NEW MERCURY 20HP INITIAL REVIEW AND BREAK-IN PROCEDURE!!!!

This is my 2023 mercury 20hp EH EFI short shaft outboard. Just an initial review explaining a few things about the outboard and its break-in procedure. Overall, it has exceeded my expectations and surprised myself with its performance. The engine light was just something small and didn't have any major effect with the outboard or its performance. Hopefully this video helped answer any questions and guides you into buying your next outboard!

[@jerryallen862]

Enjoyed your video I have the very same 20hp motor have had great service out of the only problem it fouled a plug and would run slow and ruff. Changed plugs and it ran great . This happened after two years of use . I don’t run it a lot when I go fishing just from the ramp to the fishing spot. I crappie fish at night maybe 20 minutes on a total fishing trip . I probably need to run it a little more . I’m sure you will get good service.

[@kylevtec1280]

Thanks for the video brother, I just bought the same motor

[@ironix1]

Great video with lots of useful information. Excellent.

[@frpiner]

The manual states you must run the engine at idle while flushing to open the thermostat to get a complete flush.

[@CfRlCajunfishRiplips]

I bought the outgoing model 20 to this one. My local dealer had it in the back had to get the dust off the box lol. Mine is a long shaft, power tilt, electric start. Just made 216hrs at 3 years old. Not one issue with Preforming normal maintenance and running it year round. 15ft Alweld marsh series tunnel haul is what I have it on. 24mph with 9 pitch SS prop. I’m sure this EFI would be a little quicker. Went with the 20hp to enter WLM areas with HP restrictions. Good luck and Nice video

[@ia6980]

Any issues with electric start?

[@CfRlCajunfishRiplips]

@@ia6980 no issue. I just hit 285hrs since I posted this comment.

[@js-wq6zy]

Great little Tohatsu relabelled as a Merc...

[@arwoutdoors]

Yep. Pretty much 😂

[@BrianVanLoocke]

Same manufacture but the controls on the Merc tiller are much better with the shift lever location.

[@rebeldrummer1996]

​@@BrianVanLoocketohatsu now has shift lever in same spot

[@Cbill1987]

Great video

[@joej.4170]

I have the same motor only in the 25hp. 2023 model, Manual start, manual tilt. Question: The tilt lock lever on the left side allows to manually lock or unlock. When you put the motor in forward gear does it unlock the tilt, so when you hit an object, the motor would tilt forward so it doesn't hurt the lower unit. When you put in reverse does it lock the motor so it wouldn't pull itself out of the water? Mine doesnt do this which is concerning, every other outboard I have owned it automatically locks or unlocks the tilt depending on which gear (forward / reverse).

[@Burner-t5j]

Hey man I have the same motor . What was the engine light issue mine came on today on the water today at full throttle I cut it off then started it back up and it was no longer on and the motor was acting fine I was just curious what your issue was

[@arwoutdoors]

I believe my light was on due to high oil pressure. I checked it a few times and it was just a touch too full which never concerned me at the time with the engine light issue. I changed the oil its at a better level. The light has never come back on for me. It’s run well ever since!

[@Burner-t5j]

@@arwoutdoors ok thanks man I appreciate it

[@armyjake99]

I have the same motor and it’s doing the same thing randomly. Maybe they are sending them out with a touch to much oil in them? I turn it off and back on and it’s gtg. I thought It was a temp issue at first, scared the crap outta me lol.

[@galactictomato1434]

​@@armyjake99Well it's the dealer who fills it with oil.

[@louie1476]

How does it compare to an old 25hp 2 stroke to plan out ?

[@cowboysnation1594]

Did you have to put oil or grease on anything? When you unboxed it? Or did they come ready to break in?

[@arwoutdoors]

The dealer I picked it up from got it water ready for me. I believe it comes greased and with gear lube already in the lower unit so you should only have to put oil in it. If you do order the motor and have it shipped directly to you, I would check all the fluids and the levels before starting it or taking it out onto the water!

[@cowboysnation1594]

@@arwoutdoors ok ok sound good thank you.

