MerCruiser Oil Filters

Mercury MerCruiser Oil Filters - Resources and Information

MerCruiser oil filter replacements are among the most common repairs you’ll make to your MerCruiser engine. For this reason, PartsVu offers a wide range of filters to fit your specific model and year of MerCruiser 2-stroke outboard motors, MerCruiser motors, and sterndrive models. Best of all, we offer fast same-day shipping and the lowest prices you’ll find for Mercury MerCruiser filters. 

Unsure of how often your MerCruiser filters need changing? Check out our helpful Mercury Outboard Service Schedule (MerCruiser uses the same intervals as standard Mercury engines). And to help you find the right Mercruiser filter parts and MerCruiser oil filter charts, check out some of our helpful MerCruiser resources:

• MerCruiser Inboard Maintenance
• MerCruiser Maintenance Parts Library
• Mercury Outboard and Mercruiser Resources Collection

Mercury MerCruiser Filters FAQ

How do I perform maintenance for my Mercury MerCruiser motor?

As you may know, MerCruiser fuel filters and oil filters need to be regularly changed during the lifespan of owning your motor. There are also regular maintenance intervals that must be met for Mercury outboard engines, including 20-hour service, every 100 hours, 300 hours, 500 hours, and so forth. Failure to service your MerCruiser can result in poor performance, engine failure, and voiding of your Mercury MerCruiser warranty. 

The following is Mercury’s maintenance schedule for 100 hour and 300 hour maintenance intervals, including external engine maintenance and all other required tasks: 

100 Hours/1 Year

300 Hours/3 Years

How do you perform a MerCruiser motor oil change?

Performing needed maintenance in a timely manner on your MerCruiser is the key to its overall longevity and reliability. The procedure isn’t complicated but can get messy if you don’t know what you’re doing. 

1. Loosen your oil filter to help vent the system.
2. Remove your dipstick, insert your oil pump, and once your oil pump is inserted into the dipstick tube, pull the oil out into your oil capture container.
3. Remove the old oil filter the rest of the way.
4. Prep the new filter for installation by applying a light film of oil onto the face seal of the Mercruiser marine oil filter.
5. Thread the oil filter onto the oil filter mount and hand tighten.
6. Remove your Mercruiser’s fill cap and insert your funnel to prepare to add the new oil.
7. Fill the engine with the recommended oil with the proper quantity of oil—4.5 liters for a 4.5L sterndrive and 4.7 liters for a 6.2L sterndrive. We recommend using Mercury 25W-40 Synthetic Blend Oil; however, you can use Mercury 25W-40 oil.
8. It’s a good idea to run the engine with the proper water supply to check for any leaks and make sure that the proper oil level is maintained.
9. For more detailed information regarding these maintenance steps and to verify any details that may pertain to your specific engine model, please refer to your Mercury Mercruiser owner’s manual.

To avoid a big mess, use one of our Mercury MerCruiser Oil Change Kits to perform a quick and easy MerCruiser oil change.

Are all MerCruiser oil filters the same?

No, not all MerCruiser parts are created equal - and MerCruiser oil filters are no exception. Only OEM MerCruiser oil filters and Mercury Quicksilver oil filters

are manufactured specifically to protect MerCruiser engines, using the finest components and construction methods available. This includes using special filter media and metal filter media bases (instead of cardboard), to create oil filters capable of greater durability and filtration. From the quality of the materials used to their high-quality construction, MerCruiser oil filters outperform and out-protect aftermarket marine engine oil filter alternatives.

Can I use automotive engine oil in my MerCruiser engine?

No, you should never use automotive engine oil as a replacement for MerCruiser marine engine oil. Your MerCruiser, including both Mercury MerCruiser and Mercury MerCruiser 2-stroke outboards, is built to different tolerances and an aquatic environment that typical automotive engines are not designed for, so the oil that is formulated for automobile engines will not work in marine engines. These automotive oils will not work well with MerCruiser oil filters, either, creating poor flow and absorbing moisture that leads to corrosion and gummy deposits throughout the internal components of your engine. 

Instead, only use motor oil formulated for the specific conditions of marine environments and rated for the specifications of your Mercury Mercruiser.

How do I select the right parts for my MerCruiser engines?

PartsVu’s Mercury MerCruiser Maintenance Parts Library is the perfect reference when you need to replace common parts for MerCruiser performance upgrades. That’s because these MerCruiser performance parts charts make it simple to find the right parts for your particular engine to perform regularly-scheduled maintenance. Additionally, find your MerCruiser engine diagram in your MerCruiser Owner’s Manual - an invaluable resource when choosing the right parts and repairing your outboard. 

For MerCruiser motors, the first maintenance interval comes at 20 hours, then you’ll perform maintenance after 100 hours of service or one year of operation (whichever comes first). More extensive service is recommended after reaching 300 hours of service or three years, so the 100 hours addresses components that receive more wear and tear (such as fuel filters and oil filters).

After this period, maintenance is often more regular as the engine ages and parts wear out. For example, 1,000 hours generally requires an in-depth assessment by a qualified mechanic. Also, if you’re usually running your Mercury outboard in a more demanding manner, the manufacturer recommends more frequent servicing.

When selecting the correct Mercury Outboard Parts, there are some essential things every boater must keep in mind before purchasing and installing parts:

• Choosing MerCruiser OEM parts (original equipment manufacturer) over after-market parts often yields better long-term results for your engine as these components and products are specifically designed to meet the precise tolerances of Mercury engines.

• Check (and recheck) to ensure that you have the exact part number that matches your Mercury outboard engine. It’s important to do this because Mercury has many MerCruiser engine models that look very similar but contain slight differences in performance. For example, a MerCruiser 5.0 oil filter will not work for a MerCruiser 3.0 oil filter, nor will a MerCruiser 5.0 MPI oil filter fit other 5.0 MerCruiser oil filters. Unmatched parts may not fit uniformly, leading to malfunctions, underperformance, and severe engine damage. 

• Proper maintenance is essential when it comes to extending the life of your Mercury outboard motor and should always be mandatory to retain the value of your outboard motor. While Mercury outboards are built to last, hazards like salt water, humidity, excessive heat, electrolysis, and demanding usage eventually take their toll on your motor.

• Proper storage for your Mercury outboard is required to preserve your motor for the long term. Failure to properly winterize your Mercury outboard can cause components to degrade while the engine sits and is exposed to the elements. Therefore, properly store your outboard when it is not in use.