TABLE OF CONTENTS
READ THIS MANUAL THOROUGHLY
Printed in U.S.A.
If you don't understand any portion, contact your dealer for a
demonstration of actual starting and operating procedures.
2
Boating Safety and Seamanship 4
Operation and Maintenance 5
Water Wisdom 5
High-Performance Boat Operation 6
Conditions Affecting Operation 6
Operation 9
Additional Information 16
20-Hour Break-In Period 16
20-Hour Check-Up 16
Specifications 17
Fuel Requirements 17
Crankcase Oil 18
Maintenance 23
Miscellaneous Maintenance 46
Out of Season Storage 47
Troubleshooting 51
The description and specifications contained herein were in effect at the time this
guide was approved for printing. Mercury Marine, whose policy is one of continuous
improvement, reserves the right to discontinue models at any time, or to change
specifications or designs, without notice and without incurring obligation.
Mercury Marine, Fonddu Lac, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
dl
©1988, Brunswick Corporation
The following are registered trademarks of Brunswick Corporation: Auto-
blend, Jet-prop, Mariner, Mere, MerCathode, MerCruiser, Mercury, Mercury
Marine, Quicksilver, Ride-Guide, and Thruster.
MerCrUlser V6 V8
NOTICE
Throughout this publication, and on your
power package, WARNINGS and
CAUTIONS, accompanied by the Inter-
national HazardSymbol
A, maybe used
to alertthe installer/user tospecialinstruc-
tions concerning a particular service or
operation that may be hazardous if per-
formed incorrectly or carelessly. Observe
them carefully.
These "Safety Alerts" alone cannot elim-
inate the hazards that they signal. Strict
compliance with these special instruc-
tions while performing the service, plus
"common sense" operation, are major
accident prevention measures.
A WARNING
WARNING - Hazardsor unsafe practices
which could result in severe personal
injury or death.
A CAUTION
CAUTION - Hazards or unsafe practices
which could result in minor personal
injury or product or property damage.
IMPORTANT - Indicates information or
instructions that are necessary for proper
operation and/or maintenance.
A WARNING
The operator (driver) is responsible for
the correct and safe operation of the
boat, the equipment aboard and the
safety of all occupants aboard. We
strongly recommend that the operator
read this Operation and Maintenance
Manual and thoroughly understand the
MerCru,ser
V6/V8
operational instructions for the power
package and all related accessories
before the boat is used.
A WARNING
The following advantages and disad-
vantages of an Emergency Stop Switch
(lanyard type) should be considered
before electing to use, or not to use,
such a switch.
ADVANTAGES: The purpose of an
Emergency Stop Switch is to stop the
engine when the operator leaves the
control station, either accidentally by
falling into the boat, or by falling or
being ejected overboard. This is most
likely in certain types of boats such as
low-sided bass boats and high-per-
formance boats. It is also likely as a
result of poor operating practices such
as sitting on the back of the seat at
planing speeds, standing at planing
speeds, operating at high speeds in
shallow or obstacle-infested waters,
drinking and driving, or daring, high-
speed boat maneuvers.
DISADVANTAGES: Inadvertentactiva-
tion of the switch is also a possibility.
This could cause any or all of the follow-
ing potentially hazardous situations:
• Loss of balance and falling forward of
unstable boat passengers - a particular
concern in bow rider type boats.
• Lossof power and directional control
in heavy seas, strong current or high
winds.
• Loss of control when docking.
3
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