The Boat In The Water-Bravo Sterndrive - MerCruiser 496 MAG Owner's Manual

Section 5 - Maintenance
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.
2. Remove the propeller. Refer to the appropriate Mercury MerCruiser sterndrive service manual.
3. Install the appropriate flushing attachment over the water inlet holes in the gear housing.
4. Connect the water supply hose to the water source.
Flushing the engine when it is not operating will result in water collecting in the exhaust system, damaging the engine. Do not
supply flush water for more than 15 seconds without the engine operating.
5. With the sterndrive in the normal operating position, completely open the water source to provide maximum water supply.
6. Place the remote control in the neutral idle speed position.
7. Immediately start the engine.
Operating the engine out of the water at high speeds creates suction, which can collapse the water supply hose and overheat
the engine. Do not operate the engine above 1400 RPM out of the water and without sufficient cooling water supply.
8. Depress the throttle‑only button and slowly advance the throttle until the engine reaches 1300 RPM (± 100 RPM).
9. Observe the water temperature gauge to ensure that the engine is operating in the normal range.
10. Operate the engine with the sterndrive in neutral for a minimum of 10 minutes.
11. For power packages operated in saltwater, brackish water, mineral‑laden water, or polluted water, continue to operate the
engine until the discharge water is clear.
12. Slowly return the throttle to idle speed position.
13. Stop the engine.
14. Immediately shut off the supply water and remove the flushing attachment.
15. Install the propeller. Refer to the appropriate Mercury MerCruiser sterndrive service manual.
The Boat in the Water—Bravo Sterndrive
IMPORTANT: Flushing the power package is most effective when performed with the boat and sterndrive out of the water.
IMPORTANT: Flushing is needed if the engine package has been operated in saltwater, brackish water, mineral‑laden water, or
polluted water. For best results, flushing is recommended after each outing and before cold weather and extended storage.
1. Raise the sterndrive to the trailer position.
2. Install the appropriate flushing attachment over the water inlet holes in the gear housing.
3. Lower the sterndrive to the full down/in position.
4. Connect the water supply hose to the water source.
Flushing the engine when it is not operating will result in water collecting in the exhaust system, damaging the engine. Do not
supply flush water for more than 15 seconds without the engine operating.
5. With the sterndrive in the normal operating position, completely open the water source to provide maximum water supply.
6. Place the remote control in the neutral idle speed position.
7. Immediately start the engine.
Operating the engine out of the water at high speeds creates suction, which can collapse the water supply hose and overheat
the engine. Do not operate the engine above 1400 RPM out of the water and without sufficient cooling water supply.
8. Depress the throttle‑only button and slowly advance the throttle until the engine reaches 1300 RPM (± 100 RPM).
9. Observe the water temperature gauge to ensure that the engine is operating in the normal range.
10. Operate the engine with the sterndrive in neutral for a minimum of 10 minutes.
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90-899883274 MARCH 2008