Operating In Shallow Water - Mercury HP 500 EFI Bravo XR/XZ/III User Manual

GENERAL INFORMATION
CA802
1

Operating In Shallow Water

Serious engine damage could occur by failing to follow these
instructions. Sand, silt or mud could be sucked into the water
inlets restricting or shutting off the water supply to the engine.
1 Low Water Inlet Gear Cases: Extreme care should be exercised
when operating a boat equipped with only low water inlets while
maneuvering in shallow water. Due to a small amount of total wa-
ter inlet area, there is high suction at the water inlets. These inlets
will easily clog with bottom contact and are susceptible to clog-
ging when operated in shallow or weedy water.
2 Dual Water Inlet Gear Cases: The design of the dual water inlet
gear case reduces the risk of restricting or shutting off the water
supply to the engine, but caution should still be used when oper-
ating in shallow weedy water.
Clearing a Dual Water Inlet Gear Case
•
Idle the boat out to deep water.
•
Bring the boat up on plane but operate at a moderate speed
until the engine temperature and block water pressure re-
turns to normal. Engine block pressure at the gauge can still
be low if the line to the gauge is clogged.
500 EFI Bravo
2
CAUTION
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