Mercury 115 break in process

[Zachb6]

A week from this Friday I get to go pick up my brand new 2017 Ranger Rt188 with a mercury 115 pro XS and bring it home with me. Now that my money situation for the boat and the date to pick it up is all done i have time to think about other things I must do to the boat to get it ready for its maiden voyage. Aside from registering the boat and trailer and getting a water stamp i thought about the engine and how i have to break it in which i never had to do on my old used boat i just sold. Ive YouTube a couple videos and they do an ok job at explaining them but i want some good quality help from the people on this website. So what recommendations do you have to get a proper break in on this new motor? I have a few questions ive already thought of asking when i actually get the boat but im a planner and wont rest easy till i get some feedback on good engine break in. 

Thanks, Zach 

[BrianinMD]

READ THE MANUAL!!!!

 

You will get a lot of opinions, only one matters. Follow what the manual says exactly. Ignore anyone who says a different breakin process. Failure to follow the manual can void warranty. 

[Avalonjohn44]

I have the same motor from 2016. The break in procedure is simple and laid out in an easy to understand manner in the manual. As long as you follow what it says, you are golden. Good luck, have fun with the new boat!

[Zachb6]

Thanks for that input i kind figured the manual would be the best bet but this is my first brand new boat so its all new to me 

 

[gim]

I second reading the manual.  Mine is a 75 hp, not a 115 but I was in this exact situation last season.  The Mercury Outboard manual does a pretty good job of making it easy to follow.  Wish I could have gotten the RT188 with 115 hp motor myself but it won't fit in my garage.

[Yakalong]

Agreed with has already been posted, exactly what the manual states. Don't go by what others say, they will not warranty your motor. 

[BrianinMD]

My post above is a little blunt because I just did break in for mine earlier this. Also was my first time ever, got multiple responses telling me to do things different than the manual. Fortunately had others who were blunt about following the manual to the letter and why.

[PECo]

I broke in my 2017 Mercury 115 Pro XS four-stroke earlier this year. Like everyone else said, do what the manual says. I have a suggestion, though. Get Mercury's VesselView Mobile for your motor. It's super easy to install and lets you view the most critical engine parameters on your cellphone with an app, including the number of engine hours and RPM, which helps you to stick to the break-in schedule.

 

My motor has the standard gearcase (i.e., not the Command Thrust gearcase), and came equipped with a 20-pitch Lazer II three-blade prop. My 2017 Triton 179 TrX didn't come out of the hole very smoothly with this setup, so I swapped the prop for a 19-pitch Spitfire X7 four-blade prop. With the new prop, holeshot is much better and acceleration is much more linear.

 

My last two boats had Yamaha four-strokes, so I was a little worried about going with a Mercury, but I really love the motor. It's very quiet and easily drives the boat over 45 miles per hour, which is plenty fast for me.

[slonezp]

Your dealer should go over it with you as well as the manual

[Firefish Alumacraft]

I have the same engine, its supper easy to break in. If my memory is still good. its like 10-12min of varying speed fallowed by 1 min of WOT then repeat for 2 hrs.  Then operate normally with no longer WOT for 5min for 10+hrs.   I made a chart of varying speed time time fallowed by the 1min WOT and used a stop watch with lap. after you done it should total to 2hrs.  Read the manual and its very easy.  You should be very happy with the Med 2.1L its a very powerful outboard. 

 

 

[Charley24]

Does the 2 hr initial breakin have to be in one trip to the lake, or cumulative till you hit the 2 hour mark?

[WCWV]

As many have said, follow the manual. I've broke in two Mercury 4-strokes, the last one was the same as yours. 

My first, I ran it for 11 years with absolutely no issues and it never burned a drop of oil, and now I'm on my second 4-stroke and I followed the manual and expect the same.