Flushing The Seawater System-Inboard Models; The Boat Out Of The Water-Inboard Models - Mercury MerCruiser Horizon 8.2 ECT Manual

Section 5 - Maintenance
NOTE: Proper tension is a measurement of deflection with moderate thumb pressure on the belt at the location that has
the longest distance between two pulleys.
Description
Deflection
Flushing the Seawater System—Inboard Models
The Boat Out of the Water—Inboard Models
IMPORTANT: Flushing the power package is most effective when performed with the boat out of the water.
IMPORTANT: We recommend flushing after each outing in salty, brackish, mineral‑laden, or polluted water and before cold
weather and extended storage.
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.
1. Close the seacock, if equipped, then disconnect the seawater inlet hose from the seawater pump.
2. If not equipped with a seacock, disconnect the seawater inlet hose from the seawater pump and immediately plug the
hose.
3. Using a suitable adapter, connect the flushing hose from the water source to the water inlet of the seawater pump.
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.
4. Completely open the water source to provide maximum water supply.
5. Place the remote control in the neutral idle speed position.
6. 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.
7. Depress the throttle only button and slowly advance the throttle until the engine reaches 1300 RPM (± 100 RPM).
8. Observe the water temperature gauge to ensure that the engine is operating in the normal range.
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Deflection measurement point
WARNING
!
NOTICE
NOTICE
50920
13 mm (½ in.)
90-8M0061999
eng
MAY 2012