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New Look for Mercury Analog Gauges

Refreshed Mercury & Quicksilver Analog Gauges

 

New Analog Gauges from Mercury

May 2023 - Mercury Marine announced that they will be updating their Mercury & Quicksilver analog gauges.

The new refreshed gauges feature improved lighting, red backlighting for Mercury Marine gauges and blue backlighting for Quicksilver gauges. The newly designed diffuser rings distribute soft, even light across the face to improve visibility at night and improve readability in daylight. 

Mercury & Quicksilver are offering a "Sport" and a "Classic" line. The classic line has chrome bezels only. The sport line has new brushed stainless bezels and matte black bezels. White or black faces are available for both. 

Along with the new brushed steel bezel options, Mercury has modernized the bezel shapes and updated the graphics. The function, rigging, cutout and wiring of the new gauges will remain the same as the existing Flagship and Admiral gauges, just the look is changing. The previous versions will become NLA (no longer available).  

The International Series gauges will not have replacements. If you have an International gauge you will need to choose from the new options.

All of the Mercury analog gauges at discounted pricing can be found here.

How do I find the right serpentine belt?

One of the most common questions we get is: How do I know which serpentine belt fits my engine?

Well luckily we have the complete Mercruiser parts diagram lookup right on our site to make it very simple.

Step 1. Make sure you're on the page for your engine by using our serial number lookup. Simply type in your serial number at the top right of our site in the "Search by serial number" box.

Search by engine serial number

 

Step 2. Once you're on the correct page you can either:

a. Search for "belt" in the "search for part name here" box, or b., Go to the alternator page where most serpentine belts are found.


Step 3.
In this case below we are on the alternator page and there are several choices.

Choice of alternator belts

If you're on your phone or a mobile device it may look like this:

parts lookup serpentine belt

Either way, just hover over the spyglass under the Notes field. 

spyglass notes

The spyglass/Notes column will tell you important differences between the belts. In this case, this part # is for a Bravo with power steering and standard cooling. You can then click on the part number and see if there is a photo and more details.

 

If you're still not sure, please use the contact us box and include your engine serial number and we will help!

 

 

 

E15 Fuel Damage to Marine Engines

E15 fuel damage

Don’t let E15 fuel damage your marine engine this summer!

Summer 2022!  Be extra careful in preparing your boat for outings on the water. A change in fuel availability could pose a risk to your boat’s engine and its warranty, so make sure you are checking ethanol-content labels at the gas pump.

E15 gasoline blend is usually restricted from sale during the summer. However, this year it will be available all year long at gas pumps across the U.S. for the first time in more than 10 years.

E15 gasoline contains up to 15% ethanol derived from corn and sometimes other grains or sugars. When the weather is sunny and hot, it can significantly increase the amount of summertime smog. This increase played a big part in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2011 ban of the sale of E15 during summer months.  

With the major global issues that led to inflation, gasoline has become one of the most affected products. As a countermeasure, President Biden announced an EPA policy waiver that permits the sale of E15 gasoline year round.

While it might be a worthwhile alternative for some cars and trucks, E15 is not a good option for marine engines. That’s because ethanol attracts water from condensation and the air, which in turn can wreak havoc on a combustion engine. Problems that can be caused by too much ethanol in fuel (more than 10%) include the following:

  •          Corrosion of metal parts
  •          Deterioration of rubber or plastic parts
  •          Fuel permeation through rubber fuel lines
  •          Starting and operating difficulties

For these reasons and more, warranty coverage on a broad array of repairs and services will become void on any Mercury engine that has been shown to have been operated using fuel with an ethanol content of more than 10%. 

In conclusion, please remember to check the ethanol-content labels at the gas pump. And to avoid serious damage to your engine and voiding some warranty coverages, be sure to only use gasoline with an ethanol content of 10% or less for your boat.  Mercury offers an alcohol tester to find the ethanol/alcohol percentage in your gasoline. You can purchase one on our site here. 

View all fuel system care products here.

 

Below is a list of Fuel and Fuel Systems FAQ's from Mercury Marines website:

QUESTION:

What is phase separation, and how do I deal with it?

