Mercury FourStroke annual service - long procedure ?

[zurk]

Found a for dummies style (although long - goes on for about an hour) video guide for the annual service on merc outboards.
The playlist is here : Mercury Outboard Annual Service Step by Step Guide - YouTube
Just wondering if any of it is wrong or any better/faster methods to do some of the stuff shown. It seems a lot of work for annual service so im wondering if i should just take it to the dealer for $250 or so and have them handle it.

 

[carholme]

Re: Mercury FourStroke annual service - long procedure ?

Why not just go with the service manual and do it yourself, learning something along the way. What is the engine you are referring to and do you have the s/n?

Gerry

 

[zurk]

Re: Mercury FourStroke annual service - long procedure ?

I have a 60HP Mercury FourStroke EFI - this one :
FourStroke 40 - 60 HP | Mercury Marine
Service manual is $85, parts look like theyre about $100 from the video - cheaper to go to the dealer for service ? I dont have many tools.

 

[carholme]

Re: Mercury FourStroke annual service - long procedure ?

Yes but what year or s/n as the parts list etc are obtained with s/ns/year.

Gerry

 

[carholme]

Re: Mercury FourStroke annual service - long procedure ?

I think your manual should be 90-883065 but the s/n would confirm that. Here is the 100 hour/Yearly maintenance as a guide:

Every 100 Hours of Use or Once yearly, Whichever occurs first
1. Lubricate all lubrication points. Lubricate more frequently when used in salt water.
2. Change engine oil and replace the oil filter. The oil should be changed more often when
the engine is operated under adverse conditions such as extended trolling.
3. Inspect thermostat visually for corrosion, broken spring, and to determine that the valve
is completely closed at room temperature. If questionable, inspect thermostat as outlined
in Section 4B “Thermostat”.
4. Inspect and clean spark plugs.
5. Check engine fuel filter for contaminants.
6. Check engine timing setup.
7. Check corrosion control anodes. Check more frequently when used in salt water.
8. Drain and replace gear case lubricant.
9. Lubricate splines on the drive shaft.
10. Check and adjust valve clearance, if necessary.
11. Check power trim fluid.
12. Inspect battery.
13. Check control cable adjustments.
14. Inspect timing belt.
15. Remove engine deposits with Quicksilver Power Tune Engine Cleaner.
16. Check tightness of bolts, nuts, and other fasteners.

All things you can do with basic tools and a bit of borrowing.

Gerry

 

[zurk]

Re: Mercury FourStroke annual service - long procedure ?

mine is a 2010. that seems like a lot. will it take an hour like the video ? how long does it take you ?

 

[carholme]

Re: Mercury FourStroke annual service - long procedure ?

That is not a lot and most guys who look after and tinker with their engines would be doing this as a matter of course over the year to one degree or another. Then again, some just run them until there is a problem and that is usually when they scramble to learn or appear here.

Gerry

 

[oldman570]

Re: Mercury FourStroke annual service - long procedure ?

If you take the time and do it yourself, as Gerry stated, you will learn more about how the motor needs to be for good times on the water. You will find that you will get faster in doing the work needed in time. This will also be handy when something goes wrong when your out in B--- F--- Egypt and it is a long way back to the ramp. It is easier to have the dealer do the work, but you will not have him there with you when it comes to paddling to the ramp. JMO
Oldman570