Mercury 50 / 60 FourStroke (4 cylinder, carbureted, 2001 on, serial 0T178500 and above) service guide
Oil, gear oil, spark plugs and the service schedule for the Mercury 50 / 60 FourStroke (4 cylinder, carbureted, 2001 on, serial 0T178500 and above) (50 to 60 hp, four-stroke), from the factory service manual, plus how we service it in Hawaiʻi.
Models covered: Mercury 50 and 60 (4-Stroke), 2001 and newer, United States serial 0T178500 and above; 50/60 ELPT and 50/60 ELPT Bigfoot. 4 cylinder, over head camshaft, 996 cc (60.8 cu in), carbureted. Two gear cases: 3-1/4 in (83 mm) 1.83:1 and 4-1/4 in (108 mm) Bigfoot 2.31:1. The 50/60 EFI (serial 0T409000 and above) has its own sheet.
Quick answers
- How much oil does a Mercury 50 / 60 FourStroke take?
- Either 3 US quarts or 3 liters (3.0 L, 3 US qt). it does not give separate with-filter and without-filter amounts.
- What engine oil does a Mercury 50 / 60 FourStroke use?
- Quicksilver 4-Cycle Marine Oil, SAE 10W-30 for all temperatures; SAE 25W-40 may be used above 40 °F (4 °C). If not available, a premium 4-cycle engine oil meeting API SH, SG, SF, CF-4, CE, CD or CDII.
- What gear oil does a Mercury 50 / 60 FourStroke use, and how much?
- Quicksilver Gear Lube-Premium Blend. Quantity: Standard 1.83:1 gear case: 340 ml (11.5 US fl oz). Fill until lube appears at the vent holes.
- What spark plug does a Mercury 50 / 60 FourStroke use?
- NGK DPR6EA-9, qty 4. Gap: (1.0 mm).
- How often should a Mercury 50 / 60 FourStroke be serviced?
- The factory schedule lists: Every 100 hours of use or once yearly, whichever occurs first; Every 300 hours of use or three years. In Hawaiʻi's salt water we do a full yearly service every 200 hours or 1 year, whichever comes first, and a new engine needs its first (break-in) service.
- When should the water pump impeller be replaced on a Mercury 50 / 60 FourStroke?
- The factory schedule says to replace it at 300 hours. In Hawaiʻi's warm salt water we replace it every 200 hours or 1 year, whichever comes first, because a worn impeller is the most common cause of overheating.
- What is the idle speed of a Mercury 50 / 60 FourStroke?
- 850 ± 25 rpm out of gear; 725 ± 25 rpm in forward gear. WOT range 5500 to 6000 rpm.
- What is the propeller nut torque on a Mercury 50 / 60 FourStroke?
- 55 lb-ft (75 Nm), both gear cases.
Maintenance specs
| Engine oil | Quicksilver 4-Cycle Marine Oil, SAE 10W-30 for all temperatures; SAE 25W-40 may be used above 40 °F (4 °C). If not available, a premium 4-cycle engine oil meeting API SH, SG, SF, CF-4, CE, CD or CDII |
|---|---|
| Engine oil quantity | Either 3 US quarts or 3 liters (3.0 L, 3 US qt). it does not give separate with-filter and without-filter amounts |
| Oil filter | p/n 35-822626A2; 70 lb-in (8 Nm) with wrench 91-802653; or screw on until the gasket contacts the base, then 3/4 to 1 turn |
| Engine oil drain plug | 17.5 lb-ft (24 Nm); lubricate the seal on the drain plug with oil |
| Gear lube | Quicksilver Gear Lube-Premium Blend |
| Gear lube quantity | Standard 1.83:1 gear case: 340 ml (11.5 US fl oz). Fill until lube appears at the vent holes |
| Gear lube plugs | Standard gear case: 1 drain (fill/drain) screw and 2 vent screws, 3 sealing washers, 58 lb-in (6.5 Nm); install new sealing washers. Bigfoot gear case: 3 screws (vent, fill/drain, oil level vent), 3 sealing washers, 60 lb-in (6.8 Nm) |
| Gear case leak test pressure | 10 to 12 psi (68 to 83 kPa) for 5 minutes |
| Spark plug | NGK DPR6EA-9, qty 4 |
| Spark plug gap | (1.0 mm) |
| Spark plug torque | 150 lb-in (17 Nm); or finger tight then 1/4 turn, or 12.5 lb-ft (17 Nm) |
| Idle speed | 850 ± 25 rpm out of gear; 725 ± 25 rpm in forward gear. WOT range 5500 to 6000 rpm |
| Thermostat | Opens at 118 to 123 °F (48 to 51 °C); full open 145 °F (63 °C) |
| Anodes | Trim tab retaining bolt 22 lb-ft (29.8 Nm), both gear cases; Bigfoot side anode screw (M6 x 40) 60 lb-in (6.8 Nm). |
| Propeller nut | 55 lb-ft (75 Nm), both gear cases |
| Power trim fluid | Quicksilver Power Trim & Steering Fluid, or automotive ATF if not available. Tilt full up on the tilt support lock; level even with the bottom of the fill hole |
| Valve clearance, cold | Intake 0.15 to 0.25 mm (0.006 to 0.010 in); exhaust 0.25 to 0.35 mm (0.010 to 0.014 in) |
Service schedule
The factory maintenance intervals, with what is replaced and what is checked at each. Rows marked Hawaiʻi are our shop's yearly service for salt water use.
Every 100 hours of use or once yearly, whichever occurs first
Replace: engine oil, oil filter, oil drain plug gasket, gear case oil, gear case plug gaskets
Check: spark plugs, fuel filter, thermostat, anodes
Every 200 hours or 1 year (our Hawai‘i yearly service) Hawai‘i
Replace: engine oil, oil filter, oil drain plug gasket, gear case oil, gear case plug gaskets, water pump impeller
Check: spark plugs, fuel filter, thermostat, anodes
Every 300 hours of use or three years
Replace: engine oil, oil filter, oil drain plug gasket, gear case oil, gear case plug gaskets, water pump impeller
Check: spark plugs, fuel filter, thermostat, anodes
We replace the water pump impeller at every service from 200 hours up, which can be sooner than the factory schedule, because of Hawaiʻi’s warm salt water.
Source: Mercury 50/60 service manual. Specs can change by model year and serial number, so always confirm your exact model from the serial tag on the clamp bracket.
Other Mercury guides
- Mercury 50 / 60 EFI FourStroke (4 cylinder, 2005 to 2008)50 to 60 hp
- Mercury / Mariner 50 / 55 / 60 and 45 Jet two-stroke, 3 cylinder (849 cc)45 to 60 hp
- Mercury / Mariner 40 / 45 / 50 and 50 Bigfoot FourStroke (4 cylinder 935 cc, carbureted, serial 0G231123 and above)40 to 50 hp
- Mercury 40 / 50 / 60 EFI FourStroke (4 cylinder, 995 cc)40 to 60 hp
- Mercury 40 / 50 two-stroke (3 cylinder, 697 cc)40 to 50 hp
- Mercury 40 FourStroke (3 cylinder, carbureted)40 hp