Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Clarksville, TN
    Posts
    1,775

    New Mercury Owner Questionp

    I got my first Mercury motor. It is a 2017 115 Mercury Pro XS 4 stroke with CT on a Ranger RT188C. I have always had Yamaha motors in the past. Wanted to try Mercury. I have found that there is a big difference in shifting in the new Mercury that I want to make sure is correct. If I push the gear shifter slowly from neutral to run (in gear) the Mercury feels like it wants to die. Coughs a bit. Is that normal for a Mercury? My dealer says it is. My last Yamaha was not like that. I could finesse it around in between neutral and in gear when I wanted to go slow around docks or that type of situation. Can't do that easily with this new Mercury. Dealer says you have to shift quickly in to gear with new Mercury to keep it from acting like it wants to shut down. So Mercury guys, is this correct? Thanks

  2. Member BuzzBait53's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Huntsville Tx
    Posts
    929
    #2
    Mine doesn't act like that...2017 merc pro xs 4s 115 hp non ct.

  3. Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Saint Louis
    Posts
    1,245
    #3
    No matter what, you should always shift firmly into gear. Never ease it into gear. Shift it with "authority" or you could damage the gears/clutch in the lower unit. As far as it wanting to die, that would be another issue that should be looked into. As a side note. Mercury's are not known to be smooth shifters anyway compared to other brands.



    Rick

  4. Member Skeeterbait's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    LA... Lower Alabama
    Posts
    5,796
    #4
    Shift it quickly into gear, don't let it ratchet. But it should not skip or sputter when shifted. I can shift mine in and out as you say without any stumble.


  5. Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    Roseville, Michigan
    Posts
    133
    #5
    I have the same exact motor on pretty much the same boat - non crappie version though. My motor doesn't act the way yours does though. I usually shift it quite quickly/firmly into gear. The few times that I have eased it into gear, My Merc has never felt like it was sputtering.

  6. Mercury 3L/4 Stroke/Verado Moderator EuropeanAM's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Greenville, SC (US)
    Posts
    94,945
    #6
    Engine is equipped with a Shift Position Switch, like all larger Mercury engines. PCM uses this switch to determine either "IN GEAR" or "IN NEUTRAL".

    Change in position results in a momentary stumble to assist in disengaging the current gear, or entering another.

    "Hovering and finessing" the shifter is a no-no on any current Outboard Gearcase. ALL are intended to be shifted directly and intentionally: Into Gear, or Out of Gear.

    Failure to follow this procedure will result in premature gearcase component wear, and potentially failures.


    Dual Mercury Master Technician- for Mercury Outboards, Mercruiser and Mercury Racing at European Marine in Greenville, SC.
    Still consider myself a "Marine Apprentice" after 47 years (learn something new every day).
    Mercury Parts, Mercury Outboards, Smartcraft & Accessories, Injector Service, TDR Reeds- BBC Sponsor

  7. Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Alabama
    Posts
    21,508
    #7
    This is a good thread and a good answer. I could have swore that my engine stumbled a little but I always thought it was before the clutch engaged and the engine was under load.