Alternative Water Pickups - MerCruiser Sterndrive 4.3 MPI User Manual

15. Remove the seawater inlet hose from the seawater pump and plug the hose to prevent
water from siphoning into the engine.
16. Tag the ignition switch with an appropriate tag requiring the seawater inlet hose to be
reconnected prior to operating engine.

ALTERNATIVE WATER PICKUPS

IMPORTANT: Two water sources are needed for this procedure.
NOTE: Flushing is needed only for salty, brackish, mineral laden or polluted water
applications. Flushing is recommended after each outing for best results.
IMPORTANT: Engines with the sterndrive water inlet blocked off at the gimbal housing and
using a through‑hull water inlet need a supply of cooling water available to both the
sterndrive and to the engine during operation.
1. If flushing the cooling system with the boat in the water:
a.
b.
c.
2. If flushing the cooling system with the boat out of the water:
a.
Contact with moving drive components and the propeller can cause personal injury or
death. To avoid possible injury, remove the propeller and ensure that no people or
animals are in the area of the drive unit while flushing.
b.
c.
3. Connect hose between flushing attachment and water source.
4. Close the seacock, if equipped, to prevent water from siphoning into the engine or boat.
5. Remove the seawater inlet hose from the seawater pump and plug the hose to prevent
water from siphoning into the engine or boat.
6. Using a suitable adapter, connect the flushing hose from the water source to the water
inlet of the seawater pump.
90-864195061 NOVEMBER 2006
Raise sterndrive to trailer position.
Install the appropriate flushing attachment over the water inlet holes in the gear
housing.
Lower sterndrive unit to full down (in) position.
Lower sterndrive to full down (in) position.
Remove propeller.
Install the appropriate flushing attachment over the water inlet holes in the gear
housing.
WARNING
!
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Section 5 - Maintenance
Page 107