Priming a 2006 Mercury 250xs

[maineidyl]

Getting ready to start a new to me 2006 Mercury 250xs with 355 hrs. Motor has been off the previous boat for 3 to 4 months. The oil reservoir has been full. Lines were off motor and wrapped up around the external tank. I have mounted the motor, reinstalled the two lines and ready to start. Some people have told me I must prime the motor at a Mercury dealer before starting. Others have said to run premix, just run it normal or put the motor in to break in mode. Is the break in mode 120 minutes? Any help is appreciated.

TIA
Tom

[rock]

If the only lines off motor were the signal and supply lines you are probably safe. If you want to check pump and don't mind the break in it is as simple as cycling the neutral safety switch.

Rock

[flabum1017]

Since the tank on the motor is still full of oil, you should not have to prime anything.... I know of people who let their boats sit longer than 4 months..... just hit the fuel primer and start it up..... any air in the oil lines from the boat tank to the engine tank will end up in the engine tank..... while it is running, loosen the vent plug on the engine tank and let it fill up then re-secure the plug

[XstreamVking]

You do need to prime the fuel system. Hit the primer bulb till firm. Turn the key on. Wait 10 secs and repeat several times to ensure that the fuel system is full and pressurized. Never put premix in an opti!

[maineidyl]

The premix suggestion was crazy. Just mentioned to show the variety of info received. Just don’t want to blow up first time I start it. Going from a 1982 Black Max 200 to a Optimax is a big change for me.
Tom

[Motv18]

Prime if not ran over 6 months just to bust up varnish. If it has the clear oil lines look for air bubbles on the compressor, main feeds, and misters. If you see air prime it with the break in or see a dealer to run the prime.

Might as as well change the air fuel and oil filter on engine anyway and just prime everything also mist the top of the piston and rotate the engine by hand. Many never do the oil filter but small bugs crawl in the duck valve and make it there every once in a while. A few never change the compressor filter either