Mercury 2.5hp outboard motor

Ihave owned my Mercury outboard from new since 1996. As it is now 20 years old, I thought it might qualify as ‘classic kit’,

It starts on first pull, despite my not following some best practices. For instance, it still has its original spark plug, complete with original black engine paint. Also, contrary to the manual, I remove the cylinder head each winter to clean out the waterways in the cylinder jacket, head and tell-tale outlet, and I am still using its original head gasket.

I have had to replace the fuel tank (the original split around the neck) and the fuel tap (the original fell apart), while the original cylinder head cracked after two years (that’s why I now clean the waterways). I am on the second water pump impeller, but only as a precaution: the original looked OK after 18 years. I have not bothered to replace the leg anode as I prefer to tilt the engine out of the salt water when not in use. Admittedly, the leg’s black paint has mostly flaked off, but that’s a wonderful deterrent against theft. During the sailing season, my outboard lives on a bracket on the pushpit in all weathers. I don’t bother to change the leg gear oil but I do check its level – and it never needs topping up.

We live on our boat for many weeks each year and use the outboard extensively. Top tips for reliable engine starts: (1) Keep water out of your fuel; (2) Pull the piston to top compression when stopped, and it will keep the plug’s electrodes dry.