Section 5 - Maintenance 
Page  74 90-899883179   OCTOBER  2007
IMPORTANT:  Alpha  engines  with  the  sterndrive  water  inlet  blocked  off  at  the  gimbal
housing, and using a through the hull water inlet, need a supply of cooling water available
to both the sterndrive unit and to the engine during operation
Flushing Attachments
Flushing Device 91‑44357Q 2
Attaches to the water intakes; provides a fresh water
connection when flushing the cooling system or operating the
engine.
Dual Water Pick‑up Flush Gearcase Seal Kit 91‑881150K 1
Blocks off the front water inlet holes on the dual water inlet
gearcases.
Sterndrive Water Pickups
There are two types of water pickups available on Mercury MerCruiser sterndrives: dual
water, and side pickups. Dual water pickups require the flushing attachment (44357Q 2)
and  the  flush  seal  kit  (881150K  1),  and  side  pickups  require  the  flushing  attachment
(44357Q 2).
5752
5773
Dual Water Pickup
Side Pickup
NOTE:  Flushing  is  needed  only  for  salty,  brackish,  mineral  laden  or  polluted  water
applications. Flushing is recommended after each outing for best results.