ANSWER:

If significant amounts of water are present in a fuel tank with gasoline that contains ethanol, the water will be drawn into the fuel until the saturation point is reached for the three-component mixture of water + gasoline + ethanol. Beyond this level of water, phase separation could cause most of the ethanol and water to separate from the bulk fuel and drop to the bottom of the tank, leaving gasoline with a significantly reduced level of ethanol in the upper phase. If the lower phase of water and ethanol is large enough to reach the fuel inlet, it could be pumped directly to the engine and cause significant problems. Even if the ethanol water phase at the bottom of the tank is not drawn into the fuel inlet, the reduced ethanol level of the fuel reduces the octane rating by as much as 3 octane numbers, which could result in engine problems.

The level at which phase separation can occur is determined by a number of variables, including the amount of ethanol, the composition of the fuel, the temperature of the environment and the presence of contaminants. It is very important (A) that the system is inspected for significant quantities of water in the tank before using gasoline with ethanol and (B) to limit exposure of the fuel tank to excess water. If phase separation has occurred, it is necessary to completely remove all free water from the system and replace the fuel before continuing operation. Otherwise, engine problems could occur.

QUESTION:

Is an additive available that can prevent phase separation?

ANSWER:

There is no practical additive that can prevent phase separation from occurring. The only practical solution is to keep water from accumulating in the tank in the first place.

QUESTION:

Should I add an additional fine-micron filter to the system to prevent debris from entering the engine?

ANSWER:

The addition of another filter to the system will create another possible flow restriction that can starve the engine of fuel. Mercury already provides the appropriate level of filtration to protect the engine from debris.

QUESTION:

Are older fuel lines prone to failure from ethanol-based fuels? What about gaskets?

ANSWER:

During the 1980s, many rubber components for use in fuel systems were developed to withstand exposure to fuels containing ethanol. If rubber components in a fuel system are suspected to be of this vintage or older it may be advisable to replace them with newer ethanol-safe components before using fuels containing ethanol. Check with the manufacturer for advice or frequently inspect these fuel-system components for signs of swelling or deterioration and replace if problems are noted.

QUESTION:

Can ethanol-blended fuels affect the performance of traditional carbureted two-stroke outboards?

ANSWER:

Two-stroke outboards should experience little or no decrease in performance due to gasoline fuels containing up to 10-percent ethanol when operated according to Mercury's standard recommendations. When gasoline with ethanol is used for the first time after a fuel changeover from MTBE, the tank must be completely free of water prior to introduction of gasoline with ethanol. Otherwise, phase separation could occur that could cause filter plugging or damage to the engine. (It is probably better for a boat owner to fill the fuel tanks with ethanol fuel for the first time when the tank is low on fuel, but that is not critical. There should be no difficulties if the tank is clean and free from water. If the tank is not free from water, a partial load of fuel will more easily phase separate because with less ethanol in place it takes less water to cause phase separation. The important thing for boaters to concern themselves with is the presence of water in their tanks.)

If an engine is a 1990 or older model, frequent inspections of all fuel-system components are advised to identify any signs of leakage, softening, hardening, swelling or corrosion. If any sign of leakage or deterioration is observed, replacement of the affected components is required before further operation.

QUESTION:

How does ethanol affect my fiberglass fuel tank?

ANSWER:

Fiberglass tanks manufactured prior to 1991 may not be compatible with gasoline containing ethanol. It has been reported that, in the presence of ethanol, some resins may be drawn out of fiberglass and carried into the engine where severe damage could occur. If an older fiberglass tank is used, check with the manufacturer to determine if gasoline with ethanol can be safely used.

QUESTION:

Ethanol is replacing MTBE in my region - what should I do?

ANSWER:

Before gasoline with ethanol is introduced to your fuel tank, ask your boat manufacturer if any special precautions should be considered with the use of fuel containing ethanol. Check for the presence of water in the fuel tank. If any is found, remove all water and dry the tank completely. As a precaution, it is advisable to carry a few extra filters in case filter plugging becomes a problem during boating.

