Mercury 225 Optimax - disconnecting fuel and oil lines

[Bjohnson]

The rigging hose on my boat (from the deck to the outboard) that routes the cables and hoses is something I want to swap over for a new item.

Can the fuel and oil lines be simply disconnected or do they need to be de-pressurised in some way first? Any recommendations to clamp them or simply disconnect and insert a temporary bung to prevent leakage and mess? (Probably cannot clamp the fuel line as too thick)

Probably a job for the winter, but I like to think these jobs through in advance.

Tips appreciated.

Thanks

[Jeff]

Opening the remote oil reservoir will relieve any pressure left in the oil system. ,,, on recommissioning you are supposed to prime the oil system & this needs a mercury dealer with the diagnostic kit. You can do a manual prime via the throttle (details in the manual ,, ) but this puts the engine into break in mode which adds extra oil (for around 20hrs subject to engine load)

[Hydro17]

To prime the oil reservoir you don't need a dealer... Start the engine, undo the cap of the reservoir on the side of the engine a bit so it can air out but do not remove it and when full/flowing over just tighten it and you're ok. Be careful with the cap so you don't tighten it too much - you will harm the threading of the plastic and it will not seal properly.

(I owned a Mercury Racing Optimax 200xs for 9 years)

[Bjohnson]

Thanks for the replies. I’ll release pressure in the remote tank.

I’ve previously done a ‘bleeding’ exercise for the engine mounted tank as its now part of my engine checks and tweaks.

Useful to check this, i didn’t want to disconnect a oil (or fuel) hose and have a fluid explosion !!!