X and XR both have a finned top cap. Take extra care if you pull the rear cap to locate the shift arm and o-ring properly,both are slippery little suckers.

The Merc/QS Hi Perf is 90wt https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mercury-92-858064K01-Marine-SAE-90-High-Performance-Gear-Lube-1-quart/54188322?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13= 2847&adid=22222222227043600220&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl 3=86788125409&wl4=aud-430887228898la-193131901489&wl5=9024577&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl 10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=54188322&veh=sem&gclid= CjwKCAiA44LzBRB-EiwA-jJipFVYHQa2WWSDaQORaGeM3umiWZXII8e3dC2IvWkzXkW46CX-UPCm2hoCKhAQAvD_BwE

If you swap to the Merc Racing, then drain the drive completely and have some extra on hand since it is not as readily available if you need to add some.

Thanks all of you for the information!
Is it a big difference between the Merc Quicksilver and Merc Racing oil?

Wich one is best for my setup?
Both is available to buy here in Sweden.
The Bravo One XR drive is specified in the Merc Racing oil.

My opinion
QS is a mix of dino and synthetic lube, racing is 100% synthetic
Most like synthetic
Many of the high HP guys use AMSOIL extreme lube
Depends on your app, if your puhsing a lot of HP suggest Syn otherwise either will work
I use both, runabout QS and Cruiser Racing

I have the Merc 496 HO, so it is not that much horsepower. But it sounds like the Merc Racing is better so I think I go with that.

Completely drain all the oil out from the reservoir tank system in the engine compartment too and fill it upp with new fresh oil in the reservoir and the drive.

I found a serial number right beside the engine serial number.




Its hard to see what number it is, but I think it is 0W293253. When I search after this number it tells me the drive is a Bravo 3 gear ratio 2:1.

Ive been told my drive is a Bravo 1 X/or XR.
With a sportmaster lower.




How do I calculate the gear ratio without removing the top cap and count the gears?

Is it possible to rotate the engine clockwise with forward gear and look how the prop moves, and then calculate the gear ratio?

Very thankfull for answers!

Looks like the serial number right here, circled.

Yes, Mark the crank pulley and prop.
Locate the slave relay and remove the plastic cover from the top terminals
Place in gear, and jump across the top terminals this will engage starter.
Let motor rotate 10 times to get a better count

Theres no serial number there. Its new decals only where you can write the serial number.

Thank you, will test this and se if I do it right.

I must know the gear ratio to be able to choose the right prop when testing.
I have calculated the prop slip with the data I collected from the last run:

~ 50 mph
~ 4800-5000 rpm (Merc 496 Mag Ho)
Boat weight ~5500 lbs
Bravo 26p prop

With 1,50:1 in ratio I get ~35% prop slip, which is very much.
If I count with Bravo 3 ratio 2:1, I get ~13% prop slip..

I dont think your 4th octet is a 9..........might be 203253 ?