QUESTION:

Are there any additives that can allow the phase-separated mixture to remix when added to the fuel tank?

ANSWER:

No, the only way to avoid further problems is to remove the water, dispose of the depleted fuel, clean the tank and start with a fresh, dry load of fuel.

QUESTION:

Is there a simple solution to water condensation in the tank as a result of ethanol?

ANSWER:

It is best to maintain a full tank of fuel when the engine is not in use. This will reduce the void space above the fuel and will reduce the flow of air in and out of the tank with changes in temperature. This will reduce condensation on the internal walls of the tank and will limit exposure of the ethanol in the fuel to humidity and condensation.

QUESTION:

Will the use of fuels containing ethanol void my engine warranty?

ANSWER:

Fuels containing up to 10 percent ethanol are considered acceptable for use in Mercury engines. Fuels containing higher levels of ethanol are not considered acceptable for use, and the use of fuels containing ethanol higher than 10 percent can void the warranty.

Mercury offers an Alcohol Tester (see image below) to find the ethanol/alcohol percentage in gasoline.   

QUESTION:

What should be done when storing boats with ethanol-blended fuels for extended periods?

ANSWER:

Follow the instructions for normal storage preparation found in the Warranty Information and Operation and Maintenance manuals. When preparing to store a boat for extended periods of two months or more, it is best to completely remove all fuel from the tank. If it is difficult or not possible to remove the fuel, maintaining a full tank of fuel with a fuel stabilizer added to provide fuel stability and corrosion protection is recommended. It is best to add the stabilizer and fuel treatment to the tank at the recommended dosage, run the engine for 10 minutes to allow the system to be cleaned, shut off the fuel valve to interrupt the fuel supply and allow the engine to run until it stops, and top off the tank until it’s full to reduce the amount of exchange with the air that might bring in condensation. Do not cap the tank vent and do not fill with fuel to the point of overflowing. Some extra space should be maintained in the tank to allow for expansion and contraction of the fuel with temperature changes. A partially full tank is not recommended because the void space above the fuel allows air movement that can bring in water through condensation as the air temperature moves up and down. This condensation could potentially become a problem.

Mercury Marine Quickstor can help maintain fuel systems in storage. Quickstor contains oxidation inhibitors to reduce oxidation and gum formation, metal-chelating agents to protect metal components from corrosion, and water-absorbing agents to reduce the presence of free water. 

V12 600 HP Verado Outboard Unveiled

600 HP V12 VERADO UNVEILING

Mercury Marine is proud to announce the revolutionary new V12 Verado with an impressive 600 horsepower! The 7.6L Verado Outboard is the most powerfule and most advanced outboard on the market.

Mercury Marine has implemented game changers like the steerable gearcase and 2 speed automatic transmission for the ultimate outboard driving experience.  Read more about the V12 Verado here

Watch the complete video unveiling this beast here! 

 

What are Link Gauges?

Smartcraft Link Gauge SC100 4 in 1 gauge 12V Link Gauge SMARTCRAFT WATER PRESSURE LINK GAUGE 52 MM

 

Mercury Marine often refers to "Link Gauges", "System Link Gauges" or "SC100 System Link Gauges". What does this mean?

These are the small 85 mm (3 3/8") OR 52 mm (2 1/8") SmartCraft gauges such as water temperature, oil temperature, trim, oil level, etc. SmartCraft Link Gauges are basically any gauge besides the tachometer or speedometer.

The SC100 Link gauges allow you to monitor vital engine and boat functions digitally. These are commonly referred to being "daisy chained" between other SmartCraft products using plug-in connections. The SC100 gauges can be connected to a MercMonitro, System Monitor or a SC1000 System Tachometer.

The SC100 System Link gauges come with plastic faces and interface with analog gauges to let you track your vital engine and boat functions digitally. 

If you're thinking of upgrading your displays in your boat and want to get a VesselView then you will need to check to see if the kit you're ordering includes a VesselView Link to talk to your Link gauges.

 

Where is my serial number?

One of the most commonly asked questions is "where can I find my engine serial number?". Well that depends. 


