Do you disconnect the gas from the engine for the ride home?

[Geo2008]

My neighbor insists that I should disconnect the gas line while trailering my boat. Is this true? Do you follow this procedure?

I have never noticed anyone at the dock doing this?

 

[dingbat]

Re: Do you disconnect the gas from the engine for the ride home?

My fuel line is hard plumbed directly to the fuel pump. I couldn't disconnect it if I wanted to.......without some serious effort.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Do you disconnect the gas from the engine for the ride home?

Did he bother to say "why"? There is no real advantage or disadvantage in disconnecting the line. In fact, some larger engines are plumbed directly so there is no quick disconnect. If the engine has carb problems it might be to your advantage to disconnect the line to prevent pressurized fuel from flooding the engine. But if everything is working as it should it doesn't make any difference. The only reason I can come up with is that some portable fuel tanks can build a fair amount of pressure and may overpower the inlet needle and seat in the carb, thus flooding the engine.

 

[jennis9]

Re: Do you disconnect the gas from the engine for the ride home?

Only on our 9.9 kicker... we disconnect and put it in neutral.

Just one of those habits we got into so if the motor comes off the boat and gets set down - the gas won't get into the carb.

 

[DRIFTER_016]

Re: Do you disconnect the gas from the engine for the ride home?

I disconnet mine on my 90 horse Merc.
When tilted all the way up for transport the floats in the carbs tend to bounce and the pressurized fuel fills the carbs and runs out of the over flow tube. It doesn't flood the engine but it does make a gooey mess under the cowl.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Do you disconnect the gas from the engine for the ride home?

I've had similar problems as Drifter when leaving the fuel line attached to the outboard. Fuel sloshed out of the carb and washed down into the transom bracket bushings making a huge mess of gas, 2 stroke oil and grease. On my outboards I always disconnect the fuel line and run the engine out of fuel before loading up the boat.

On my I/O boat I don't, probably be pretty dangerous on that type of engine...

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Do you disconnect the gas from the engine for the ride home?

I disconnect as it tends to leak once tilted all the way up.

Would never run the motor out of fuel. Means something is moving without lubrication at some point. Especially if you have more than 1 carb.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Do you disconnect the gas from the engine for the ride home?

I've had similar problems as Drifter when leaving the fuel line attached to the outboard. Fuel sloshed out of the carb and washed down into the transom bracket bushings making a huge mess of gas, 2 stroke oil and grease. On my outboards I always disconnect the fuel line and run the engine out of fuel before loading up the boat.

On my I/O boat I don't, probably be pretty dangerous on that type of engine...

I have this same problem and wondered why! I'm glad that I now know that it's something innocent.

 

[22E6441]

Re: Do you disconnect the gas from the engine for the ride home?

I disconnect my gas line and run the motor out of gas. The ole girl seems to like it.....at next launch, hook up the line, 8 pumps on the thing-ama-bobber and she starts at first turn of the key.

'69 Chrysler 35 hp

 

[Nandy]

Re: Do you disconnect the gas from the engine for the ride home?

Good question, never thought about it during season. I leave mine connected in all boats I owned for exception of the 9.9 in the johnboat. I think it will depend on your motor. If you cannot see any dripping or flooding of your motor then you can leave it connected. I dont see any harm in disconnecting it either. I do disconnect after winterize, but I think that is the norm.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Do you disconnect the gas from the engine for the ride home?

I disconnect my Johnson 6 when I dock, with the engine idling. The moment the idle starts to speed up, I hit the kill button. I've always done that to my outboards, with no ill effects whatever. I don't let them stop on their own, though. I catch it the instant it leans out at idle. Usually, I get my rear dock line tied before that happens.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Do you disconnect the gas from the engine for the ride home?

I disconnect my Johnson 6 when I dock, with the engine idling. The moment the idle starts to speed up, I hit the kill button. I've always done that to my outboards, with no ill effects whatever. I don't let them stop on their own, though. I catch it the instant it leans out at idle. Usually, I get my rear dock line tied before that happens.

Probably that is a one carb motor. I see no problem there and if it works for you then that is perfect. I think the problem is more for the motors with multiple carbs where one could run out of gas faster than the other(s).

 

[GrindKore]

Re: Do you disconnect the gas from the engine for the ride home?

I don't disconnect, frequent use of quick disconnect tends to chew up O-rings in side the connector. I had one o-ring bust on me when I was switching to axillary 6Gal tank in the middle of the lake, not fun. Now I carry assorted emergency O-ring kit just in case. Unlike others, I have never experienced the carb leak when tilted.

 

[danond]

Re: Do you disconnect the gas from the engine for the ride home?

I had a 25hp Yamaha that leaked when it was tilted unless the fuel line was disconnected. Extremely messy.