Newb question about maitenance manuals

[Holty]

Newb type question so i felt this was the appropriate section.

I recently purchased a new to me 2012 250 SLX and i'm having a hard time location documentation for how features of the boat function and maintenance of the boat.

For example, i was able to obtain a very brief 6 page "owners manual" from Sea Ray's site as well as a very comprehensive multi-document "parts list". The owners manual is virtually useless.

What i'm looking for is material that would explain to me how to care for the engine and outdrive, as well as things such as the fresh water system or the head. At this point, i have no idea how to determine how much oil the engine takes or which viscosity Mercury is recommending. Let alone what the service intervals should be.

Can anyone help point me in the right direction? :huh:

Thanks!

 

[Lazy Daze]

Are you sure the PO didn't provide the original owner's packet? It would actually have quite a lot of information - all in a nice briefcase. As far as the engine goes, though, that information would be available from Merc. However, there would have been a Merc owner's manual in the briefcase, as well (not a service manual). But it would have most of the information that most owners would want.

In lieu of any of that, there is a TON of excellent information on this forum - a little bit of searching will get you lot's and lot's of reading material.

 

[Holty]

Thanks for the quick response. The boat did come with the owners packet / breifcase but didn't come with any real usable documentation.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Hmmm. I haven't actually looked in one in quite some time. But the last time I did, I recall seeing all type of manuals and literature. I wonder if some got misplaced during the previous ownership. It's a shame that at least the Merc owner's manual wasn't in there as I'm pretty sure that it, at least, should have been. But, that's a moot point. I don't think you can download a Merc owner's manual for free as Merc charges for it. But with enough googling, maybe you can find it.

But, I believe your engine holds about 8 or 9 qts. I never really worry about it, though, as it's best to fill it back up according the dipstick level. Being a 2012, you should have a catalyst engine, right? Make sure you use the Merc synthetic blend oil. I'm sure there are other good oils out there, but it's not something I've ever really researched to say one way or the other - especially since it's a once a year thing. I've always used the Merc stuff... but then I have very easy access to it! FYI, outside of a Merc store, you can get the same thing labelled as "Quiksilver", but it's usually the same price.