I?m aware that Mercury Service Manuals are written for trained Certified Mechanics and do not contain complete detailed instructions for every step it takes to do a repair. I also understand that it does take a person with a mechanical aptitude and experience to become a trained Certified Mechanic. My Hat is off to those Mechanics.
As for those of us who want to learn and do our own maintenance & repairs, we should be aware of the above. Also, we need to be made aware of discrepancies that are in the different Mercury manuals.
Case In Point: I?ve discovered two different procedures for refilling an outdrive unit that has a gear lube monitor bottle mounted on the engine. The two manuals, which I have for my boat, are the Sterndrive Manual #14 and the Mercury Owner?s Manual which should come with all new boat purchases.
The procedure in the owner?s manual states: ?Pump the gear lube in until an air-free stream flows from the vent hole, then install & torque the oil vent screw & washer. Continue pumping until gear lube appears in the lube monitor, then fill monitor up to the Full mark?.
The procedure in Manual #14 states: ?Pump the gear lube in until it is even with the bottom of the vent hole, then install oil vent screw & washer snugly, but do not torque. Remove pump and quickly install & torque drain/fill screw & washer. Now remove vent screw & washer and start filling the gear lube monitor. When oil starts to run out the vent hole, then re-install & torque vent screw & washer. Continue filling monitor up to the Full mark.
Now whether these two procedures can be interpreted as a discrepancy is not the point I?m trying to make. My point is, there are differences and that the un-trained person can & does get confussed when trying to read and follow the manuals. Trained Mechanics are trained by mechanics to know the proper procedures and the manuals go through many checks for editorial discrepancies, but still can contain errors. So be aware & ask questions when you're unsure before making repairs.
As for those of us who want to learn and do our own maintenance & repairs, we should be aware of the above. Also, we need to be made aware of discrepancies that are in the different Mercury manuals.
Case In Point: I?ve discovered two different procedures for refilling an outdrive unit that has a gear lube monitor bottle mounted on the engine. The two manuals, which I have for my boat, are the Sterndrive Manual #14 and the Mercury Owner?s Manual which should come with all new boat purchases.
The procedure in the owner?s manual states: ?Pump the gear lube in until an air-free stream flows from the vent hole, then install & torque the oil vent screw & washer. Continue pumping until gear lube appears in the lube monitor, then fill monitor up to the Full mark?.
The procedure in Manual #14 states: ?Pump the gear lube in until it is even with the bottom of the vent hole, then install oil vent screw & washer snugly, but do not torque. Remove pump and quickly install & torque drain/fill screw & washer. Now remove vent screw & washer and start filling the gear lube monitor. When oil starts to run out the vent hole, then re-install & torque vent screw & washer. Continue filling monitor up to the Full mark.
Now whether these two procedures can be interpreted as a discrepancy is not the point I?m trying to make. My point is, there are differences and that the un-trained person can & does get confussed when trying to read and follow the manuals. Trained Mechanics are trained by mechanics to know the proper procedures and the manuals go through many checks for editorial discrepancies, but still can contain errors. So be aware & ask questions when you're unsure before making repairs.
