Cold Weather Or Extended Storage; Precautions - MerCruiser 305 CID (5.0L) Service Manual

SERVICE MANUAL NUMBER 24

Cold Weather or Extended Storage

Precautions

BE CAREFUL while working on fuel system; gasoline is extremely flammable and
highly explosive under certain conditions. Be sure that ignition key is OFF and do
not smoke or allow sources of spark and/or open flames in the area.
Avoid Fire or Explosion: To prevent a potential fire hazard, be sure that engine com-
partment is well ventilated and that there are no gasoline vapors present during
starting or fogging of engine.
Avoid Fire or Explosion: Fuel injection system is pressurized during operation. Use
care when removing water separating fuel filter. Fuel could spray on hot engine
causing fire or explosion. Allow engine to cool down before attempting to remove
the water separating fuel filter in the following procedure. Also, hold a clean shop
towel over the water separating fuel filter when removing it to help avoid fuel spray-
ing on the engine.
If boat is in the water, seacock (water inlet valve), if equipped, must be closed until
engine is to be restarted, to prevent water from flowing back into cooling system
and/or boat. If boat is not fitted with a seacock, water inlet hose must be discon-
nected and plugged to prevent water from flowing back into cooling system and/or
boat. As a precautionary measure attach a tag to the ignition switch or steering
wheel of the boat with the warning that the seacock must be opened or the water
inlet hose reconnected prior to starting engine.
DO NOT operate engine without water flowing through seawater pickup pump, as
pump impeller may be damaged and subsequent overheating damage to engine or
sterndrive unit may result.
If engine is equipped with Closed Cooling System, Closed Cooling section must be
kept filled with a solution of ethylene glycol antifreeze and water (mix antifreeze to
manufacturer's recommended proportions to protect engine to lowest temperature
to which it will be exposed). DO NOT USE PROPYLENE GLYCOL antifreeze in closed
cooling section. Seawater section, however, must be drained completely.
A discharged battery can be damaged by freezing.
Index
90-861327--1 OCTOBER 1999
WARNING
WARNING
WARNING
CAUTION
CAUTION
CAUTION
CAUTION
MAINTENANCE
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