Mariner 15 stiff steering

[simonafloat]

Hi all

Out in the boat yesterday the tiller steering felt a little stiff. I went to adjust it, there is a red lever for tightening of loosening the steering, but found that it's already on the loosest setting. Any suggestions? It's a 2006 long shaft 2stroke. Is there another adjustment or a grease point?

Cheers

Simon

[jeffstevens763@g]

Should be a top and bottom grease nipple Simon the old grease could have gone hard too give it a good wash round with petrol to get rid of the old stuff on the surface then pump in new grease till it comes out top and bottom and keep working it hopefully it's not a strip down and it frees off then keep an eye on it and grease regular

[simonafloat]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

Should be a top and bottom grease nipple Simon the old grease could have gone hard too give it a good wash round with petrol to get rid of the old stuff on the surface then pump in new grease till it comes out top and bottom and keep working it hopefully it's not a strip down and it frees off then keep an eye on it and grease regular

Thanks Jeff! Don't suppose you know what sort of grease to use?

[jyasaki]

Any water resistant marine grease will be fine.

jky

[jeffstevens763@g]

Use yam lube good stuff mate and as jky has said

[uncle al]

why not undo the nut that holds the friction devise, just less than one eight of a turn the max

[simonafloat]

Thanks for all your advice! I borrowed a grease gun and pumped the steering full of grease, its fine now. I also greased the tilt mechanism.

My next question: I want to change the oil on the lower unit. Is one of the smaller tubes of oil on eBay enough? The quicksilver ones that cone with two replacement washers.

Thanks

Simon

[Fenlander]

Do you mean what I call a standard small squeezable tube? They are 8oz/237ml so will be fine as the Mariner gearcase on models up to 15hp hold 200ml so you have a little over for spillage etc.

Last time I changed the oil in my Mercury 15 I bought two tubes in case the capacity was a bit over that stated but I have a complete tube spare plus a little left in the other.

You know about filling upwards from the drain plug I assume?

[simonafloat]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Do you mean what I call a standard small squeezable tube? They are 8oz/237ml so will be fine as the Mariner gearcase on models up to 15hp hold 200ml so you have a little over for spillage etc.

Last time I changed the oil in my Mercury 15 I bought two tubes in case the capacity was a bit over that stated but I have a complete tube spare plus a little left in the other.

You know about filling upwards from the drain plug I assume?

.. Yeah I know how to do it, I have a smaller mariner 2 stroke that I have oil changed many times. Just wasn't sure how much the 15 took. Ideal, thanks for the advice.

[simonafloat]

Originally Posted by simonafloat

.. Yeah I know how to do it, I have a smaller mariner 2 stroke that I have oil changed many times. Just wasn't sure how much the 15 took. Ideal, thanks for the advice.

Ok so I changed the oil no problems. However, what came out looked a little milky which I guess would indicate a failed seal? I will drain the oil this winter and check it again but could anyone advise on how to change the seal on this outboard? Many thanks!

[Fenlander]

Well it might just have been the seals on the filler/drain plugs. I'd run it a few more times and then see how it looks. Personally I've not had a main seal go in any sub 25hp engine even when 25yrs old.