Mercury 225 OptiMax User manual

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Thank You
for your purchase of one of the finest outboards available.
You have made a sound investment in boating pleasure.
Your outboard has been manufactured by Mercury Marine, a
world leader in marine technology and outboard
manufacturing since 1939. These years of experience have
been committed to the goal of producing the finest quality
products. This led to Mercury Marine's reputation for strict
quality control, excellence, durability, lasting performance,
and being the best at providing after the sale support.
Please read this manual carefully before operating your
outboard. This manual has been prepared to assist you in
the operation, safe use, and care of your outboard.
All of us at Mercury Marine took pride in building your
outboard and wish you many years of happy and safe
boating.
Again, thank you for your confidence in Mercury Marine.
EPA Emissions Regulations
Outboards sold by Mercury Marine in the United States are
certified to the United States Environmental Protection
Agency as conforming to the requirements of the regulations
for the control of air pollution from new outboard motors.
This certification is contingent on certain adjustments being
set to factory standards. For this reason, the factory
procedure for servicing the product must be strictly followed
and, wherever practicable, returned to the original intent of
the design. Maintenance, replacement, or repair of the
emission control devices and systems may be
performed by any marine engine repair establishment or
individual.
Engines are labeled with an Emission Control Information
decal as permanent evidence of EPA certification.
! WARNING
The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals
known to the state of California to cause cancer, birth
defects or other reproductive harm.
© 2012 Mercury Marine 200/225/250 Pro XS OptiMax 90-8M0050073 710

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Warranty Message
The product you have purchased comes with a limited warranty
from Mercury Marine, the terms of the warranty are set forth in
the Warranty Information section of this manual. The warranty
statement contains a description of what is covered, what is not
covered, the duration of coverage, how to best obtain warranty
coverage, important disclaimers and limitations of damages,
and other related information. Please review this important
information.
The description and specifications contained herein were in
effect at the time this manual was approved for printing. Mercury
Marine, whose policy is one of continued improvement, reserves
the right to discontinue models at any time, to change
specifications, designs, methods, or procedures without notice
and without incurring obligation.
Mercury Marine, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin U.S.A.
Litho in U.S.A.
© 2010, Mercury Marine
Mercury, Mercury Marine, MerCruiser, Mercury MerCruiser,
Mercury Racing, Mercury Precision Parts, Mercury Propellers,
Mariner, Quicksilver, #1 On The Water, Alpha, Bravo, Pro Max,
OptiMax, Sport‑Jet, K‑Planes, MerCathode, RideGuide,
SmartCraft, Zero Effort, M with Waves logo, Mercury with Waves
logo, and SmartCraft logo are all registered trademarks of
Brunswick Corporation. Mercury Product Protection logo is a
registered service mark of Brunswick Corporation.
Mercury Premier Service
Mercury evaluates the service performance of its dealers and
assigns its highest rating of "Mercury Premier" to those
demonstrating an exceptional commitment to service.
Earning a Mercury Premier Service rating means a dealer:
• Achieves a high 12 month service CSI (Customer
Satisfaction Index) score for warranty service.
• Possesses all necessary service tools, test equipment,
manuals, and parts books.
• Employs at least one Certified or Master technician.

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• Provides timely service for all Mercury Marine customers.
• Offers extended service hours and mobile service, when
appropriate.
• Uses, displays, and stocks adequate inventory of genuine
Mercury Precision Parts.
• Offers a clean, neat shop with well organized tools and
service literature.
Declaration of Conformity OptiMax ‑ For Recreational Craft
Propulsion Engines with the Requirements of Directive
94/25/EC as amended by 2003/44/EC
Name of engine manufacturer: Mercury Marine
Address: W6250 Pioneer Road P.O. Box 1939
Town: Fond du Lac, WI Post Code: 54936‑1939 Country: USA
Name of Authorized Representative: Brunswick Marine in EMEA Inc.
Address: Parc Industriel de Petit‑Rechain
Town: Verviers Post Code: 4800 Country: Belgium
Name of Notified Body for exhaust emission assessment: Det Norske
Veritas AS
Address: Veritasveien 1
Town: Hovik Post Code:
1322
Country:
Norway ID Number: 0575
Name of Notified Body for noise emission assessment: Det Norske
Veritas AS
Address: Veritasveien 1
Town: Hovik Post Code:
1322
Country:
Norway ID Number: 0575
Conformity assessment
module used for exhaust
emissions:
☐ B+C ☐ B+D ☐ B+E ☐ B+F ☐ G☒ H
Conformity assessment
module used for noise
emissions:
☐ A☐ Aa ☐ G☒ H
Other Community Directives applied: Safety of Machinery Directive
98/37/EC; Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2004/108/EC

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Description of Engines and Essential Requirements
Engine Type Fuel Type Combustion Cycle
☒ Outboard engine ☒ Petrol ☒ 2 stroke
Identification of Engines Covered by This Declaration of
Conformity
Name of engine family
Unique engine
identification number:
starting serial number
EC Module H
certificate
number
1.5L OptiMax 75, 80, 90, 115,
125 hp 1B227000 RCD‑H‑2
2.5L OptiMax 135, 150, 175 hp 1B227000 RCD‑H‑2
3.0L OptiMax 200, 225 hp 1B227000 RCD‑H‑2
Essential
requirements standards
other
normative
document/
method
technical
file
Please specify in
more detail
(* = mandatory
standard)
Annex 1.B—Exhaust Emissions
B.1 engine
identification ☐ ☐ ☒
B.2 exhaust
emission
requirements
☒* ☐ ☐ * EN ISO
8178‑1:1996
B.3 durability ☐ ☐ ☒
B.4 owner's
manual ☒ ☐ ☐ ISO 8665: 1995
Annex 1.C—Noise Emissions
C.1 Noise emission
levels ☒* ☐ ☐ EN ISO 14509
C.2 Owner's
manual ☐ ☒ ☐ Owner's manual
This declaration of conformity is issued under the sole responsibility of the
manufacturer. I declare on behalf of the engine manufacturer that the engines
mentioned preceding complies with all applicable essential requirements in
the way specified.

