Section 5 - Maintenance
90-8M0069751 eng APRIL 2012 Page 75
10. If the boat is in the water, perform an operational inspection of the seawater cooling system.
a. Open the seacock, if equipped, or remove the plug and reconnect the seawater inlet hose.
b. Start the engine and allow the seawater system to be filled and the engine to reach normal operating temperature.
c. Check the seawater cooling system for leaks within an RPM range of 600 to 1400 RPM.
d. Carefully monitor the engine's operating temperature to ensure that it remains in normal operational range and that
the seawater cooling system is functioning properly.
Flushing the Seawater System—Alpha Sterndrives
IMPORTANT: Your Mercury Alpha sterndrive power package has the sterndrive‑to‑engine seawater supply port blocked off at
the gimbal housing and uses an alternative seawater inlet to supply cooling water for the engine. When flushing the seawater
system a supply of cooling water must be provided to both the sterndrive and the engine during operation.
You must flush the seawater system with fresh water periodically when operating in saltwater, brackish water, polluted water, or
water with a high mineral content. We recommend flushing the seawater system after each outing when operating under these
conditions. Always flush the seawater system after operating in saltwater and prior to placing the boat in storage. See Routine
and Schedule Maintenance section of this manual.
!
WARNING
Rotating propellers can cause serious injury or death. Never operate the boat out of the water with a propeller installed.
Before installing or removing a propeller, place the drive unit in neutral and engage the lanyard stop switch to prevent the
engine from starting. Place a block of wood between the propeller blade and the anti‑ventilation plate.
1.
Drain the seawater section of the cooling system. See Draining the Seawater System.
2.
If flushing the seawater system with the boat in the water:
a. Close the seacock, if equipped, or disconnect and plug the seawater inlet hose.
a - Seacock
b - Seawater inlet hose
c - Plug
b. Raise the sterndrive to trailer position.
a
b
c
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