Operating In Salt Water Or Polluted Water; Operating At High Elevations; Engine Break-In Procedure; Starting The Engine - Mercury 4 Manual

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OPERATION
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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.
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ENGINE BREAK-IN PROCEDURE

CAUTION
Severe damage to the engine can result by not complying with the Engine
Break-in Procedure.
Engine Break-in Fuel Mixture
Use a 25:1 (4%) gasoline/oil mixture in the first tank of fuel.
Engine Break-in Procedure
Vary the throttle setting during the first hour of operation. During the first hour of
operation, avoid remaining at a constant speed for more than two minutes and
avoid sustained wide open throttle.
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STARTING THE ENGINE

Before starting, read the Pre-Starting Check List, Special Operating Instructions,
and Engine Break-in Procedure on the first three pages in the Operation Section.
Using the Internal Fuel Tank
1
Open the vent on the internal fuel tank.
2
Move the two way fuel valve to the lower position.
Using a Remote Fuel Tank
3
Connect the remote fuel line to the outboard. Make sure connector is snapped
into place.
4
Open fuel tank vent on manual venting type tanks.
5
Move the two way fuel valve to the up position.
6
Squeeze the fuel line primer bulb several times until it feels firm.
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STARTING THE ENGINE
Starting the engine
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Lower the outboard to the run position. Make sure the cooling water intake (a)
is submerged.
Never start or run your outboard (even momentarily) without water circu-
lating through the cooling water intake in the gear case to prevent dam-
age to the water pump (running dry) or overheating of the engine.
8
Attach the lanyard to the stop switch. Read the Lanyard Stop Switch safety
explanation and Warning in the General Information Section.
Note: The engine will not start unless the lanyard is engaged with the stop switch.
9
If engine is cold, pull out the choke. Push in the choke halfway as the engine
is warming up. Push in completely after engine is warmed up.
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STARTING THE ENGINE
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Move the throttle grip to the start position.
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Move gear shift level to neutral position.
12
Pull the starter rope slowly until you feel the starter engage, then pull rapidly
to crank the engine. Allow rope to return slowly. Repeat until engine starts.
Note: Starting Flooded Engine – Push-in the choke knob. Wait 30 seconds, then
continue to crank engine for starting.
13
Check for a steady stream of water flowing out of the water pump indicator
hole.
IMPORTANT: If no water is coming out of the water pump indicator hole,
stop engine and check cooling water intake for obstruction. No obstruction
may indicate a water pump failure or blockage in the cooling system. These
conditions will cause the engine to overheat. Have the outboard checked by
your dealer. Operating the engine while overheated may cause serious
engine damage.
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CAUTION
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