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Name / function:
Mark D. Schwabero, President, Mercury
Outboard
Date and place of issue:July 24, 2008
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, USA

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WARRANTY INFORMATION
Warranty Registration.................................................................. 1
Transfer of Warranty.................................................................... 2
Transfer of Mercury Product Protection (Extended Service
Coverage) Plan United States and Canada.................................2
Outboard Limited Warranty..........................................................3
3 Year Limited Warranty Against Corrosion................................ 7
Warranty Coverage and Exclusions.......................................... 11
U.S. EPA Emissions Limited Warranty...................................... 13
Emission Control System Components..................................... 13
California Emissions Limited Warranty...................................... 14
California Air Resources Board Explanation of Your California
Emission Control Warranty Statement.......................................18
Emission Certification Star Label............................................... 19
General Information
Boater's Responsibilities............................................................ 21
Before Operating Your Outboard............................................... 21
Boat Horsepower Capacity........................................................ 21
Intended Boat Application.......................................................... 22
Propeller Selection.....................................................................22
Outboard Remote Control Models ............................................ 25
Remote Steering Notice.............................................................26
Lanyard Stop Switch.................................................................. 26
Protecting People in the Water.................................................. 30
Exhaust Emissions.................................................................... 30
Passenger Safety Message ‑ Pontoon Boats and Deck Boats
................................................................................................... 33
Wave and Wake Jumping.......................................................... 35
Impact with Underwater Hazards...............................................36
Selecting Accessories for Your Outboard.................................. 37
Safe Boating Suggestions......................................................... 37
Recording Serial Number.......................................................... 40
Specifications.............................................................................40
Component Identification........................................................... 42

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Transporting
Trailering Boat/Outboard .......................................................... 43
Fuel and Oil
Avoiding Fuel Flow Restrictions.................................................44
Fuel Requirements.................................................................... 44
Low Permeation Fuel Hose Requirement ................................. 46
Oil Recommendation................................................................. 46
Filling Remote Oil Tank............................................................. 47
Filling Engine Mounted Oil Reservoir Tank............................... 47
Filling Fuel Tank........................................................................ 47
Features and Controls
Remote Control Features.......................................................... 49
Zero Effort Control Features...................................................... 50
Warning System........................................................................ 50
Overspeed Rev Limit................................................................. 53
Power Trim and Tilt....................................................................54
Operation
Engine Break‑in......................................................................... 59
Engine Break‑in Fuel Mixture.................................................... 59
Pre‑Starting Check List.............................................................. 59
Operating in Freezing Temperatures......................................... 60
Operating in Saltwater or Polluted Water.................................. 60
Operating at High Elevations..................................................... 61
Effects of Elevation and Weather on Performance.................... 61
Setting Trim Angle While Running Engine at Idle Speed.......... 62
Operating in Shallow Water....................................................... 62
Starting the Engine.................................................................... 63
Gear Shifting.............................................................................. 66
Stopping the Engine.................................................................. 66

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Maintenance
Power Package Care................................................................. 67
Submerged Power Package...................................................... 67
Replacement Parts for Your Power Package............................ 67
EPA Emissions Regulations...................................................... 68
Inspection and Maintenance Schedule...................................... 69
Flushing the Cooling System (Powerhead)............................... 72
Flushing the Cooling System (Lower Unit)................................ 73
Top Cowl Removal and Installation........................................... 74
Cleaning Care for Top Cowl...................................................... 74
Fuel System............................................................................... 75
Steering Link Rod Fasteners..................................................... 78
Fuses ........................................................................................ 80
Corrosion Control Anode........................................................... 81
Spark Plug Inspection and Replacement...................................82
Battery Inspection ..................................................................... 84
Charging System Fusible Link................................................... 85
Propeller Replacement ‑ 25.4 mm (1.0 in.) Diameter Propeller
Shaft.......................................................................................... 85
Propeller Replacement ‑ 31.75 mm (1‑1/4 in.) Diameter Propeller
Shaft.......................................................................................... 88
Lubrication Points...................................................................... 90
Checking Power Trim Fluid........................................................92
Gearcase Lubrication.................................................................93
Storage
Storage Preparation...................................................................95
Protecting Internal Engine Components.................................... 97
Protecting External Outboard Components............................... 97
Gearcase................................................................................... 98
Positioning Outboard for Storage.............................................. 98
Battery Storage.......................................................................... 98

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Troubleshooting
Starter Motor Will Not Crank the Engine....................................99
Engine Will Not Start..................................................................99
Engine Runs Erratically........................................................... 100
Performance Loss....................................................................100
Warning Horn Activates (With Power Loss).............................100
Warning Horn Activates (No Power Loss)............................... 101
Battery Will Not Hold Charge................................................... 101
Owner Service Assistance
Local Repair Service................................................................103
Service Away from Home........................................................ 103
Parts and Accessories Inquiries.............................................. 103
Service Assistance.................................................................. 103
Mercury Marine Service Offices...............................................104
Ordering Literature...................................................................105