866729 Mercruiser FITTING, (.250 x .250 NPTF)

Fuel leaked or spilled onto hot surfaces or electrical components can cause a fire. To help prevent possible injury, turn the start switch off when changing fuel filters or water separator elements. Clean up fuel spills immediately.
Use a suitable container to catch any fuel that might spill. Clean up any spilled fuel immediately.
Do not allow dirt to enter the fuel system. Thoroughly clean the area around a fuel system component that will be disconnected. Fit a suitable cover over disconnected fuel system component.
Note: Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Fuel System Secondary Filter - Replace" for information on replacing the filter.
Turn the engine control switch (ECS) to the "OFF" position.
Illustration 1 g01096972
Hand priming pump
(1) Air purge screw
(2) Fuel pressure regulating valve
Open air purge screw (1) for the fuel filter by three full turns. Do not remove the air purge screw.
Do not crank the engine continuously for more than 30 seconds. Allow the starting motor to cool for two minutes before cranking the engine again.
Start the engine. The engine should start and the engine should run smoothly. If the engine does not start after 30 seconds, allow the starter motor to cool for two minutes before attempting to start the engine again. Note: You may use the hand priming pump for the fuel filter (if equipped) instead of starting the engine and running the engine.
While the engine is running, observe air purge screw (1). When a small drop of fuel appears at the threads of the air purge screw, close and tighten air purge screw (1). Note: There may be a noticeable change in the sound of the running engine when the air purge screw is tightened. The change in the sound of the engine is normal.Note: Failure to tighten all fittings could result in serious fuel leaks.
Clean any residual fuel from the engine components. The Engine Has Been Run Out of Fuel
Use a suitable container to catch any fuel that might spill. Clean up any spilled fuel immediately.
Do not allow dirt to enter the fuel system. Thoroughly clean the area around a fuel system component that will be disconnected. Fit a suitable cover over disconnected fuel system component.
Turn the ECS to the "OFF" position.
Fill the fuel tank(s) with clean diesel fuel.
Illustration 2 g01096972
Hand priming pump
(1) Air purge screw
(2) Fuel pressure regulating valve
Open fuel pressure regulating valve (2) by two and a half turns. The regulating valve is located in the integral fuel filter base. Note: Do not remove the regulating valve completely. Open the valve enough to allow the air that is trapped in the cylinder head to be purged from the fuel system.
Do not crank the engine continuously for more than 30 seconds. Allow the starting motor to cool for two minutes before cranking the engine again.
Crank the engine for 30 seconds. Use a suitable container to catch the fuel while you crank the engine. Allow the starter motor to cool for two minutes. Note: You may use the hand priming pump for the fuel filter (if equipped) instead of cranking the engine.
Crank the engine for 30 seconds. Allow the starter motor to cool for two minutes.
Close and tighten fuel pressure regulating valve (2).
Crank the engine for 30 seconds. Allow the starter motor to cool for two minutes.
Repeat Step 7 until the engine starts and the engine runs. Note: Failure to tighten all fittings could result in serious fuel leaks.
Clean any residual fuel from the engine components. The Engine Has Been Rebuilt
Use a suitable container to catch any fuel that might spill. Clean up any spilled fuel immediately.
Do not allow dirt to enter the fuel system. Thoroughly clean the area around a fuel system component that will be disconnected. Fit a suitable cover over disconnected fuel system component.
Turn the ECS to the "OFF" position.
Fill the fuel tank (s) with clean diesel fuel.
Illustration 3 g01096972
Hand priming pump
(1) Air purge screw
(2) Fuel pressure regulating valve
Open the air purge screw (1) for the fuel filter by three full turns. Do not remove the air purge screw.
Open fuel pressure regulating valve (2) by two and a half turns. The regulating valve is located in the integral fuel filter base. Note: Do not remove the regulating va