Oil and fuel stabilizers

[huston]

I was at Gander Mountain in Taylor today and Gallons of Quicksilver Premium Plus were $ 23.95 and Sea Foam was $ 7.99. The in store deal was 20 % off  oil and stabilizers. They also had some Quicksilver fuel stabilizer for $2.97 a bottle. It was not Quickleen.

[Puma]

I think you are going to find a lot of Premium Plus going on sale as Mercury changed their requirement for all Opti motors, including the Pro Xs series to recommend using only DFI oil.

[EKennedy]

What about older motors?  I have a Merc 150 1994.  Bought it with boat about 5 years ago.  Stabil every winter...thats' it...never even changed the plugs...starts right up every spring.  Do I really need more than this?  Need to keep her running as best I can...but don't want to waste money if it's not necessary.

Thanks

[huston]

Please consult your owner's manual, or http://www.mercurymarine.com for the BEST recommendations on each of these items!
This list will be updated as additional information is requested- check it regularly for the most current information!
Oil:
-These are the "top recommendations". Refer to your owner's manual for other oil specifications!
-ALL EFI/CARB 3.0L Engines: Mercury or Quicksilver Premium PLUS
-All STANDARD Optimax (75-250): Mercury or Quicksilver DFI/Optimax Oil
-ALL ProXS Models: Optimax/DFI Oil. Mercury or Quicksilver Premium PLUS is acceptable, but Optimax/DFI oil is RECOMMENDED due to a better additive package to help combat carbon deposits.
-ALL Racing/XS Models: PREMIUM PLUS
- (Note..... there was some conflicting information on Merc's Website- follow this recommendation for the latest information as it's released!)
Battery:
-MINIMUM 800CCA or 1000 MCA Capacity. More is better! Use Stainless Steel Lock nuts (don't use wing-nuts).
-IF you have a lot of accessories you are running, KEEP IN MIND that this specification is for the ENGINE CRANKING BATTERY. You may need to INCREASE the battery specification to provide adequate cranking capacity based on your accessories being run!
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(Recommended Batteries after Testing and information courtesy of Mercury Marine Research & Development)
-Odyssey PC1500, PC1700, PC2150 and PC2250.
-Optima Group 31
-West Marine Sea Volt Group 27 AGM.
-Cabela's Advanced Angler ** Group 24 and 27.
-Trolling Thunder TT1175 and TT1370.
-Excide Megacycle (Mercury Brand) MC-31 and XMC-31.
-Sears Die Hard Platinum 34M and 31M.
-Deka Sea Mate 8A27M and 8A31DTM.
** During initial testing, these batteries do not meet their advertised cranking ratings.
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Spark Plugs:
-QL77CC (Champion) for 3 Liter EFI's (.035" 2001 and prior, .040" 2002->)
-IZFR5G@ .032-.033" for Standard Opti's 135-225HP and 200 ProXS
-IZFR5J @.032-.033 for 75-115 Opti's
-IZFR6J for 150, 175 & 225-250 ProXS and Racing XS Motors
-2005 & prior: .032-.033"
-2006 & up: .042-.044" gap for best idle performance. (250 ProXS/XS)
- 250 XS/ProXS can use IZFR6J (gapped to .042") OR IZFR6J-11 (pre-gapped, currently a "factory only" plug)
-2006 & up 225 ProXS: .032" (if idle performance is an issue, can use .040-.044", but usually not necessary).
-175 ProXS: .032-.033
-IZFR7M for 300XS
FUEL:
-All models- MAXIMUM ETHANOL CONTENT: 10%. Ethanol content may adversly affect engine performance.
-See "Mercury's View of Ethanol" on Sherm's board at: http://www.bbcboards.net...14216
-Standard Opti's (ALL) 87 Octane MINIMUM.
-XS, XB or Racing PRIOR to 2006- CONSULT OWNER'S MANUAL! Most require High-Test!
-ProXS and 250XS 2006-later: 87 Octane MINIMUM. Idle quality may improve with 89 Octane (mid-grade).
-300XS- Consult Owner's Manual. High Grade (minimum 91 Octane) fuel required!
Fuel Additive Recommendations:
-Stabilize fuel ANYTIME fuel will not be consumed and replaced within 15 days!!!
-Optis (ALL, including XS & ProXS): Quickleen in EVERY TANK OF FUEL. You CAN combine Mercury QuickCare or QuickStor Fuel System Treatment & Stabilizer (or Sea-Foam if you prefer it) with Quickleen. Use the recommended "dose" of each product per the bottle instructions. For anyone questioning Quickleen recommendation- see Service Bulletin 2001-12 (yes, it's been recommended since 2001!!!).
-Quickleen may be used in ANY Mercury engine- it helps to prevent/remove carbon buildup (primary purpose).
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"Don's Favorite Cocktail" (IMO, this combination results in clean injectors, direct injectors and spark plugs):
-1oz Marine Stabil or Mercury QuickCare per 6 gallons fuel
-1oz Quickleen per 6 gallons fuel
-1-2oz SeaFoam per 6 gallons fuel
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"Mercury Component Cocktail" (Initial testing is indicating that this lends very similar results to the above cocktail):
-1oz Mercury QuickCare per 6 gallons fuel
-1oz Mercury QuickLeen per 6 gallons fuel
(If leaving fuel in boat for more than 30 days, be sure to also add Mercury QuickStor).
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Fuel/Air Pressures (Optimax):
Two different pressure differentials are used:
-75-115 3 cyl. and ALL XS Racing & 225-250 ProXS Motors (And the 250 Optimax) use 94/108 Air/Fuel Pressures (Fuel pressure equals air pressure + 15psi)
-All other "standard" Opti's use 80/90 Air/Fuel Pressures (Fuel pressure equals air pressure + 10psi)
-IF YOU HAVE NO AIR PRESSURE- YOU HAVE LITTLE OR NO FUEL PRESSURE. The fuel pressure is DIRECTLY relative to the AIR PRESSURE! So- if you have low or no fuel pressure, CHECK the air pressure, and check for AIR LEAKS before you start replacing fuel pumps!

[Dan]

The only thing you left out is whether  I should use the air popper or go with the peanut oil for my nightly snack.

[karol]

 what about the du hickey for the discomebobulator?
sometimes the ifurberater won't sicabate with the deferuator, what about that?

[Skulley]

what about the du hickey for the discomebobulator?
sometimes the ifurberater won't sicabate with the deferuator, what about that?

Now you made it all confusing and complicated.................


BD                           

[karol]

 oops, sorry about that. that's what happens after i hit myself in the head with my left handed adjustable metric wrench

                   

[fiker]

i saw no mention of muffler bearings either.