Alternative Water Pickups - MerCruiser 350 MAG Owner's Manual

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: Models 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.
Rotating propellers can cause serious injury or death. Never operate the boat out of the
water with a propeller installed. Before installing or removing a propeller, place the drive
unit in neutral and engage the lanyard stop switch to prevent the engine from starting.
Place a block of wood between the propeller blade and the anti‑ventilation plate.
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.
90-864195072 OCTOBER 2007
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 97