2022 Mercury 2.5MH FourStroke

This used 2022 Mercury 2.5MH FourStroke is a 41-pound, single-cylinder outboard with a 15-inch shaft, a 360-degree tiller, and manual pull-cord starting, built for aluminum tiller, utility, sail, inflatable, and jon boats.

A few things specific to this engine

Unlike larger Mercury outboards with forward-neutral-reverse shifting, this small engine only shifts between forward and neutral, so plan docking and maneuvering without reverse. The trim system is manual with four tilt positions, and exhaust exits above the propeller rather than through it, which is typical for an engine this small.

Fuel and cooling

This model draws fuel through a carburetor rather than injection, and Mercury specifies 87 octane gas, allowing up to 10 percent ethanol, along with a water-cooled, thermostat-controlled system to manage engine temperature. Full throttle tops out at 6000 RPM, with an integrated fuel tank of 0.3 gallons (1.1 liters) backing it up.

What to check on a small used outboard

On a carbureted engine this size, a rough idle or hard restart after sitting is usually a fuel issue rather than anything mechanical, so running it on fresh fuel and letting it warm up fully before judging how it performs is a reasonable first step with any used unit like this one.

Condition and coverage

As a pre-owned motor, expect it to show signs of its service history rather than look brand new. Coverage is Mercury's standard three-year limited warranty, topped up with the two-year Product Protection Gold plan on top. It is finished in Phantom Black.