Newbie questions about 20HP merc 200

[dbensen]

Hi. I am new to boating, and outboard motors. I have picked up a mid 70's 2 stroke Mercury 200 20HP outboard. I've only started it once in the backyard, and it seemed to run fine. My questions are---<br /><br />1)What is the correct fuel/oil mix for this motor?<br /><br />2)Should the kill botton quickly kill the motor? It seems like it slows it down, but i didn't hold it down long enough to find out if it will kill it. I ended up pulling the fuel line at the tank to kill it--is the proper way to run it dry.<br /><br />Any help would be great, just trying to get prepared to get this thing in the water. Thanks!!

 

[joblo33]

Re: Newbie questions about 20HP merc 200

Welcome to the forums! <br />The fuel/oil mix is 50/1.<br />The kill switch should only take a second to kill it. There are two leads on the back of the kill switch, orange and black. Make sure black is well grounded to the engine and that orange goes up to just below the flywheel on the back side. It should be screwed onto a plate there along with two other wires. When you press the kill switch there should be continuity between the orange lead and the black lead.<br />Good Luck! They're great engines.<br />Eric

 

[dbensen]

Re: Newbie questions about 20HP merc 200

Great. Thanks for the info...will have a look at the kill switch issue and will most likely be back with a whole new set of questions! Thanks again.

 

[Motor Boater Bill]

Re: Newbie questions about 20HP merc 200

You can find some info and available parts, manuals, parts lists, here:<br /><br /> http://www.oldmercs.com/ <br /><br />Give us your serial number and we can help a lot more, determine the exact year, and point you to more resources. I have a 1976 Merc 200 and have dug up a lot of online resources I'm happy to share.<br /><br />Watch out for crumbling insulation, a known problem with mid-70's Mercs. My kill swich wire was shorting to ground when I got it and would not start until I disconnected it at the terminal block--I was able to splice on new wire and fix it. Good luck!

 

[Motor Boater Bill]

Re: Newbie questions about 20HP merc 200

One more thing--you can also kill the motor by pulling on the choke, which should kill it more quickly than disconnecting the fuel line, but will be harder to re-start since you just flooded it. <br /><br />I always disconnect the fuel and run mine dry when it is going to sit for a while so the carb doesn't gum up, although others say it is better to use stabilizer in the gas and leave the carb full. But if you don't use stabilizer, definitely run it dry to store it.<br /><br />You should also check the lower unit oil before you do much more, and be sure you are running it in water (trash can is good) and that there is a stream of water coming out to show that the water pump is working. Strong stream of water should come out the starboard side at the bottom of the powerhead. If not, shut down right away, and let us know! Here to help...

 

[dbensen]

Re: Newbie questions about 20HP merc 200

Great advice. Thanks! I'll play around with it this weekend. The lower end has fresh lube and when I fired it up, I kept the muffs on it with the hose...water did stream out of it. I'll be back!