Mercury 2.8 Diesel, Operation & Maintenance Manual

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Section 4 - Maintenance
90-8M0113987
eng
DECEMBER 2015 Page 59
Fuel Tank Cleaning and Flushing
IMPORTANT: Diesel fuel should not be left in the tank during winter storage, as an accumulation of rust, sludge, and wax
residue will form.
Refer to the boat manufacturer's instructions and clean the fuel tank at specified intervals. Unless specified otherwise, flush and
clean the diesel fuel tank every 1000 hours or five years, whichever occurs first.
Seawater System
Draining the Seawater System
!
CAUTION
Water can enter the bilge when the drain system is open, damaging the engine or causing the boat to sink. Remove the boat
from the water or close the seacock, disconnect and plug the seawater inlet hose, and ensure the bilge pump is operational
before draining. Do not operate the engine with the drain system open.
IMPORTANT: The engine must be as level as possible to ensure complete draining of the cooling system.
Drain the seawater system of the power package before cold weather (freezing temperature), seasonal storage, or extended
storage.
IMPORTANT: The boat must not be operating during this procedure.
!
CAUTION
Water can enter the bilge when the drain system is open, damaging the engine or causing the boat to sink. Remove the boat
from the water or close the seacock, disconnect and plug the seawater inlet hose, and ensure the bilge pump is operational
before draining. Do not operate the engine with the drain system open.
1. Remove the boat from the water if possible.
2.
If the boat is to remain in the water
, turn on the bilge pump, close the seacock (if equipped), or disconnect and plug the
seawater inlet hose.
3. Make the engine as level as possible to ensure complete draining of the seawater system.
NOTE: The anode assembly on the back of the fluid cooler can be used as a drain plug.
4. Remove the drain plug from the aft end cover of the fluid cooler.
Typical engine
a - Anode assembly drain
plug
b - Fluid cooler
a
23710
b