2003. Mercury 115 ELPTO

[Jim@sea]

For the last 20 years I have had boats with an Inboard Diesel. And my last Outboard was a 1986 Evinrude which was @50:1 Mix.
OK, I have seen articles in boat magazines regarding outboard motors over the years and paid little attention, but the 16ft boat I have just bought has a Mercury 115 ELPTO. I know it is 2 stroke and has an Oil Tank on the side and perhaps may have this system where under 1800 revs only 2 cylinders work. Unfortunately the person who is selling the boat, bought it new in 2003 but does not have any Handbook or any documents whatsoever. And if I go on the internet to buy a workshop manual I can't find one as they all seem to be for later or older models.
Does anyone have any information on this engine they would like to share, ie does and donts. perhaps a service book they could sell.

(sometimes if you find the right boat you have to accept the engine that goes with it and this boat although 10 years old looks virtually new and has not been antifouled to cover damage)

 

[P4Paul]

Might be worth emailing EP Barrus in Bicester who import Mercury outboards, I have always found them willing to help.

Email: customerservices@barrus.co.uk

 

[jfm]

For the last 20 years I have had boats with an Inboard Diesel. And my last Outboard was a 1986 Evinrude which was @50:1 Mix.
OK, I have seen articles in boat magazines regarding outboard motors over the years and paid little attention, but the 16ft boat I have just bought has a Mercury 115 ELPTO. I know it is 2 stroke and has an Oil Tank on the side and perhaps may have this system where under 1800 revs only 2 cylinders work. Unfortunately the person who is selling the boat, bought it new in 2003 but does not have any Handbook or any documents whatsoever. And if I go on the internet to buy a workshop manual I can't find one as they all seem to be for later or older models.
Does anyone have any information on this engine they would like to share, ie does and donts. perhaps a service book they could sell.

(sometimes if you find the right boat you have to accept the engine that goes with it and this boat although 10 years old looks virtually new and has not been antifouled to cover damage)

I have exactly this engine in 125 version and 2003 but its on a boat I hardly use, in Ireland. I'll copy the manual when I'm there but likely end of summer

Thing is, there's nothing in the manual. You put merc oil in it, clean the plugs, change the gear oil and impeller, and grease the grease nipples, and that's it

The thing where it switches from 2 to 4 cylinders is a pita. I don't particularly love this engine

 

[VicS]

For the last 20 years I have had boats with an Inboard Diesel. And my last Outboard was a 1986 Evinrude which was @50:1 Mix.
OK, I have seen articles in boat magazines regarding outboard motors over the years and paid little attention, but the 16ft boat I have just bought has a Mercury 115 ELPTO. I know it is 2 stroke and has an Oil Tank on the side and perhaps may have this system where under 1800 revs only 2 cylinders work. Unfortunately the person who is selling the boat, bought it new in 2003 but does not have any Handbook or any documents whatsoever. And if I go on the internet to buy a workshop manual I can't find one as they all seem to be for later or older models.
Does anyone have any information on this engine they would like to share, ie does and donts. perhaps a service book they could sell.

(sometimes if you find the right boat you have to accept the engine that goes with it and this boat although 10 years old looks virtually new and has not been antifouled to cover damage)

Cant help with a workshop manual but you will be able to find an Owner's Operation and maintenance manual in the download centre at Brunswick marine. http://download.brunswick-marine.com/download/preparesearch?mod=4&lang=EN

( sometimes better to search without inputting a year but there appears to be a manual for a 115, and others, there for 2003.

Run it initially with a 50:1 mix in the fuel tank while you confirm that the oil injection system is working OK, as you would during the break-in period with a new engine

 

[Jim@sea]

Cant help with a workshop manual but you will be able to find an Owner's Operation and maintenance manual in the download centre at Brunswick marine. http://download.brunswick-marine.com/download/preparesearch?mod=4&lang=EN

( sometimes better to search without inputting a year but there appears to be a manual for a 115, and others, there for 2003.

Run it initially with a 50:1 mix in the fuel tank while you confirm that the oil injection system is working OK, as you would during the break-in period with a new engine

Thank you JFM. And VicS. I used to be a great believer in adding oil to petrol as when I worked at a Garage in the 1950/60s we sold Red-EX or (Upper Cylinder Lubricant) as it was commonly known. And more recently a friend who buys and sells ex ministry and ex council equipment always uses extra oil in mixes, a splash in the petrol if its 4 stroke and a dash in diesel. Common scence really.
Could anyone confirm if this is the same engine as a Mariner. And is it an "Optimax"

 

[jfm]

I don't agree the "common sense" bit at all! It is same as mariner but is not optimax. Optimax is Efi whereas this is a carb engine

 

[rafiki_]

Thank you JFM. And VicS. I used to be a great believer in adding oil to petrol as when I worked at a Garage in the 1950/60s we sold Red-EX or (Upper Cylinder Lubricant) as it was commonly known. And more recently a friend who buys and sells ex ministry and ex council equipment always uses extra oil in mixes, a splash in the petrol if its 4 stroke and a dash in diesel. Common scence really.
Could anyone confirm if this is the same engine as a Mariner. And is it an "Optimax"

With any engine with a catalyst, you are likely to poison the cat if you add oil to the fuel. Clearly this is not the case with your outboard, but modern engines should not be messed with.