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Mercury Verado 200 to 400 / 400R (L6) service guide

Oil, gear oil, spark plugs and the service schedule for the Mercury Verado 200 to 400 / 400R (L6) (200 to 400 hp, four-stroke), from the factory service manual, plus how we service it in Hawaiʻi.

Models covered: Verado L6, 2.6 L supercharged inline 6: 200, 225, 250, 275, 300, 350, 400 and 400R. Starting serials: 200 to 300 from 2B144123; 350 and 400R from 2B141124; 400 from 2B618256. Older L6 Verados (0T980000 and up) use the Verado 200 to 300 (6 cylinder) sheet.

Quick answers

How much oil does a Mercury Verado 200 to 400 / 400R take?
About 7.0 L (7.4 US qt) at an oil change; 8.0 L (8.4 US qt) dry.
What engine oil does a Mercury Verado 200 to 400 / 400R use?
400R: Mercury 25W-50 NMMA FC-W Marine Semi Synthetic. All others: Mercury 25W-40 NMMA FC-W Catalyst Compatible Marine Semi Synthetic.
What gear oil does a Mercury Verado 200 to 400 / 400R use, and how much?
High Performance Gear Lubricant. Quantity: 4.8 in. RH and LH: 970 ml (32.8 fl oz). 5.44 in. non-HD: 850 ml (28.7 fl oz). 5.44 in. HD: 510 ml (17.2 fl oz). Sport Master: 620 ml (20.9 fl oz).
What spark plug does a Mercury Verado 200 to 400 / 400R use?
NGK ILFR6G or ILFR6GE, 16 mm hex. Gap: 0.8 mm (0.031 in.).
How often should a Mercury Verado 200 to 400 / 400R be serviced?
The factory schedule lists: Every 100 hours or once a year; Every 300 hours or 3 years; Every 600 hours (400/400R only). 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 to 400 / 400R?
The factory schedule says to replace it at 300 hours and 600 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 to 400 / 400R?
550 r/min in neutral (350 and 400R: 600 r/min).
What is the propeller nut torque on a Mercury Verado 200 to 400 / 400R?
Flo-Torq II solid hub (200 to 300 non-HD): 75 N·m (55.3 lb·ft) without a hub bushing, 136 N·m (100 lb·ft) with one. HD hubs: 75 N·m (55.3 lb·ft).

Maintenance specs

Engine oil400R: Mercury 25W-50 NMMA FC-W Marine Semi Synthetic. All others: Mercury 25W-40 NMMA FC-W Catalyst Compatible Marine Semi Synthetic
Engine oil quantityAbout 7.0 L (7.4 US qt) at an oil change; 8.0 L (8.4 US qt) dry
Oil filterPart 877769K01. Oil the gasket, then 3/4 to 1 turn after it touches
Oil drain plug10 N·m (88.5 lb·in). Under the port splash plate; use drain funnel 91892866A01, or the pump method (preferred on XXL)
Gear lubricantHigh Performance Gear Lubricant
Gearcase capacity4.8 in. RH and LH: 970 ml (32.8 fl oz). 5.44 in. non-HD: 850 ml (28.7 fl oz). 5.44 in. HD: 510 ml (17.2 fl oz). Sport Master: 620 ml (20.9 fl oz)
Gear fill and vent plugs4.8 in.: 6.7 N·m (60 lb·in). 5.44 in., HD and Sport Master: 11.3 N·m (100 lb·in)
Gear housing pressure test103.4 kPa (15 psi), 5 minutes without leakage, no lube
Spark plugNGK ILFR6G or ILFR6GE, 16 mm hex
Spark plug gap0.8 mm (0.031 in.)
Spark plug torque27 N·m (20 lb·ft), or finger tight plus 1/4 turn. Pencil coil screw 8 N·m (71 lb·in)
Idle speed550 r/min in neutral (350 and 400R: 600 r/min)
ThermostatsEngine block thermostat opens at 60 °C (140 °F); oil module (IOM) thermostat opens at 105 °C (221 °F)
Water pressure600 r/min 6.9 to 20.5 kPa (1 to 3 psi). 6000 r/min: 60 to 150 kPa (8.7 to 21.7 psi) warm water or slow boat; 100 to 260 kPa (14.5 to 37.8 psi) cold water or fast boat. Poppet opens 27.6 to 62.0 kPa (4 to 9 psi)
Anode screwsTrim tab / anodic plate screw 54 N·m (40 lb·ft). Pedestal, deflector and trim anodes M6 x 16 5.6 N·m (50 lb·in). The Sport Master has no side anodes
Propeller nutFlo-Torq II solid hub (200 to 300 non-HD): 75 N·m (55.3 lb·ft) without a hub bushing, 136 N·m (100 lb·ft) with one. HD hubs: 75 N·m (55.3 lb·ft)
Power trim fluidPower Trim and Steering Fluid or ATF Dexron III. On the tilt support; about 25 mm (1 in.) below the top of the fill neck; cap 1/4 turn only
Valve lash clearanceIN 0.140 to 0.240 mm (0.0055 to 0.0094 in.); EX 0.350 to 0.450 mm (0.0138 to 0.0177 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.

  1. Every 100 hours or once a year

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

    Check: spark plugs, 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, fuel filter, gear case oil, gear case plug gaskets, water pump impeller

    Check: spark plugs, thermostat, anodes

  3. Every 300 hours or 3 years

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

    Check: spark plugs, thermostat, anodes

  4. Every 600 hours (400/400R only)

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

    Check: spark plugs, 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 Verado 200-400 and 400R service manual, 90-8M0133008. 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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