Mercury 115HP Questions (1999)

[Mscanon99]

Hi All,

New owner of a 1999 Sea Ray 180 DC with Mercury 115hp outboard. Took her out for the maiden voyage yesterday and have a few quick questions.

1. Starting - I need to push in throttle button and the advance the throttle to start the engine, I guess this is normal?

Idle settings - Once started, I bring the throttle back to neutral, stalled once or twice when doing this and stalled a few times when putting her into gear. This stalling was about 10% of the time when starting/putting into gear.

I am guessing I need to adjust the idle setting in the water, is this something a novice can do?

2. I hit about 4800 RPM at WOT, spedo on the boat said about 37-38 mph. This was with 3 adults/2 kids. Sound normal? I thought that I would be able to push abover 5000 rpm, I was being consious not to, but then realized I couldn't anyway.

3. Best place for a manual?

4. What about Progressive Insurance, any comments?

Thanks guys.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Mercury 115HP Questions (1999)

If you want to work on it, get a manual.

You can adjust idle at any time, but it's worth the while to go through the link and sync procedure to be sure everything is timed and sequenced as designed before you adjust things.

You won't hurt that engine at anything under 6000 rpm for short periods. It would rather run freely, and slightly overreved than lugged.

It's normal to have to both choke the engine and use the fast idle lever to start it. It should warm up within 30 seconds or so, though.

hope it helps
John

 

[MercGuy]

Re: Mercury 115HP Questions (1999)

Recommended RPM at WOT for your engine is 4750 to 5250.

I would recommend propping towards the upper end of that range.

I have read on this forum that it's not wise to run this engine much over 5250 RPM, but I have no factual knowlege to support that.

Hope you like your new toy...