[@robbyhowell8668]

Its okay my guy. That rock hit hurt my feelings

[@arwoutdoors]

Feels bad 😭

[@robbyhowell8668]

You got to go stainless steel skeg guard all the way and stainless prop. yes stainless prop will put more force into the lower unit gears on impact but if your around oysters or rock its necessary. There is nothing worse than trading paint paint with a piece of lime stone @@arwoutdoors

[@grandcrappy]

I think a good alternative to a probable higher-maintenance, reduced reliability of a three-person jet ski.

[@dorothyburress6149]

I nave the motor 20 hp mer elec start was told it' not console compatible what say you?

[@brianvelasquez7430]

Just got that motor from my local dealer How fast would it go on my 14ft sea nymph aluminum boat I used to run a 9.9 Merc 4 stroke and pushed me about 17mph

[@arwoutdoors]

@@brianvelasquez7430 depends how heavy your load is. I would get 20-22mph with two guys and loaded with gear in a 16ft boat. I’d assume you’d be around 30-35 fairly easy

[@brianvelasquez7430]

How many feet wide is your boat from the video

[@arwoutdoors]

@@brianvelasquez7430 48” in the back 56” in the middle I believe. I no longer have the boat or motor

[@anthonyxerri5919]

Will the tiller handle go in the center It’s goin on a sailboat

[@arwoutdoors]

Yes! You can adjust the tiller handle around very easily to which ever direction you prefer

[@johnmalinowski4405]

I love mine but mine only came with a 3 gallon

[@GurpreetSingh-op3ie]

I have same motor, I think you should run the motor when washing it with fresh water?

[@arwoutdoors]

I was told by my dealer not to run the motor when flushing through the port on the side for the hose. With muffs, it’s perfectly ok to run the motor!

[@gurpreetsingh4863]

@@arwoutdoors I doubt it, manual doesn't say anything particularly about water intake. Please double check it.

[@arwoutdoors]

@@gurpreetsingh4863 hey man. Just goin by my dealers recommendation. It’s more on the safe side too

[@cowboysnation1594]

I’m getting smoke from the central hole from a mercury 20hp what can it be?

[@knightsy55]

You must run the engine while flushing with the screw in attachment otherwise the thermo will not open

[@FBIOPENUP993]

Is there an option to have a power trim

[@arwoutdoors]

@@FBIOPENUP993 I don’t believe the 20hp motor has the option. I believe the option for power trim begins with the 25hp motors

[@FBIOPENUP993]

@@arwoutdoors I think there’s an option for a power trim for motors 15hp+

[@omahaomaha8694]

Did you ever figure out the problem on the oil light coming on ??

[@arwoutdoors]

@@omahaomaha8694 just a little too much oil in the engine. Changed it and made sure it was at the proper level and it fixed the problem right away!

[@Freedo1234]

Is it hand started or electric start as option ?

[@arwoutdoors]

@@Freedo1234 electric start and has pull start as backup

[@PublicLandAntlerPursuit]

Does these motors have a physical key for the electric start

[@arwoutdoors]

Nope! Just need a simple kill switch which comes with the motor!

[@ia6980]

Any regrets of not getting electric start? Trying to decide with electric and power tilt, but its heavier, at 116lb, which will be difficult to maneuver...any thoughts? Thanks

[@arwoutdoors]

It has electric and pull start!

[@grandcrappy]

Good motor for a small boat.

[@grasser82]

What year is this motor I have been looking at a 25 or 30 and they don't seem to have pull start

[@arwoutdoors]

It is a 2023. They come with just pull start or you can get them with both. Very nice to have both options!

[@grasser82]

@@arwoutdoors I just had another guy tell me they are electric only to reduce weight?

[@arwoutdoors]

@@grasser82 I don’t believe that is correct, but if you have questions you need answered, check with your local Mercury dealer 😁

[@rbruce63]

I would like to ascertain how will this motor run on my 11' Boston Whaler Sport 11 short shaft with 4 people. My 1969 Chrysler 20HP seems taxed and cannot put the boat on plane with the 8-1/2" X 8-1/2" prop and four adults...It does with two adults!

