Setting Trim Angle While Running Engine At Idle Speed; Engine Break-In Procedure; Starting The Engine - Mercury 135 OptiMax Manual

Setting Trim Angle While Running Engine at Idle Speed

The exhaust relief hole on the outboard may become submerged if the outboard is trimmed full-in while
running at idle speed. This will cause exhaust restriction, rough idle, excessive smoke, and fouled spark
plugs. If this condition exists, trim the outboard up until the exhaust relief hole is out of the water. The
outboard should be lowered for accelerating from a standing start or from idle speed.

Engine Break-in Procedure

IMPORTANT: Failure to follow the engine break-in procedures can result in poor performance throughout
the life of the engine and can cause engine damage. Always follow break-in procedures.
GASOLINE/OIL BREAK-IN MIXTURE
NOTE: Do not use pre-mixed gas and oil during break-in. Use straight gasoline during engine break-in
and after engine break-in.
The engine break-in procedure for an OptiMax outboard is important to ensure proper performance and
maximum life from the engine. The following break-in procedure allows the internal engine parts to wear-
in evenly. Incorrect engine break-in can shorten the engine life.
The engine automatically receives extra oil during the first hours of operation. For most boaters this extra
oil mode will be complete in about ten hours.
BREAK-IN PROCEDURE
1. For the first hour of operation, allow the engine to warm up for 30-60 seconds.
a. Run the engine at varied throttle settings, the majority of the time between 3000 and 4500
RPM or three-quarter throttle.
b. Change engine speed approximately every two minutes, and avoid continuous operation at
idle speed for more than ten minutes. Short bursts of full throttle for periods up to ten seconds
are acceptable.
c. Avoid trimming the outboard out (up) beyond a vertical trim position during operation.
NOTE: It is the driver's responsibility to always drive in a safe manner. Improper trim angle of the
outboard when driving at speed can be difficult and dangerous. The purpose of specifying trim angle
is to help guide the operator in determining how to put the propel load on the engine. They are intended
to be guidelines and do not suggest or require unsafe boat operation.
2. For the next three hours of operation, change engine speed every ten minutes.

Starting The Engine

Before starting, read the Pre-Starting Check List, Special Operating Instructions, and Engine Break-in
Procedure in the Operation Section.
OPERATION
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