CA940

Identification Record
PLEASE RECORD THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
1.
Engine Model and Horsepower

Engine Serial Number

2.
Transom Assembly Serial Number (Sterndrive)

Gear Ratio

Sterndrive Unit Serial Number

Transmission Model (Inboard)

Gear Ratio

Transmission Serial Number

3.
4.
Propeller Number

Pitch

Diameter

5.
Hull Identification Number (HIN)

Purchase Date

6.
Boat Manufacturer

Boat Model

Length

7.
Exhaust Gas Emissions Certificate Number (Europe Only)
SERIAL NUMBERS
The serial numbers are the manufacturers keys to numerous engineering details which apply to your Mercury
MerCruiser power package. When contacting your Authorized Mercury MerCruiser Dealer about service,
always specify model and serial numbers.
The description and specifications contained herein were in effect at the time this guide was approved for
printing. Mercury Marine, whose policy is one of continuous improvement, reserves the right to discontinue
models at any time, or to change specifications or designs, without notice and without incurring obligation.
Mercury Marine, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, U.S.A. Printed in U.S.A.
2001, Mercury Marine
The following are registered trademarks of Brunswick Corporation: AutoBlend, Jet-Prop, Mariner, Merc,
MerCathode, MerCruiser, Mercury, Mercury Marine, Quicksilver, RideGuide, Thruster and MMPP.

2
5

2,7
4
0

71345

CA859

Welcome!
You have selected one of the finest marine power packages available. It incorporates numerous design features
to assure operating ease and durability.
With proper care and maintenance, you will thoroughly enjoy using this product for many boating seasons. To
ensure maximum performance and carefree use, we ask that you thoroughly read this manual.
The Operation, Maintenance and Warranty Manual contains specific instructions for using and maintaining your
product. We suggest that this manual remain with the product for ready reference whenever you are on the water.
Thank you for purchasing one of our Mercury MerCruiser products. We sincerely hope your boating will be
pleasant!
Consumer Affairs Department
CA741

Warranty Message
The product you have purchased comes with a limited warranty from Mercury Marine; the terms of the warranty
are set forth in the Warranty Sections of this manual. The warranty statement contains a description of what is
covered, what is not covered, the duration of coverage, how to best obtain warranty coverage, important
disclaimers and limitations of damages, and other related information. Please review this important
information.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Owner Warranty Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
International Owner Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Warranty Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Transferable Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Mercury Product Protection Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Read This Manual Thoroughly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Lanyard Stop Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Exhaust Emissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Be Alert To Carbon Monoxide Poisoning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Wave And Wake Jumping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Impact With Underwater Hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Operating With Low Water Inlets In Shallow Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Safe Boating Suggestions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Protecting People In The Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
High-Speed And High-Performance Boat Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Conditions Affecting Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Important Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Operation And Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Freezing Temperature Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Drain Plug and Bilge Pump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Attention Required After Submersion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Emissions Information (Europe Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Trailering Boat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Launching And Boat Operation Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Stolen Power Package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Replacement Service Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Do-It-Yourself Maintenance Suggestions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
20-Hour Break-In Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
After Break-In Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
End of First Season Checkup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Instrumentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Audio Warning System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Electrical System Overload Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Remote Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Remote Control Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Power Trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Operation Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Starting, Shifting And Stopping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Page
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seacock Size Recommendation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Crankcase Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Routine Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Scheduled Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking Fluid Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel Pump Sight Tube Inspection 3.0L Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing Crankcase Oil and Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing Drive Unit Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning Flame Arrestor and Related Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing Water Separating Fuel Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lubrication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propeller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alpha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bravo One and Two . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bravo Three . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drive Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
V-Belts (3.0L Model) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Serpentine Drive Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corrosion And Corrosion Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Emissions (Europe Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Miscellaneous Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inspection And Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cold Weather Or Extended Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power Package Lay Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Draining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seawater (Raw-Water) Cooled Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Closed Cooled (Coolant) Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.0L Single Point Drain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clearing Clogged Blue Drain Hoses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flushing Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sterndrive Water Pickups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alternative Water Pickups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery Winter Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power Package Recommissioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Owner Service Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Customer Service Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ordering Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

36
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
42
44
46
47
48
49
50
51
54
54
56
58
60
60
63
67
70
72
72
72
73
73
75
75
77
79
80
83
83
85
86
87
88
93
96
99

CA455

Warranty Information
Owner Warranty Registration
UNITED STATES AND CANADA ONLY

It is important that your selling dealer fills out the Warranty Registration Card completely and mails it to the
factory immediately upon sale of the new product.

It identifies name and address of the original purchaser, product model and serial number(s), date of sale,
type of use and selling dealers code, name and address. The dealer also certifies that you are the original
purchaser and user of the product.

Upon receipt of the Warranty Registration Card at the factory, you will be issued a plastic Owner Warranty
Registration Card which is your only valid registration identification. It must be presented to the servicing
dealer should warranty service be required. Warranty claims will not be accepted without presentation of this
card.

A temporary Owner Warranty Registration Card will be presented to you when you purchase the product. It
is valid only for 30 days from date of sale while your plastic Owner Warranty Registration Card is being
processed. Should your product need service during this period, present the temporary registration card to
the dealer. He will attach it to your warranty claim form.

Because of your selling dealers continuing personal interest in your satisfaction, the product should be
returned to him for warranty service.

If your plastic card is not received within 30 days from date of new product sale, please contact your selling
dealer.

The product warranty is not effective until the product is registered at the factory.
NOTICE: Registration lists must be maintained by factory and dealer on marine products sold in the United
States, should notification under the Federal Boat Safety Act be required.