Mercury Inline Oil Filter – 35-8M0207786

Inside every Optimax, Pro XS, or Racing two-stroke, oil is pumped at high pressure to keep pistons alive at 6,000 rpm. This little inline filter is the gatekeeper. Housed in a tough, fuel-resistant polymer canister and stamped with the part number right on the shell, it slips between the oil tank line and the engine’s mixing manifold on 65-300 hp DFI outboards (serial 0T599000 & up). A fine-mesh stainless screen traps varnish flakes and water droplets before they can clog the tiny metering orifices that feed each cylinder. The result? Consistent oil ratio, cleaner plugs, happier bearings.

Why keep a couple on board:

• Direct OEM fit—¼″ barbed ends seat firmly in Mercury blue hose, no clamps required.

• Compact 2.2 in. length tucks neatly under the cowling; arrow shows flow direction at a glance.

• 20-micron stainless media resists collapse during cold starts and high-ambient runs.

• Supersedes 8M0042285 and installs in minutes with nothing more than side-cutters and a zip-tie.

Swap this filter every 100 hours or at winter lay-up and your Optimax will thank you with crisp throttle response and fewer “Check Oil” beeps next season.