Recommended Break-In Procedure; Fuel Requirements; Initiating Engine Break-In Sequence (Priming Oil Pump); Engine Break-In Procedure (All Models) - Mercury 200 OptiMax Jet Drive Service Manual

Step 1: First 40 minutes - Keep the boat on the trailer. Place the boat and trailer in water that is deep enough to submerge
the water intake grate. Keep the bow attached and tight to the trailer, but remove or loosen the rear straps to allow the
boat to float at the rear. Run the engine at the listed run time and at the RPM speed.
First 10 minutes
Next 10 minutes
Next 5 minutes
Next 5 minutes
Next 5 minutes
Next 5 minutes
Step 2: Next 14 minutes - Remove the boat from the trailer and run on the water. The run times for the first four wide-open
throttle encounters is very critical. Keep the run time within the given range. Run the engine at the listed run time and
RPM speed.
First 10 seconds ± 3 seconds
Next 20 seconds
Next 20 seconds ± 3 seconds
Next 40 seconds
Next 30 seconds ± 3 seconds
Next 1½ minutes
Next 45 seconds ± 3 seconds
Next 1½ minutes
Next 4¼ minutes
NOTE: After this break‑in procedure is completed, the owner should follow the Recommended Break-in Procedure .
Recommended 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.

Fuel Requirements

Do not use premixed gas and oil in this engine. Use straight gasoline during engine break‑in and after engine break‑in. The PCM
is programmed to signal the oil pump to provide additional oil during the first 120 minutes of operation. The PCM monitors this
period through its own internal clock. At the end of this period, the PCM signals the oil pump to go to a standard ratio of 300–400:1
at idle and 60:1 at WOT.
Initiating Engine Break‑in Sequence (Priming Oil Pump)
Refer to Section 3C - Oil Injection for proper procedures.
Engine Break‑in Procedure (All Models)
First Hour:
• Allow engine to warm up for 30–60 seconds.
• Avoid continuous operation at idle speed for more than 10 minutes.
• Operate engine for the majority of time between 3000–5000 RPM; approximately 3/4 throttle.
• Vary engine speed; change engine speed approximately every two minutes.
• Avoid trimming outboard up/out beyond a vertical trim position during operation.
• Short bursts of full throttle for periods up to 10 seconds are acceptable.
Next Three Hours:
• Change engine speed every 10 minutes.
90-8M0050731 MAY 2011
Engine Break-in Procedure
Run Time
Run Time
Engine RPM Speed
2500 RPM
3000 RPM
3500 RPM
4000 RPM
4500 RPM
5000 RPM
Engine RPM Speed
Wide‑open throttle 5600 RPM
3500 RPM
Wide–open throttle 5600 RPM
3500–4000 RPM
Wide–open throttle 5600 RPM
3500–4000 RPM
Wide‑open throttle 5600 RPM
3500–4000 RPM
Wide‑open throttle 5600 RPM
Powerhead
Page 4A-73