Drain Plug And Bilge Pump; Starting, Shifting, And Stopping; Before Starting The Engine - Mercury TDI 4.2L Manual

Section 2 - On The Water
Water trapped in the seawater section of the cooling system can cause corrosion or freeze damage. Drain the seawater
section of the cooling system immediately after operation or before any length of storage in freezing temperatures. If the boat
is in the water, keep the seacock closed until restarting the engine to prevent water from flowing back into the cooling system.
If the boat is not fitted with a seacock, leave the water inlet hose disconnected and plugged.
NOTE: As a precautionary measure, attach a tag to the key switch or steering wheel of the boat reminding the operator to open
the seacock or unplug and connect the water inlet hose before starting the engine.
In order to operate the engine in temperatures of 0° C (32° F) or lower, observe the following instructions:
• At the end of each daily operation, completely drain the seawater section of the cooling system to protect against damage
by freezing.
• At the end of each daily operation, drain the water from the water separator, if equipped. Fill the fuel tank at the end of daily
operation to prevent condensation.
• Use the required permanent‑type antifreeze solution to protect components against damage by freezing.
• Use proper cold weather lubrication oil; ensure that the crankcase contains a sufficient amount.
• Make certain that the battery is of sufficient size and is fully charged. Check that all other electrical equipment is in
optimum condition.
• At temperatures of –20° C (–4° F) and below, use a coolant heater and a marine application bilge air heater to improve cold
starting.
• If operating in arctic temperatures of –29° C (–20° F) or lower, consult your Mercury Diesel authorized repair facility for
information about special cold weather equipment and precautions.
Refer to Section 6 for cold weather or extended storage related information.

Drain Plug and Bilge Pump

The engine compartment in your boat is a natural place for water to collect. For this reason, boats are normally equipped with a
drain plug or a bilge pump. It is very important to check these items on a regular basis to ensure that the water level does not
come into contact with your power package. Components on your engine will be damaged if submerged. Damage caused by
submersion is not covered by the warranty.

Starting, Shifting, and Stopping

Vapors can ignite and cause an explosion, resulting in engine damage or severe personal injury. Do not use volatile starting
aids such as ether, propane, or gasoline in the engine air intake system.
Fuel vapors trapped in the engine compartment may be an irritant, cause difficulty breathing, or may ignite resulting in a fire
or explosion. Always ventilate the engine compartment before servicing the power package.

Before Starting the Engine

Without sufficient cooling water, the engine, the water pump, and other components will overheat and suffer damage. Provide
a sufficient supply of water to the water inlets during operation.
IMPORTANT: Observe the following before starting:
• Verify seawater pickup is open.
• Never operate the starter motor longer than 15 seconds at a time to avoid overheating the starter motor. If the engine does
not start, wait one minute to allow the starter motor to cool; then, repeat the starting procedure.
• Ensure that the engine crankcase is filled to the correct level with the proper grade of oil for the prevailing temperature.
Refer to Specifications—Engine Oil.
• Ensure that all electrical connections are secure.
•
Check all items listed in the maintenance schedules and Operation Chart.
• Perform any other necessary checks as indicated by your Mercury Diesel authorized repair facility or specified in your boat
owner's manual.
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90-8M0114081 DECEMBER 2015
eng