If you have an older model Mercruiser STERNDRIVE or INBOARD Engine, most likely it will be on a little tag on the block near the starter.

Mercruiser sterndrive engine serial number location starter

It's not the easiest to locate! Sometimes it's near the flywheel. Sometimes it's on the flame arrestor. All we can tell you is once you find it, save that number somewhere safe! Then bookmark the page on our site after you input your serial number into our parts lookup by serial number so you can easily go to your parts diagrams. 

 

Newer sterndrive and inboard engines will have the tag on the engine cover as shown below.

 

If you have a Mercury reman engine it should be on the block near the starter.

mercury reman engine serial number location

 


 

If you have a Mercury OUTBOARD ENGINE and you're looking to use our Mercury outboard serial number lookup, it's not such a big deal.  The serial number is on the transom bracket on most outboards.


FINDING DRIVE SERIAL NUMBERS

Now if you need your STERNDRIVE serial number that's usually pretty easy depending on the year the drive was made. Usually it's stamped on a sticker on the top side of the drive. See below for locations for your drive and transom. 

Bravo Drive Alpha transom Serial Number location

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mercury and Mercruiser serial numbers are generally a number, a letter and then 6 digits except for older products which may just be digits. For example, newer outboard serial numbers are something like: 3A123456, 2A987654, etc. Older sterndrive products are something like: 0M123456, 0W987654, etc. 

Use the Contact Us tab for questions!

Quicksilver vs Mercury What's the Dif?

One of the most common questions we are asked is, what's the difference between Quicksilver and Mercury? In a nutshell, nothing.

QUICKSILVER HISTORY

Quicksilver has been around since 1950. Consumers consider it one of the most trusted brands in the markets we serve. Quicksilver has earned a loyal following by providing the highest quality products for more than 60 years. Quicksilver is the premier supplier of Mercury Marine Original Equipment replacement parts and accessories. The two brands share the same DNA, and same brand promise.  The main difference between the two brands is where they are sold and the larger breadth of products available under the Quicksilver brand. Mercury products are sold only by Mercury Marine dealerships. Quicksilver products are available in retail stores, independent marine dealerships, powersports dealerships and local convenience stores – just about everywhere marine and powersports parts, accessories and engine care products are found. Quicksilver offers 40,000+ parts across 12 product lines, and their products can be found throughout the world.

According to Mercury Marine, no aftermarket company comes close to the level of research and design as Quicksilver products. And no other company tests their products like Quicksilver, either. Literally, millions of hours have been spent on fired-engine testing and analysis. Quality and integrity are paramount. Buying Quicksilver is buying performance, protection, and peace of mind.  

Quicksilver Gear Lube for Sale

So, it comes down to a matter of personal preference, availability and price for the consumer. We carry both products on our site at discounted prices. Be aware though that Mercury Marine sells many of their parts in Quicksilver packaging so as a dealer, we have no choice on how it's packaged. If you'll look closely at the bottom of every package it usually says: "Products of Mercury Marine™, Fond du Lac, WI 54936-1939". For example, this key  has one part number only and can only be ordered with this part number which comes in "Quicksilver" packaging. It's a Mercury key with a Mercury part number, totally OEM. You can't order it any other way. There is no other version/packaging. 

It's not the Quicksilver oil in the photo above where you can buy the same thing with a Mercury label on it (exact same product).
Yes we know, totally confusing.     
 

 

 

 

New Mercury 225 HP V6 FourStroke Outboard Delivers

Mercury Unveils New 175, 200 & 225 HP V6 FourStroke Outboard Motors 

225 HP V6 Fourstroke Black BAM Marine was one of the lucky dealers to be invited to the preview and product training session on Mercury's unveiling of the new 175, 200 and 225 HP fourstroke V6 outboard motor held on February 14th, at the Doubletree Biscayne hotel in Miami.   225 fourstroke custom accent panels

So many cool things about this motor...where do we start? Well first of all it's a V6 AND a fourstroke.

Can you say QUIET? We saw the engine in the water on a demo boat and couldn't believe it was running. According to Mercury Marine, the 200 HP FourStroke is 15-30% quieter with 50% less vibration than the leading fourstroke competitor. We saw it firsthand.

