Cold Weather (Freezing Temperature), Seasonal Storage, And Extended Storage; Preparing Your Power Package For Seasonal Or Extended Storage; Seasonal Storage Instructions - Mercury TDI 4.2L Manual

Section 5 - Storage

Cold Weather (Freezing Temperature), Seasonal Storage, and Extended Storage

IMPORTANT: Mercury Diesel strongly recommends that this service be performed by a Mercury Diesel–authorized repair
facility. Damage caused by freezing is not covered by the Mercury Diesel Limited Warranty.
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 reconnect the water inlet hose before starting the engine.
You should consider a boat is in storage whenever it is not in operation. The amount of time that the power package is not
operated may be for a brief period, such as during a day, overnight, for a season, or for an extended period of time. Certain
precautions and procedures must be observed to protect the power package from freeze damage, corrosion damage, or both
types of damage during storage.
Freeze damage can happen when water trapped in the seawater cooling system freezes. For example, after operating the boat,
exposure to freezing temperatures for even a brief period of time could result in freeze damage.
Corrosion damage is the result of saltwater, polluted water, or water with a high mineral content trapped in the seawater cooling
system. Saltwater should not stay in an engine's cooling system for even a brief storage time; drain and flush the seawater
cooling system after each outing.
Cold weather operation refers to operating the boat whenever the possibility of freezing temperatures exists. Likewise, cold
weather (freezing temperature) storage refers to whenever the boat is not being operated and the possibility of freezing
temperatures exists. The seawater section of the cooling system must be completely drained immediately after operation.
Seasonal storage refers to when the boat is not being operated for one month or more. The length of time varies depending on
the geographic location of the boat in storage. Seasonal storage precautions and procedures include all of the steps for cold
weather (freezing temperature) storage and some additional steps that must be taken when storage will last longer than the
short time of cold weather (freezing temperature) storage.
Extended storage means storage for a period of time that may last for several seasons or longer. Extended storage precautions
and procedures include all of the steps for cold weather (freezing temperature) storage and seasonal storage plus some
additional steps.
Refer to the specific procedures in this section related to the conditions and the length of storage for your application.

Preparing Your Power Package for Seasonal or Extended Storage

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: If the boat has already been removed from the water, supply water to the water inlet holes before starting the
engine. Follow all warnings and flushing attachment procedures stated in Flushing the Seawater System.
1. Supply cooling water to the water inlet holes or seawater pump inlet.
2. Start the engine and operate until it reaches normal operating temperature.
3. Stop the engine.
4. Change the engine oil and filter.
5. Start the engine and run for about 15 minutes. Check for oil leaks.
6. Flush the seawater cooling system. Refer to Flushing the Seawater System.
7. Change the sterndrive gear oil.

Seasonal Storage Instructions

1.
Read all precautions and perform all procedures found in Preparing Your Power Package for Seasonal or Extended
Storage.
2. Read all precautions and perform all procedures found in Flushing and Draining the Seawater System and drain the
seawater section of the cooling system.
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NOTICE
NOTICE
90-8M0114081 DECEMBER 2015
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