for the price i paid i can't get upset.I'm like so ready to break this motor in.Also i decided to keep the 15hp 2stroke merc and just use it as a winter motor because it's lighter and the tides are so shallow,this motor will work much better in those really low tides.The 20 weighs about 45lbs more so it would come into play.In the summer the tides are really high here in fl.I'm going to try and find a nice little 12 to 14' jon boat to put the 15 on and use that for the winter and the bigger boat for the summer.I may just go out and by a new 12ft alumacraft i found for $700 and a new cheap trailer for $600 and throw the motor on that also.I go out by myself in the winter so a 12' boat is plenty.Well i will let everyone know when i get this motor.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Breaking in a new merc outboard

You should really find a way to test out a 12foot boat before you buy one. I'm not saying why, you'll have to find out for yourself. I have one for sale in perfect condition, let's put it that way.
Good luck with your new engine, and don't get your hopes up. SOmething you are really looking forward to rarely comes in when you expect it. I hope yours does, though.
JBJ

 

[boater1234]

Re: Breaking in a new merc outboard

I have 2 mercs jb.I have a brand new 20hp 4stroke that is bought already and it should be in any day.That 20 is going on my 1442 alumacraft boat that is brand new also.The 15hp 2stroke merc is what i have already and it is going on a new 1436ft alumacraft i decided.I can get the 14 for $100 more dollars then the 12ft.The 1436 boat is rated for a 15hp motor,the 1442 is rated for a 25hp.I have had a 15hp on a 12ft alumacraft and it went just fine.What would i need to worry about you got me confused.The 20hp merc will more then likely be ok on a flat bottom boat.I have already excepted it will not have the same get up and go as the 15hp 2stroke merc i have but the 20hp also has 5more hp that will give it that extra emmmph.

I am going to use the smaller boat for the winter mths as it will be much lighter then the other boat so it won't need as much water to get up and go.Also during the winter i will be fishing myself so i will have the whole boat to myself.I want a nice easy boat i can get out of just in case i decide to wade and i may need to pull the boat over sand were the tide is to low,so the lighter the rig the easier it will be to pull.During the summer mths i will never have that problem as the tides run way higher so the boat has more water to get up and go in.Plus one is a wide open boat with no center seat so the whole family+coolers can fit.The little boat will be with the center seat.


I have watched a ton of videos on the 20hp 4stroke merc/tohatsu[same motor] and it seems to be a real powerhouse and have no problems getting any boat on plane.But we will see.Plus i can play around with a bunch of props if i want to get it right.It comes with a 9.8pitch prop which may be actually to small,i may have to go to a 10.5 or 11 pitch possibely.As long as the 20hp doesn't over rev it will be ok.I think a 10.5 would be just right after i break it in.I always wanted a 4stroke that was brand new out of the box,so i will get my wish.Also if it is that dissapointing which i don't think it will i can just sell it for what i paid or maybe more as i got a sick deal on it.So i have nothing to loose by just trying it out.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Breaking in a new merc outboard

The 14' 36" boat is a great boat. A 12 foot boat squats in the back, is hard to break over on plane, has no room for ice chests and tackle, and doesn't go as fast as one would expect a lighter boat to go. My 12 footer is 38" wide on the bottom and has high sides, rated for a 20hp motor. I don't like it for the above reasons. I would love to trade it for a 14'36" boat. I'm probably going to put one of my 18hp motors on it and sell it. Obviously somebody likes 12 foot boats or they wouldn't sell them, but I hate mine. Since everyone should like what I do, I just couldn't see anyone being satisfied with a 12 footer.
JBJ

 

[boater1234]

Re: Breaking in a new merc outboard

Yes i understand what your saying the smaller boats have less to plane with so it may actually be harder for them to get up on plane.I was told by a fellow a while back the wider the boat the faster it will plane and i didn't really understand that concept as i thought a lighter boat would go better.That is not the case with most jon boats,it seems like the wider they are the better they plane.But the 15hp 2stroke would be just right for either boat,of course i think it would go better on the wider boat but i want a 4stroke.I will see what happens with the 20hp first as if it's just a flat out dog i will get rid of the 20hp[but it must be really bad for me to can it].If it does its job and gets me and the wife and kid on plane after being fully broken in thats all i can ask for.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Breaking in a new merc outboard

When we went from our 15ft Lonestar utility to an 18ft Crestliner utility with a our 25 Gale
The 18 planed faster, ran faster both empty and loaded with 5 adults.And with a 2 ski start you could slolom if you weren't too fussy.
By the way the 15ho and the 25 and 30 Etec DI 2 strokes have no breakin and can't make oil
and no valve adjustments or oil changes.They are a little heavy at 147lbs and up depending on
equipment.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Breaking in a new merc outboard

Man i'm starting to get anxious.I hope this motor comes in soon.It should be tomorrow or monday the latest he said.I guess for the price i paid i can't get upset.I'm like so ready to break this motor in.

So, what happened to the 25 HP 2-stroke Yamaha that you were raving about a few weeks ago? Deal fall through? I bet the Yami would blow the doors off the 20 4-stroke, plus the cost of ownership would have been pretty sweet too.

Do you have the tools, manuals and training to adjust the valves and such on a 4-stroke?

 

[boater1234]

Re: Breaking in a new merc outboard

The yamaha fell through,i wanted a manual start and all they had was a electric start that was close to $400 more.I don't need the electric start.The non electric yamaha was only $2900+tax so i was gonna jump all over it.I got the 20hp merc for $2283+tax which to TG is highway robbery.There was not one dealer who could touch that price and i had a few down right tell me i was a lier at that price.I thought it was $2250 but he made it $2283 which is no big deal,it was $2443 with tax.The closest was online outboards at $2750 so i called them up and i told him what i was getting it for and he said you better jump all over that or you would be crazy not to do it.So i saved close to $1000 over buying the yamaha+i got 3yrs more warranty just for kicks.How could i turn a deal down like that.I can't even get a 20hp tohatsu for that price.


I'm sure the yamaha will blow the 20hp 4stroke away as it should it is a whole different motor then a 4stroke.But i will tell you one thing i bet the 15hp 2stroke merc will give it a run for it's money.I watched 2 boats race on youtube,one was a 15hp super merc which is really a 18hp tohatsu vs a 25hp yamaha and the merc beat it out right.Yes it was 2 different boats but the guy running the 25hp yamaha was just in shock to see the merc fly by him,the merc is a very powerful motor for it's size.I'm not sure if tohatsu made the 15hp usa model but if they did i have a winner of a motor.

The speed difference from a 25hp yamaha to a 15hp 2stroke merc is very small.You would think it's not even close but that is not the case.The 14ft jon boats on youtube i have seen with the merc 15hp do close to 25 to 30mph with hand held gps.The 25hp was close to the same area.I'm sure the 25 is faster and more powerful but for the money i will take the 15 over the 25 anyday of the week.There is alot of things merc did right and the 15 was one of them.Both motors are built very well 25 yamaha,15hp merc and will serve anyone well.

 

[boater1234]

Re: Breaking in a new merc outboard

Nice i got my merc today and shes pretty.I am going to set her up tomorrow on my boat and start breaking her in.Man what a deal,motor,gas tank,gas line,tool kit,breakin oil,manual,extra plugs,and extra pull rope,plus a 5yr warranty for $2455.Not to shabby i would think.