No.

88-1

Advanced Service Information 4. Turn idle speed screw inward (clockwise) until it
“just touches” cam follower, then inward an additional
A. Mercury 15 HP Timing/Synchronizing/Ad- 1/2 turn to slightly open throttle plate.
justing
B. Mercury 15 HP Propellers

A. MERCURY 15 HP
TIMING/SYNCHRONIZING/ADJUSTING
Specifications
a
Horsepower 15
Propshaft Kilowatts 11.2
Piston Displacement 16.0 cu. in. (262cc)
Bore 2.375 in. (60.3mm)
Stroke 1.800 in. (45.7mm)
RPM Range at Full Throttle 5000–6000
b
Idle Speed RPM 700–750 23086
(In “Forward” Gear)
Low Speed Mixture Screw
Maximum Timing (W.O.T.) 36° BTDC (3 Dots)
1. Remove access plug (c) from carburetor air in-
Idle Timing 6° BTDC (2 Dots) take cover (d).
Spark Plug NGK BP8 HS–15
Spark Plug Gap 0.060 in. (1.5mm)
1. Place outboard in water.
2. Check tiller handle cable adjustment for full throttle
movement in both “forward” and “reverse” gears. Ad-
just jam nuts for proper travel and to eliminate any
slack.
d
APPROXIMATE INITIAL CARBURETOR
ADJUSTMENTS c
Idle Speed Screw
1. Shift outboard to “NEUTRAL” and place throttle
twist grip to “SLOW”.
2. Push primer/fast idle knob completely in and rotate
knob fully counterclockwise.
3. Back idle speed screw (a) off of cam follower (b).
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Printed in U.S.A. -1- 88-1 1287

2. Turn low speed mixture screw (e) slowly inward Maximum Timing Adjustment
(clockwise) until it seats lightly, then back screw
1. Connect timing light (91–99379) to No. 1 (top)
out (counterclockwise) 1–1/2 turns (turning mix-
spark plug lead.
ture screw in tight will damage needle and seat).
2. With engine running in “Forward” gear, fully ad-
3. Do not install access plug at this time.
vance throttle to W.O.T. position.
e 3. Adjust maximum spark advance screw (a) to
align the 36° B.T.D.C. timing mark (3 Dots) on fly-
wheel with timing pointer. Tighten jam nut (b) if so
equipped.

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23970

Idle Timing Adjustment

Timing Pointer Location
1. Push primer/fast idle knob completely in and ro-
tate knob fully counterclockwise.
2. With engine running in “Forward” gear, reduce
engine speed to idle.
IMPORTANT: It may be necessary to adjust idle
speed screw to obtain a reasonably stabilized
idle.
3. Adjust idle timing adjustment screw (a) to align
the 6° B.T.D.C. timing mark (2 Dots) on flywheel
with timing pointer.

a
23970
a
a - Timing Pointer

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4. Shift to “Neutral” gear and stop engine.

88-1 1287 -2-

Idle Wire Adjustment
a
1. Push primer/fast idle knob completely in and ro-
tate knob fully counterclockwise.
2. Shift outboard to ”Neutral”.
3. Adjust screw (a) to remove all clearance between
idle wire (b) and trigger.

b
a

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4. Slowly turn low speed mixture screw clockwise

until cylinders fire evenly and engine picks up
23970
speed.
Idle Adjustment 5. Continue turning mixture screw clockwise until
Low Speed Mixture Adjustment too lean a mixture is obtained and engine slows
down and misfires.
1. Start engine and allow to warm up (run for several
minutes). Throttle engine back to idle for about 6. Set low speed mixture screw halfway between
one minute to allow RPM to stabilize. rich and lean.
2. Push primer/fast idle knob completely in and ro- 7. Do not adjust leaner than necessary to attain rea-
tate knob fully counterclockwise. sonably smooth idling. When in doubt, set mix-
ture slightly rich rather than too lean.
3. With engine running at idling speed while in for-
ward gear, turn low speed mixture screw (a) 8. Check for freedom from 4 cycling between idle
counterclockwise until engine starts to ”load up” and 2000 RPM (in forward gear).
or fire unevenly from over–rich mixture.

-3- 88-1 1287

Idle Speed Adjustment B. MERCURY 15 HP PROPELLERS
1. With engine running at idle in forward gear, make The new Mercury 15 HP model has a new line of pro-
sure primer/fast idle knob is pushed completely pellers.
in and rotated fully counterclockwise to stop.
No. of
2. Adjust idle speed screw (b) to obtain an engine Diameter Pitch Blades Material Part Number
idle speed of 700–750 RPM. 9” 10-1/2” 3 Alum. 48-17874A12*
3. Install access plug into opening in carburetor air 9” 9” 3 Alum. 48-42522A12
intake cover. 9-1/4” 7” 3 Alum. 48-42520A12
9-3/4” 6-1/2” 3 Alum. 48-42524A12

* Standard with Engine

IMPORTANT: For fast–easy identification the
pitch and A12 assembly number will be stamped
on the propeller. This Is necessary because the
b 15 HP propellers (A12) have a firmer rubber hub
than the 6–8–9.9 (All) propellers. Other than this
the propellers appear identical and could be in-
advertently interchanged.

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