Official ask Jim...Mercury questions thread.

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Brian, the serial number is on the swivel bracket { the piece the trims up and down that the shaft that turns left and right turns rides in.} usually on the stb. side.. It will be on a tab about the size of your thumb. example OB177648..

I *have everything but spark plugs in stock for your engine. I just want to be sure I have whats needed here when you arrive.

[11tonytiger]

Jim ,I have a 200 1996 Mercury EFI that the voltage meter surges to 16+ volts and the motor quits upon plane.I assume it is a voltage regulator problem , what is involved in replacing it ? Also should I be concerned about ethonal in gas ? I do put Stabil marine in at every fill up but am thinking that during the winter of sitting I should drain the gas...Any thoughts ?

I PM'd you my serial #

Thanks, T

[procraft375]

Jim, should I worry about my water pressure guage freezing during really cold temps? If yes, what should I do to prevent this from happening? Thanks, John

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Jim, should I worry about my water pressure gauge freezing?

No.

However it is best to trim an outbound in, straight in up and down over the lay up when freezing weather occurs.. That will allow all the water to drain from the engine.

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

I PM'd you my serial #

Thanks, * T

And returned. *

Plus, Take a look at them to see if any of the yellow wires or connectors look burnt.

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

I have been getting questions by pm's.

Mercruiser and Mariner questions are welcome here as well.

It's all good.

[Fishless-N-Austin]

I have searched my manual high and low, but cant find the correct compression #'s for a 2001 XR6. Does 100-106 sound right?

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Many newer engines I check are in the 110 115 range.. There can be *variation from gauge to gauge and temp. Is it your engine? I would not be concerned if the are *they all with in a 5 lb variation?

I just went looking for specs. I haven't found the numbers for your engine yet. On the 3.0 liter engines starting model year 2002 the Mercury manual states 90-110 with variation not to exceed 15 lbs.

[Fishless-N-Austin]

Yeah, it is my engine. Seems like I read somewhere about the 5lb variation as well.

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Has the engine lost rpm's. If it hadn't don't worry about the numbers.

If one is notably lower than the others or you overheated it then there would be cause to investigate further.

Some shops are strong believers in Power tune. It cleans the build up of crud in the engine. If you choose to try that follow the directions on the can carefully. Personally I am a bit skeptical that it helps every situation.. I found it was only recognizably useful in older carb engines where the exhaust ports would build up with deposits and restrict engine rpm's.. *