Q&A for How to Maintain an Outboard Motor

I would say you have a fuel delivery issue. You may need to clean the petrol tank, check the fuel line, and pump. Also, check your carburetors; there may be air getting in somewhere it shouldn't through a gasket or seal. It's a process of elimination, but I'd check the fuel delivery first.

You don't. 2-stroke engines use oil mixed into the petrol.

There may be a safety catch holding it up. On Mercury outboards, they are usually on the left side by where it pivots. There may be a knob to turn to release the safety catch (trim the motor all the way up to relieve pressure off the catch).

Two strokes don't use engine oil. Two stroke oil is mixed with fuel in the specified ratio.

Check the voltage output on your battery before starting the motor, and again afterwards. A 12 VDC battery will normally read around 12.5 volts before starting. After starting, the voltage should increase to 13.5 VDC or 14.0 VDC if the generator or alternator is operating properly.

You need a low viscosity = 0 -30 engine oil. Any of the good quality fully synthetic vehicle oils would be fine, but there are special marine oils which are applicable to sea water use. You do not mention is the oil is engine or gear oil. If it is gearbox oil you are changing (yes gear box oil does need changing) in a vehicle every 30000 miles is good and necessary. Due to the low temps you experience, a low viscosity oil would be essential, assuming you have a 4 stroke engine.

Some newer engines already have a meter installed, but if yours doesn't, then you can install one yourself or just keep a log. To calculate how many hours is on the motor now, all you can do is just come up with an average estimate based upon how many times you think you've taken it out on the water per week, month, or year.

Shut it down. Damage will result if you operate the motor without cooling water. If you're stranded, call for help. You'll probably need to flush with fresh water and install a new impeller.

Buy a decent manual and see the specifications sheet for the spark plug gap. There will also be information on how to change the plugs and what torque should be applied. Use a torque wrench, as most outboards are made of aluminum alloy. Don't strip out the spark plug mounting hole.

Double check your RPMs, chances are your idle while it's not under a load is fine but putting it under a load causes it to stall. I would increase your idle so it idles high, put it in gear then drop the idle to where it's not trying to stall and put it back in neutral.

Double check your spark plug gaps and make sure they're firing. Beyond that, it's most likely your coil packs or power pack. I would bring it into a certified mechanic to test it all.

Yes, this is not because the transom oil wears out so quickly but because it's an easy way to ensure you have a good seal on the lower unit. If it comes out milky at all, your seals have gone bad and you have water getting in, which could freeze during the winter.

Contact Mercury, they should have the old owners manuals online for you. The other thing to do is talk to an engine mechanic, maybe from a mom and pop operation and not a corporate one, they should be willing to walk you through it.

I have heard this answer go both ways. I know people who leave it down with no issues but, make sure your lower unit is sealed properly, as the likelihood of water seeping into the gear oil increases. Otherwise, bring it up, it's a little more stress on your transom to leave it up without a support though.

You won't, you'll need to replace that oil. First, drain the oil, then replace the seals, and add new oil. If you're getting water into the oil, I'm assuming lower unit, then your seals have gone out.

The good news is that outboard manufacturers are aware of the risk of freezing, and have designed outboard motors to be self-draining when left on land in the normal upright position (attached to the boat, trimmed down to its normal running position). If the motor cannot be left in the normal upright position and allowed to drain (as stated above), then it is wise to bring the motor on land and to use a set of muffs (a clamp assembly with rubber cups that cover the water intake to the motor's lower unit), run the motor and inject anti-freeze (non-toxic "pink" propylene glycol) into the muffs till you see this pink fluid exiting from the motor's exhaust.