Mercury 20hp - oil level operating range

[Tonus]

Hi there - I've just installed a new Mercury 4-stroke 20hp on my SIB. I'm completely new to this and so have been working through the outboard's manual.


I'd heard from the dealer and from watching a few videos that initially you need to put most of the (1 litre) of oil, run it idle for 5mins with the flushing hose attached and then check the oil again.


The manual says to add 200ml at a time if the oil level reading is low and reat the above but I was under the impression that when the dealer sent me the engine they'd drained the oil and fuel.


So I put in about 850ml of oil and now the dipstick is reading a little ABOVE the oil level operating range... I'm worried that if I start it I could screw things up - like I said I'm brand new to this - can anyone advise if starting it is

1. Safe to start

2. Going to give a more true reading if I run it

3. I shouldn't start the engine and I need to drain some of the oil or something?


When I say say a little above I mean 5mm above the top hole on the dipstick.



Many thanks!

[Fenlander]

With a capacity from dry of 1.0lit I'm not surprised that a quick drain for transport has left around 200ml in.

Starting 5mm over will be fine. Do that and then recheck when it's settled again for a true reading.

[Fenlander]

The workshop manual spec is at a midpoint between the upper and lower marks. So if it is still high after running/re-checking drain a little out if it worries you.

[Tonus]

Thanks for getting back! That's a relief... I'll start her up and re-check.


Cheers


T

[Tonus]

Just below Fenlander - thanks for the advice - again!

[Fenlander]

Result!