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Mercury Verado 200 / 225 / 250 / 275 / 300 (6 cylinder) service guide

Oil, gear oil, spark plugs and the service schedule for the Mercury Verado 200 / 225 / 250 / 275 / 300 (6 cylinder) (200 to 300 hp, four-stroke), from the factory service manual, plus how we service it in Hawaiʻi.

Models covered: Mercury Verado 200, 225, 250, 275 and 300, 250 and 300 Pro, and 300 CCT, 6 cylinder supercharged 2.6 L, model year 2005 on, serial 0T980000 and above. Gearcases: 4.8 in (122 mm) standard and counter rotation, and 5.44 in (137 mm) torpedo.

Quick answers

How much oil does a Mercury Verado 200 / 225 / 250 / 275 / 300 take?
About 7.0 L (7.4 US qt) at an oil change; 8 L (8.4 US qt) dry.
What engine oil does a Mercury Verado 200 / 225 / 250 / 275 / 300 use?
Mercury Racing 4-Stroke Oil, or NMMA FC-W SAE 25W-50 Synthetic Blend (preferred), or NMMA FC-W 25W-40 Synthetic Blend.
What gear oil does a Mercury Verado 200 / 225 / 250 / 275 / 300 use, and how much?
Mercury or Quicksilver High Performance Gear Lubricant. Quantity: 4.8 in gearcase, standard or counter rotation: 970 ml (32.8 fl oz). 5.44 in torpedo: 850 ml (28.7 fl oz).
What spark plug does a Mercury Verado 200 / 225 / 250 / 275 / 300 use?
NGK ILFR6G or ILFR6GE, qty 6 (16 mm hex). Gap: 0.8 mm (0.031 in).
How often should a Mercury Verado 200 / 225 / 250 / 275 / 300 be serviced?
The factory schedule lists: Every 100 hours or once a year; Every 300 hours or 3 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 Verado 200 / 225 / 250 / 275 / 300?
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 Verado 200 / 225 / 250 / 275 / 300?
550 ± 50 r/min.
What is the propeller nut torque on a Mercury Verado 200 / 225 / 250 / 275 / 300?
75 N·m (55 lb·ft); bend three retainer tabs.

Maintenance specs

Engine oilMercury Racing 4-Stroke Oil, or NMMA FC-W SAE 25W-50 Synthetic Blend (preferred), or NMMA FC-W 25W-40 Synthetic Blend
Engine oil quantityAbout 7.0 L (7.4 US qt) at an oil change; 8 L (8.4 US qt) dry
Oil filterP/N 883701K01 (serial 1B517433 and below) or 877769K01 (1B517434 and above). Oil the gasket, then 3/4 to 1 turn after it touches
Engine oil drain plug10 N·m (88 to 89 lb·in)
Gear lubeMercury or Quicksilver High Performance Gear Lubricant
Gearcase capacity4.8 in gearcase, standard or counter rotation: 970 ml (32.8 fl oz). 5.44 in torpedo: 850 ml (28.7 fl oz)
Gearcase fill and vent plugs4.8 in gearcase 6.7 N·m (60 lb·in). 5.44 in gearcase 22.6 N·m (200 lb·in). Replace the sealing washers if damaged
Gear housing pressure test103.4 kPa (15 psi), no gear lube, 5 minutes without leakage
Spark plugNGK ILFR6G or ILFR6GE, qty 6 (16 mm hex)
Spark plug gap0.8 mm (0.031 in)
Idle speed550 ± 50 r/min
ThermostatOil module (IOM) thermostat opens at 105 °C (221 °F). at 100 hours check it for corrosion or a broken spring and that it closes fully at room temperature
Water pressure4.8 in: 550 r/min 15.2 kPa (2.2 psi); 6000 r/min warm water 60 kPa (8.7 psi), cold water 260 kPa (37.8 psi). 5.44 in: 550 r/min 6.9 to 20.5 kPa (1 to 3 psi); same at 6000 r/min; poppet opens 27.6 to 62.0 kPa (4 to 9 psi)
AnodesSplash plate and trim ram anode screws M6 x 16 5.6 N·m (50 lb·in); gearcase trim tab screw 54 N·m (40 lb·ft).
Propeller nut75 N·m (55 lb·ft); bend three retainer tabs
Power trim fluidPower Trim and Steering Fluid or ATF Dexron III. Check tilted full up on the tilt support; about 25 mm (1 in) from the top of the fill neck. Fill cap 1/4 turn until it snaps
Valve lash, coldIN 0.150 to 0.270 mm (0.0059 to 0.0106 in); EX 0.350 to 0.470 mm (0.0137 to 0.0185 in)
Accessory drive beltAutomatic tensioner. Replace if it has slipped on a pulley; inspect for cracks, worn grooves, oil swelling, worn edges. Keep Corrosion Guard off the belt and pulleys

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.

  1. Every 100 hours or once a year

    Replace: engine oil, oil filter, oil drain plug gasket, gear case oil, gear case plug gaskets

    Check: fuel filter, thermostat, anodes

  2. 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: fuel filter, thermostat, anodes

  3. Every 300 hours or 3 years

    Replace: engine oil, oil filter, oil drain plug gasket, spark plugs, fuel filter, gear case oil, gear case plug gaskets, water pump impeller

    Check: 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 200/225/250/275/300, 250 & 300 Pro, 300 CCT Verado FourStroke service manual, 90-8M0082470. Specs can change by model year and serial number, so always confirm your exact model from the serial tag on the clamp bracket.

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