[@arwoutdoors]

I myself have had a couple older 2 strokes from the 60s and 70s and the power and torque this motor produces really surprised me compared to those motors that I had. 4 people in an 11’ boat is quite heavy and it may take more HP to get it to plane out. With less people in the boat, you should absolutely fly in a Boston whaler using this motor

[@rbruce63]

@@arwoutdoors Thank you very much for your earnest answer! I will look into these modern motors indeed!

[@loco4dogg]

@@rbruce63 No mixed gas, no carb, it's the way to go.

[@rbruce63]

@@loco4dogg 4-stroke is too heavy for my boat. E-tec is too expensive for my boat." I think we're going to need a bigger boat!"

[@sbauroth]

11Ft 1975 Whaler Sport with a 2021 Merc. It MOVES! Like really MOVES! Even with 2 adults and 2 kids aboard. I've caught a few larger boats off guard a few times with the speed.

[@trystanthomas3701]

Can I run it with water muffs on doesn’t seem to pump water unless it’s fully submerged

[@arwoutdoors]

Make sure the muffs have a decent seal around the water intake screens or turn up your water pressure going through the muffs. I’ve had this issue before but those tricks seem to help! Shouldn’t have to fully submerge it to get water pumping through it.

[@alpha-male1959]

How many pulls does it take you to start yours.. I have the same motor and it takes 4-5 pulls to get it started ..seems like a lot for efi? I had a Suzuki efi and it only took 2 pulls max Thanks

[@arwoutdoors]

2-3 pulls when it’s cold, warmed up it’s usually always 1. Typically I just use the electric start though 👍

[@alpha-male1959]

Awesome Thanks for the quick reply 👍

[@davidwright3620]

I have the same problem with my 2021 20hp EFI. 4 pulls to start! I’ve cleaned filters, new fuel pump and I’m just about to install new fuel injectors. It runs great, but I’ve brought it to 2 mercury marine mechanics and spent $500 so far and still no solution. Hope new fuel injectors do the trick. Anyone else with this problem?

[@davidwright3620]

I had exact same problem. I replaced the 2 fuel injectors (very easy do it yourself) and now 1 or 2 pulls to start.

[@aaronalto3034]

@@davidwright3620 Warranty didn't cover that? I'm close to buying one. She still going strong? Thanks

[@rolandovivas6923]

It is a interesting video... VERY USEFUL... Please could it be in SPANISH?

[@davidwright3620]

My 20hp EFI will only start after 4 pulls. Always. Driving me nuts. Replaced fuel, plugs, fuel pump, fuel tank and line. Runs amazing…just never easy start. Going to replace fuel injectors tomorrow. Should these motors not start first or second pull?

[@arwoutdoors]

Usually always starts second or third pull for me when I don’t use the electric start and the engine is cold. When the engine is warmed up, it has always started first pull for me. Sorry to hear you’re having issues! What year is yours?

[@davidwright3620]

Today I installed 2 new fuel injectors and it solved the 4-pull start problem. Now it starts after 1-2 pulls. But my shut-off and kill switch both stopped working so I had to pull spark plug caps off to turn it off. Ugh.

[@mattioder]

How slow can you troll?

[@arwoutdoors]

1.5-3mph depending on how many people and how much gear I have in the boat

[@loco4dogg]

Re-read step three please, it says only to avoid full throttle for more than 5 minutes at a time, not that you need to run at full throttle for 5 minutes.

[@arwoutdoors]

Totally optional for the user! Running up to full throttle for up to 5 minutes in step 3 is going to give the best results to get a good hot seal on your gaskets, which is incredibly important. You don’t have to, but it is just my recommendation!

[@loco4dogg]

@@arwoutdoors Sure is, just saying it's not a requirement from Merc. They won't be coming back at you on a warranty issue if you don't do what they didn't recommend.

[@anthonyxerri5919]

your light is probably coming on because of rev limiter ....that means you need a bigger prop

[@arwoutdoors]

Actually, I got it figured out shortly after I posted the video! It wasn’t anything serious and it hasn’t had any problems since! No bigger prop needed!

[@burlenthompson4918]

It is not the latest 20hp ever made that was Yamaha in the 1990s at 68lb Evinrude made a 20 that was 77lb