Operation; Pre-Starting Check List; Operating In Freezing Temperatures; Operating In Salt Water Or Polluted Water - Mercury 140 Manual

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OPERATION

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PRE-STARTING CHECK LIST

j Operator knows safe navigation, boating, and operating procedures.
j An approved personal flotation device of suitable size for each person aboard
and readily accessible (it is the law).
j A ring type life buoy or buoyant cushion designed to be thrown to a person in
the water.
j Know your boats maximum load capacity. Look at the boat capacity plate.
j Fuel supply OK.
j Oil supply (oil injection) OK.
j Arrange passengers and load in the boat so the weight is distributed evenly and
everyone is seated in a proper seat.
j Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.
j It is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
j Know the waters and area you will be boating; tides, currents, sand bars, rocks,
and other hazards.
j Make inspection checks listed in the Inspection and Maintenance Schedule.
Refer to Maintenance Section.
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OPERATING IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES

When using your outboard or having your outboard moored in freezing or near
freezing temperature, keep the outboard tilted down at all times so the gear case
is submerged. This prevents trapped water in gear case from freezing and causing
possible damage to the water pump and other components.
If there is a chance of ice forming on the water, the outboard should be removed
and drained completely of water. If ice should form at the water level inside the
outboard drive shaft housing, it will block water flow to the engine causing possible
damage.
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OPERATING IN SALT WATER OR POLLUTED WATER

We recommend that you flush the internal water passages of your outboard with
fresh water after each use in salt or polluted water. This will prevent a buildup of
deposits from clogging the water passages. Refer to "Flushing The Cooling
System" procedure in the Maintenance Section.
If you keep your boat moored in the water, always tilt the outboard so the gear case
is completely out of water (except in freezing temperature) when not in use.
Wash down the outboard exterior and flush out the exhaust outlet of the propeller
and gear case with fresh water after each use. Each month, spray Mercury
Precision or Quicksilver Corrosion Guard on external metal surfaces (do not spray
on corrosion control anodes as this will reduce the effectiveness of the anodes).
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OPERATING AT HIGH ELEVATIONS

Operating your outboard at an elevation higher than 2500 ft. (750 m) above sea
level may require a carburetor jet change and/or different pitch propeller. Consult
your dealer. This will reduce the normal performance loss experienced as a result
of reduced oxygen in the air causing an overly rich fuel mixture.
IMPORTANT: To prevent serious damage to the engine caused by a lean fuel
mixture, DO NOT operate your outboard (if the jets were changed for high
elevation) at a lower elevation unless the jets are changed again to
correspond to the new elevation.
Engines With Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI)
Your engine automatically compensates for high elevation changes. A propeller
with a different pitch may be required to help reduce the normal performance loss
experienced as a result of reduced oxygen in the air. Consult your dealer.
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SETTING TRIM ANGLE WHILE RUNNING ENGINE AT
IDLE SPEED
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Submerging the exhaust relief hole (a) on the outboard can happen on some
boats if you trim the outboard "full-in" while running the engine at idle speed.
This will cause an exhaust restriction, resulting in rough idle, excessive smoke,
and fouled spark plugs. If this condition exists, trim outboard up until exhaust
relief hole is out of the water (b). However, the outboard will have to be lowered
for accelerating from a standing start or from idle speed.
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OPERATING IN SHALLOW WATER

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When operating your boat in shallow water, you can tilt the outboard beyond
the maximum trim range to prevent hitting bottom.
a. Reduce engine speed below 2000 RPM.
b. Tilt outboard up. Make sure all the cooling water intake holes stay
submerged at all times.
c. Operate the engine at slow speed only. If engine speed exceeds 2000
RPM, the outboard will automatically return down to the maximum trim
range.
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ENGINE BREAK-IN PROCEDURE

Severe damage to the engine can result by not complying with the Engine
Break-in Procedure.
GASOLINE/OIL BREAK–IN MIXTURE
Models with Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI)
Do not use pre–mixed gas and oil during break–in. Oil from the oil injection system
will supply adequate lubrication during engine break–in.
Models with Carburetors
Use a 50:1 (2%) gasoline/oil mixturye in the fuel tank for the first 30 gallons (114
liters of fuel.
Break-in Procedure
First hour
•
Allow engine to warm-up for 30-60 seconds.
•
Avoid continuous operation at idle speed for more then ten minutes.
•
Run the engine the majority of time between 3000 and 4500 RPM
approximately three quarter throttle.
•
Vary engine speed; change engine speed approximately every 2 minutes.
•
Avoid trimming the outboard out (up) beyond a vertical trim position during
operation.
•
Short bursts of full throttle for periods up to 10 seconds are acceptable.
Next three hours
•
Change engine speed every 10 minutes.
* Note: It is the driver's responsibility to always drive in a safe manner. Improper
trim angle of the outboard when driving at speed can be difficult and dangerous.
The purpose of specifying trim angle is to help guide the operator in determining
how to put the proper load on the engine. They are intended to be guidelines and
do not suggest or require unsafe boat operation.
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CAUTION
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