Cold Weather (Freezing Temperature), Seasonal, And Extended Storage - Mercury 2.8 EI 200 Manual

STORAGE AND RECOMMISSIONING
0084 w / CMD
Cold Weather (Freezing Temperature), Seasonal, And
Extended Storage
IMPORTANT: Cummins MerCruiser Diesel strongly recommends that this service
should be performed by an authorized Cummins MerCruiser Diesel dealer /
distributor. Damage caused by freezing IS NOT covered by the Cummins MerCruiser
Diesel Limited Warranty.
Avoid cooling system and engine damage. Water trapped in the seawater section
of the cooling system can cause corrosion damage, can freeze causing freeze
damage, or may result in both types of damage. Ensure that the seawater section
of the cooling system is drained immediately after operation or before any length
of storage in cold weather if the possibility of freezing temperatures exists.
Consider a boat is in storage whenever it is not in operation. The amount of time that the
power package is not operated may be for a brief period, such as during a day, overnight,
for a season, or for an extended period of time. Certain precautions and procedures must
be observed to protect the power package from freeze damage, corrosion damage, or both
types of damage during storage.
Freeze damage can be caused when water trapped in the seawater cooling system is
frozen. For example, after operating the boat, exposure to freezing temperatures for even
a brief period of time could result in freeze damage.
Corrosion damage is the result of saltwater, polluted water, or water with a high mineral
content trapped in the seawater cooling system. Saltwater should not stay in an engine's
cooling system for even a brief storage time; drain and flush the seawater cooling system
after each outing.
Cold weather operation refers to operating the boat whenever the possibility of freezing
temperatures exists. Likewise, cold weather (freezing temperature) storage refers to
whenever the boat is not being operated and the possibility of freezing temperatures exists.
In such cases, the seawater section of the cooling system must be completely drained
immediately after operation.
Seasonal storage refers to when the boat is not being operated for 1 month or more. The
length of time varies depending on the geographic location of the boat in storage. Seasonal
storage precautions and procedures include all of the steps for cold weather (freezing
temperature) storage and some additional steps that must be taken when storage will last
longer than the short time of cold weather (freezing temperature) storage.
Extended storage means storage for a period of time that may last for several seasons or
longer. Extended storage precautions and procedures include all of the steps for cold
weather (freezing temperature) storage and seasonal storage plus some additional steps.
Refer to the specific procedures in this Section 6 related to the conditions and the length
of storage for your application.
Page 90
CAUTION
CMD-4081877 / 90-865861040 MARCH 2004
SECTION 6