Shifting; Engine Shut Down (Stopping); Starting The Engine After Stopped While In Gear; Protecting People In The Water - Mercury 2.8 Diesel Operation & Maintenance Manual

Section 2 - On the Water

Shifting

Shifting into gear at engine speeds above idle will damage the drive system. Shift the drive into gear only when the engine is
operating at idle.
Failure to rotate the propeller shaft when shifting gears or forcing the shift mechanism while the engine is not operating can
result in product damage. If you must shift gears with the engine off, manually rotate the propeller shaft in the appropriate
direction.
1. Ensure that the remote control shift lever is in neutral.
2. To shift the sterndrive, move the remote control shift lever with a firm, quick motion forward to shift to forward gear, or
backward to shift to reverse.
3. After shifting the sterndrive, advance the throttle to the desired setting.
IMPORTANT: Avoid stopping the engine if the sterndrive is in gear. If the engine does stop with the sterndrive in gear,
Refer to the following procedure:
a. Push and pull repeatedly on the remote control handle until the handle returns to the neutral detent position. This may
take several tries if the power package was operating above idle RPM when the engine stopped.
b. After the handle returns to the neutral detent position, resume normal starting procedures.

Engine Shut Down (Stopping)

1. Place the remote control lever in neutral.
Immediately stopping the engine after high load operation can damage the turbocharger bearings. Idle the engine for several
minutes before shutdown.
2. Operate the engine at idle speed for several minutes to allow the turbocharger and engine to cool.
3. Turn the key switch to the "OFF" position or press the start‑stop switch button if equipped.

Starting the Engine After Stopped While in Gear

IMPORTANT: Avoid stopping the engine if the sterndrive is in gear. If the engine does stop with the sterndrive in gear, see the
following procedure:
1. Push and pull repeatedly on the remote control handle until the handle returns to the neutral detent position. This may take
several tries if the power package was operating above idle RPM when the engine stopped.
2. After the handle returns to the neutral detent position, resume normal starting procedures.

Protecting People in the Water

While You Are Cruising

It is very difficult for a person in the water to take quick action to avoid a boat heading in their direction, even at slow speeds.
Always slow down and exercise extreme caution any time you are boating in an area where there might be people in the water.
Whenever a boat is moving (even coasting) and the gear shift is in neutral, there is sufficient force by the water on the propeller
to cause the propeller to rotate. This neutral propeller rotation can cause serious injury.

While Boat Is Stationary

A spinning propeller, a moving boat, or any solid device attached to the boat can cause serious injury or death to swimmers.
Stop the engine immediately whenever anyone in the water is near your boat.
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90-8M0113987 DECEMBER 2015
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