LIGHT. Wow. The 225 HP V6 is 60 pounds lighter than the competition! 

Fuel EFFICIENT. Superior fuel economy to save you money. Advanced Range Optimization (ARO) automatically adjusts fuel delivery to improve your cruise speed fuel efficiency. 12-16% better cruising fuel economy than the leading competitor. 

INNOVATIVE features.

  • Adaptive Speed Control. Let's you maintain a desired rpm regardless of changes in load, condition (such as tow sports, rough conditions, etc.) turns, etc. No need to constantly adjust throttle. This is a first in the outboard industry.
  • Idle Charge Battery Management. Alternator output is authomatically increased to recharge low batteries to proper level. Great for those long days of trolling. Mercury's high capacity, high-power alternator delivers 20 amps at idle and 85 amps total at wide open throttle. 

DESIGN. Well thought out. Mercury took into consideration all of the feedback they have acquired from outboard owners over the years. Finally, someone designed the outboard so you don't have to remove the entire cowling just to check your oil! Simply lift up the top cowl service door and voila!...oil check. They also added a really cool option of enabling the owner to customize their engines. You can purchase fatory-painted accent panels or customize yourself. 

LOW MAINTENANCE. 

  • Maintenance-free valve-train: No valve-clearance adjustment is required for the life of the engine. 
  • Easy access with the top cowl service door with a conveniently located graphic hour-based maintenance decal. 

These engines were designed to be powerful, light, compact and fuel-efficient – truly precision engineered from skeg to cowl. Mercury really had the repower consumer in mind when designing these to fit the 26 inch mounting centers commonly found on older boats. 

Call us or email us for pricing and availability.  

 

 

Some Racing Props Soon No Longer Available

Mercury Racing Propeller Numbers to be Discontinued

Mercury Racing has released a list of racing propeller part numbers that will soon be NLA (no longer available). 

Mercury Racing has introduced several new propeller models that have seen unprecedented demand such as the new Bravo One derivatives, the Revolution 4 XPMAX 5 and CNC Cleaver props. In order to keep up with demand they must eliminate part numbers and propeller families where demand has declined due to product changes in the marketplace and/or migration to other propeller models. 

The props that will not be made anymore are here. They will stop production of these racing propellers on December 15th, 2017. If you would like to order any of these props, please order before December 8th to ensure you get the prop you need. Shop for propellers at discounted prices here.

 

My Part Number Doesn't Match My Mercury Part

Why Doesn’t the Mercury Part Number Match? 

 

We constantly get calls from our customers asking to order a part using a number stamped on the actual item. We also receive calls from people who are confused because the number on the Mercury part is different from the part number they received after they ordered from our site.

So read on as we explain why the number on the part isn’t the same as the number used to order the part.

Pretend we are working in a manufacturing facility and are putting together a switch. In this example there are 3 components that go together to make one final piece. The final part number is going to be 123456A1.

There is some wire, an outer plastic piece and a clip. The outer plastic piece has a number stamped on it: 123456. The other 2 pieces don’t have any numbers on them at all. You assemble these pieces and create your switch. You then send it over to be packaged. The packaging department has more “pieces” to go with the assembled component. Maybe they add an instruction sheet, a plastic bag and put it in a box. They then put a final part number on the box: 123456A1. So in this case the manufacturer is providing to you, its customer; a complete assembled switch in a box with instructions.  So, when you pull out your old part and it is stamped 123456, it’s not going to match the number used to place the order. It may be similar – but it is not the actual complete number used to order the part.

The best way to order parts is by using the serial number from your engine, drive, etc. Mercury frequently changes (supersedes) part numbers in their system, so the old number you ordered may not be available anymore.  Many of the new part numbers include changes and improvements so your new replacement part may not look like the old one. It may also require a slight modification to how you install it. If included be sure to read the enclosed instructions!  

We've made it as easy as possible for you with our serial number lookup! Just input your number and click on your engine, drive, etc. and you'll have a complete diagram of the correct parts so you don't waste money guessing. 

As always, we are here for our customers via email