Mercury 15hp question

[IrieCat]

I just had a new motor delivered for my dinghy. My question is: does it come with oil in the engine or do I have to add it. I tried to check but it did not look like there was oil on the dip stick but when I looked in the crank case through the oil cap, it looked like there was oil on the parts inside. This seems like a stupid question but I don't know whether too much oil will hurt. Lastly, I would have contacted West Marine but I spent all day trying to figure it out. Thanks!

[David M]

My guess it that it was probably not shipped with oil since it has to be shipped on its side and not upright. A new engine will not have broken in rings or valves and therefore the oil could go to lots of undesirable places during shipment. The residual oil you see was from the testing before it left the factory.

Set your engine in the upright position, as in the same position it is going to be operated, wait an hour or so, and then check the dipstick. If the oil is below the low level on the stick or not showing at all, then you don't have enough.

Also, I am almost certain Mercury Marine has a PDF file of your engine owners manual that you can download from their website. Almost all manufacturing companies do this now.

Mercury Marine

[Therapy]

Ummmm.
You might want to crack the manual that came with it just a tiny little bit.

But if not...............if it has a dip stick then it needs oil to the proper level.

But then you will have to open the manual to see what kind of oil.

Either way you are stuck with opening the manual.

[Whimsical]

Just leave it standing upright for half an hour then check the oil level. Add some if needed.

Mike

Edit: 3 people typing at the same time

[44'cruisingcat]

Did you get an owner's manual with the motor? Follow the procedure for checking the oil level - if there isn't any showing on the dipstick then you'll need to add some. Remember, if it's a new engine, the oil might be quite hard to see on the dipstick.

[44'cruisingcat]

Looks like we have consensus : check the manual.

[IrieCat]

Thanks for all the helpful replies. For the smart ass, get a life. The manual does not address the motor having oil at delivery and it's too clear to see on the dip stick. That's a lot of post for someone with no boat!

[AnchorageGuy]

A smartass would check the oil, a dumbass would ask if they should.

[David M]

Originally Posted by IrieCat

Thanks for all the helpful replies. For the smart ass, get a life. The manual does not address the motor having oil at delivery and it's too clear to see on the dip stick. That's a lot of post for someone with no boat!

Who are you addressing? That was not my take on anyone who tried to help you.

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by IrieCat

Thanks for all the helpful replies. For the smart ass, get a life. The manual does not address the motor having oil at delivery and it's too clear to see on the dip stick. That's a lot of post for someone with no boat!

Who the F*** are you talking about? From what I'veread all you get were essentially helpful replies.

[windsweptms]

You should check the lower unit,or foot as well.

[Ex-Calif]

He was probably slamming Theray's jibe to RTFM - Which as we know is "read the effing manual." Still it's pretty bad form to bite the hand that feeds.

I will guarantee the OP that the manual addresses getting the thing out of the box, getting it set up and getting it started. There should be 7-12 pages telling you how dangerous outboard motors are, how dangerous water is, how dangerous dinghy's are and the fact that if "anything" goes wrong it's not Mercury's fault.

The after that it will have a half page with 5 easy steps to starting your motor.

Oh and yes - too much oil can be a bad thing. So RTFM.

[Jackstee]

My New motor say's, SHIPPED WITHOUT OIL

That about say's it all

Steve

[rleslie]

FYI

Lubrication System Wet sump
Recommended Oil Mercury 4-Stroke Outboard Oil
Oil Capacity 1.0 L / 1.1 Qt.

I have never heard of a motor being shipped with oil. Remove the drain plug to see. The most that you will loose is 1.1 quarts.