4 stroke oil change tip.
 

When changing oil in a 4 stroke, be sure to tilt the motor up and leave it for
a while before tilting it back level and draining it. Oil will be held up in
the pistons if you don't. Depending on model you might be as much as a half
pint overfilled if you leave the oil up in the pistons.

4 stroke oil change tip.
 

4 stroke oil change tip.
 

There shouldnt be oil in the pistons though .... If it is, your motor is
toast


Why is that? The pistons are open on the bottom, which is really the side in an
outboard. Oil splashes around everywhere and it can drain down in these piston
wells if the engine is trimmed down when you turn it off.

BTW I didn't make this up, Mercury says it in a service bulletin according to
my dealer.

4 stroke oil change tip.