Operation; Pre-Starting Check List; Operating In Freezing Temperatures; Operating In Salt Water Or Polluted Water - Mercury 8.0 User Manual

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OPERATION

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PRE-STARTING CHECK LIST

j Operator knows safe navigation, boating, and operating procedures.
j An approved personal flotation device of suitable size for each person aboard
and readily accessible (it is the law).
j A ring type life buoy or buoyant cushion designed to be thrown to a person in
the water.
j Know your boats maximum load capacity. Look at the boat capacity plate.
j Fuel supply OK.
j Arrange passengers and load in the boat so the weight is distributed evenly and
everyone is seated in a proper seat.
j Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.
j It is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
j Know the waters and area you will be boating; tides, currents, sand bars, rocks,
and other hazards.
j Make inspection checks listed in the Inspection and Maintenance Schedule.
Refer to Maintenance Section.
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OPERATING IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES

When using your outboard or having your outboard moored in freezing or near
freezing temperature, keep the outboard tilted down at all times so the gear case
is submerged. This prevents trapped water in gear case from freezing and causing
possible damage to the water pump and other components.
If there is a chance of ice forming on the water, the outboard should be removed
and drained completely of water. If ice should form at the water level inside the
outboard drive shaft housing, it will block water flow to the engine causing possible
damage.
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OPERATING IN SALT WATER OR POLLUTED WATER

We recommend that you flush the internal water passages of your outboard with
fresh water after each use in salt or polluted water. This will prevent a buildup of
deposits from clogging the water passages. Refer to "Flushing The Cooling
System" procedure in the Maintenance Section.
If you keep your boat moored in the water, always tilt the outboard so the gear case
is completely out of water (except in freezing temperature) when not in use.
Wash down the outboard exterior and flush out the exhaust outlet of the propeller
and gear case with fresh water after each use. Each month, spray Mercury
Precision or Quicksilver Corrosion Guard on external metal surfaces (do not spray
on corrosion control anodes as this will reduce the effectiveness of the anodes).
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OPERATING OUTBOARD AS AN AUXILIARY ENGINE

If the outboard is used as an auxiliary engine, stop the engine and tilt the outboard
out of the water when you plan on using the main power source.
IMPORTANT: The outboard has to be restrained from bouncing while
operating the boat using the main power source. BOUNCING CAN DAMAGE
THE OUTBOARD AND THE BOAT'S TRANSOM.
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PRE-STARTING INSTRUCTIONS

1
Connect the remote fuel line to the outboard. Make sure connector is snapped
into place.
2
Check the engine oil level.
3
Make sure the cooling water intake (a) is submerged.
CAUTION
Never start or run your outboard (even momentarily) without water circu-
lating through the cooling water intake in the gear case to prevent dam-
age to the water pump (running dry) or overheating of the engine.
90-10185R30
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ENGINE BREAK-IN PROCEDURE

Severe damage to the engine can result by not complying with the follow-
ing Engine Break-in Procedure.
1. For the first hour of operation, run the engine at varied throttle settings not
exceeding 2000 RPM or at approximately half throttle.
2. For the second hour of operation, run the engine at varied throttle settings up
to 3000 RPM or at three-quarter throttle, and during this period of time run it
at full throttle for approximately one minute every ten minutes.
3. For the next eight hours of operation, avoid continuous operation at full throttle
for more than five minutes at a time.
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STARTING THE ENGINE - TILLER HANDLE MODELS

Before starting, read the Pre-Starting Check List, Special Operating Instructions,
Pre-Starting Instructions, and Engine Break-in Procedure on the first three pages
in the Operation Section.
IMPORTANT: Avoid engine flooding - Do not rotate the throttle grip while
engine is not running. Doing so will inject fuel into the engine and cause a
possible hard starting flooded condition.
1
Open fuel tank vent on manual venting type tanks.
2
Squeeze the fuel line primer bulb several times until it feels firm.
3
Set the lanyard stop switch to RUN position.
4
Set the gear shift to NEUTRAL position.
5
Set the throttle grip to start position.
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Cold Engine - Pull out the choke knob for starting. Push in the choke knob after
engine starts.
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CAUTION
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