New outboard break-in process

Ok all, I have a big question. Do you follow the break-in procedure for a new outboard motor? Heres why I ask: When I bought my boat from pros choice with the small motor I asked them to do the initial break in for me. Whether or not they did it is totally unknown to me. When I took delivery of my boat the following day they said run it like you stole it.lol. So thats what I did, never a complaint from the 25 hp fourstroke mercury. I just upgraded to a 2015 50hp fourstroke mercury and Bass pro gave me this almost rediculous break in procedure, 1/4 throttle for the first hour etc, etc.

So what do you all do?

This leads

Call Mercury Customer Service if you have doubts about which advice to follow. Or read the owners manual.

Read your owners manual, it will tell you what to do.

Owners manual instructions. 1) there is a reason for the instructions and 2) If a warranty issue comes about written instructions is what will cover your bases with the manufacturer. And they can probably pull the computer readout and tell how many hours the motor has spent at different RPM levels

Follow the owners manual directions, its easy to do, just don't take any fishing gear with you so you can focus on breaking the motor in. Varying the rpms is important so the rings and pistons, etc., mate up properly. I finished the process in 2-3 trips to the lake, gives you a chance to check some new fishing areas with the electronics. LOL.

What he said^^^^^^


The dealer NO WAY broke your engine in properly. It takes 10 hours of In Gear running. You can't break in an engine running it on a stand. You're Breaking In the Lower Unit at the same time you are the power head.

Yes we followed the instructions. When you invest that kind of money I wouldn't want to screw anything up. Your warranty depends on it and the life of your motor.

I have heard that on 4 stroke motors, the break in period is about 1/2 of what a 2 stroke is. I did the full 10 hours on my 2 stroke with double the oil.

The break in TIME is the same for a 4 stroke as it is for a 2. You can run a 4S WOT for less than 5 min. after the first 2-3hrs tho. depending on manufacturer. READ THE OWNERS MANUAL AND DO AS RECOMMENDED!!!!!!!! It's a No Brainer Gewber!!! [emoji4]

Thanks all. I appreciate your advice. Looks like im going to cruise around truman and locate the mdc waypoints

That was one good thing about my Etec. Fired it up let it idle the 5 minutes it took to park the truck and get back to the boat. Then ran it wide open for 7 miles.:yikes 140 Suzuki before that I did it by the book, No issues. Yamaha 4 stroke by the book. 5 mercurys by the book no issues. 2 suzuki's ran them like we stole them and no issues. Johnson and evinrude by the book both were junk. But that was back in the 1980's/
Next new motor will also be broken in by the book. These days the dealer can tell you if you were eating whiling pissing on the motor and void the warranty. PLus motors need to break in items right to be a good safe unit. With what we pay they need to last for sure. I like the on breakin on the etecs. But thinking my new motor will not be An Etec...

Yep. The electronics in a lot of motors record the RPM and the times and can tell if the break in period was followed.

Buddy of mine does a lot of fishing and the dealer asked him if he trolled a lot, he said no. The dealer said that 80% of his time was at 1000 - 1500 RPM. My buddy responded side imaging at 5 mph.