Submerged Engine (Fresh Water) (Plus Special Instructions); Propeller Selection - Mercury 40 Service Manual

Submerged Engine (Fresh Water)
(Plus Special Instructions)
1. Recover engine as quickly as possible.
2. Remove cowling.
3. Flush exterior of outboard with fresh water to re-
move mud, weeds, etc. DO NOT attempt to start
engine if sand has entered powerhead, as pow-
erhead will be severely damaged. Disassemble
powerhead if necessary to clean components.
4. Remove spark plugs and get as much water as
possible out of powerhead. Most water can be
eliminated by placing engine in a horizontal posi-
tion (with spark plug holes down) and rotating fly-
wheel.
5. Pour alcohol into carburetor throats (alcohol will
absorbed water). Again rotate flywheel.
6. Turn engine over and pour alcohol into spark plug
openings and rotate flywheel.
7. Turn engine over (place spark plug openings
down) and pour engine oil into throat of carbure-
tors while rotating flywheel to distribute oil
throughout crankcase.
8. Again turn engine over and pour approximately
one teaspoon of engine oil into each spark plug
opening. Again rotate flywheel to distribute oil in
cylinders.
9. Remove and clean carburetors and fuel pump
assembly.
10. Dry all wiring and electrical components using
compressed air.
11. Disassemble the engine starter motor and dry the
brush contacts, armature and other corrodible
parts.
12. Reinstall spark plugs, carburetors and fuel pump.
13. Attempt to start engine, using a fresh fuel source.
If engine starts, it should be run for at least one
hour to eliminate any water in engine.
14. If engine fails to start, determine cause (fuel,
electrical or mechanical). Engine should be run
within 2 hours after recovery of outboard from
water, or serious internal damage may occur. If
unable to start engine in this period, disassemble
engine and clean all parts. Apply oil as soon as
possible.
1C-4 - IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Propeller Selection

For in-depth information on marine propellers and
boat performance - written by marine engineers - see
your Authorized Dealer for the illustrated "What You
Should Know About Quicksilver Propellers... and
Boat Performance
90-86144-92).
For best all around performance from your outboard/
boat combination, select a propeller that allows the
engine to operate in the upper half of the recom-
mended full throttle RPM range with the boat normal-
ly loaded (refer to Specifications). This RPM range
allows for better acceleration while maintaining maxi-
mum boat speed.
If changing conditions cause the RPM to drop below
the recommended range (such as warmer, more hu-
mid weather, operation at higher elevations, in-
creased boat load or a dirty boat bottom/gear case)
a propeller change or cleaning may be required to
maintain performance and ensure the outboard's du-
rability.
Check full-throttle RPM using an accurate tachome-
ter with the engine trimmed out to a balanced-steer-
ing condition (steering effort equal in both directions)
without causing the propeller to "break loose".
Refer to "Quicksilver Accessory Guide" for a com-
plete list of available propellers.
Select a propeller that will allow the engine to op-
1.
erate at or near the top of the recommended full
throttle RPM range (listed in "Specifications,"
preceding) with a normal load. Maximum engine
speed (RPM) for propeller selection exists when
boat speed is maximum and trim is minimum for
that speed. (High RPM, caused by an excessive
trim angle, should not be used in determining cor-
rect propeller.) Normally, there is a 150-350 RPM
change between propeller pitches
If full throttle operation is below the recom-
2.
mended range, the propeller MUST BE changed
to one with a lower pitch to prevent loss of per-
formance and possible engine damage.
Information" (Part No.
.
90-852572R1 JANUARY 1998