1989 or 1990 Mercury 115hp outboard motor--need help with year

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yosuthnmasa

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Jul 27, 2006
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Recently bought Sea Ray Bowrider with a 115hp Mercury outboard motor. Title says it was manufactured in 1989 but is a 1990 model. I'm trying to get a hold of a manual i can use to help me do some work on it with. The range of years for the manual seem to pivot at 1989/1990. Before I buy a manual I want to make sure I get the year right. The serial number for the boat is OC265638. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Any advice on the type of manual to get too? I need something for troubleshooting, maintenance, and repairs(i.e. my tilt and trim is working correctly).
 
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yosuthnmasa

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Re: 1989 or 1990 Mercury 115hp outboard motor--need help with year

So its not an '89? I'm pretty sure the title says its was built in 89 but is a 1990 model.

So its an '89 if between C100000 and C221500 (according to your link)? And '90 if after C221500?
 
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LoneGunman

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Re: 1989 or 1990 Mercury 115hp outboard motor--need help with year

yosuthnmasa said:
So its not an '89? I'm pretty sure the title says its was built in 89 but is a 1990 model.

So its an '89 if between C100000 and C221500 (according to your link)? And '90 if after C221500?
Click to expand...

Thats the way Im reading it, like I said I'm a rookie when it comes to OB's.
 
J

jpollman

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Re: 1989 or 1990 Mercury 115hp outboard motor--need help with year

I just picked up a factory Merc service manual on ebay for $29 shipped! It was quite a deal. The thing is like new and it beats the heck out of a Seloc. I just bought a Seloc manual about six weeks ago and I've already found at least three errors in it. It was a complete waste of money IMO.

The factory manual that I got is Part #90-13645--2 695 (that's the number on the lower right corner of the cover) On the binding it says:

Mercury/Mariner
70, 75, 80, 90, 100, 115
1987 thru 1993

So whether your mill is an '89 or '90 you should be good to go if you get this manual. This manual is awesome and blows away the aftermarket Seloc or Chiltons.

Right on the cover is lists the S/N's that it covers and your S/N is right in between the ones it lists for a 115 so I'm sure this manual will be a big help to you.

Good luck!

John
 
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jpollman

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Re: 1989 or 1990 Mercury 115hp outboard motor--need help with year

Hey good news!

I just went to ebay and did a search. There's another manual that is the same one I just got on auction right now. It's not quite in as good of condition as mine. But it looks like it's just got some dirty fingerprints and such on the cover but it's the exact same manual as mine. It's currently only got one bid of $14.99 and the shipping is only $6.95. The auction closes on August 11th so you've got some time to check it out. I've checked with Merc and the price they charge for factory manuals is $71.45 for this manual!

I did a search for:

Mercury outboard service manual 90

Good luck if you decide to bid!

John
 
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yosuthnmasa

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Re: 1989 or 1990 Mercury 115hp outboard motor--need help with year

Thanks a ton guys! So 1990 it is. Guess they can make them in '89 and call them a '90. So dont go with the seloc? I really want a manual that can help me do some repairs and maintenace and be very descriptive. I'll do a search on ebay like you mentioned.

The boat I have sat up for 3 years. Never got cranked or anything. Spent about a half hour on it and got the motor running. I haven't cleaned or done anything at all. The only thing I'm having a problem with is the tilt/trim. It will "click", but won't move. A friend of mine said he had a similar problem, and his was out of fluid. After he added the fluid, it worked just fine. Can you use a subsitute fluid like brake fluid(Dot3) in the Tilt/Trim system. Or should I just go ahead and buy the real stuff? With a motor like I've got that has sat up for so long, what maintenance things would one recommend when trying to get this O.B. back in shape? For starters, I'm thinking about repalcing the plugs, drain and clean fuel tank, replace inline fuel filters. Any recommendations that could get me on track would be great.

Thanks again guys! I'll have to post a picture soon.
 
J

jpollman

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Mar 8, 2003
Messages
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Re: 1989 or 1990 Mercury 115hp outboard motor--need help with year

Mercury/Mariner are basically the same engine and are outboards. Mercruiser is an I/O (Inboard/Outboard).

John
 
Texasmark

Texasmark

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Dec 20, 2005
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Re: 1989 or 1990 Mercury 115hp outboard motor--need help with year

Lots of things are manufactured before the advertised model year. Nothing new. Like when the model year starts, they have to have product to sell. Soooooo you gotta make it ahead of time. 8)

Mark
 
Plainsman

Plainsman

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Re: 1989 or 1990 Mercury 115hp outboard motor--need help with year

Get a the impeller changed as well. For the tick...tick with the t/t, like your friend said, add fluid. MIne uses 20w motor oil.
Manual part # 90-13645-2
 
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