draining gas after use

[hipster dufus]

what is the proper procedure for shutdown? i run my 9.8 4 stroke once a week, occaisonally a little more frequent. would it be best for me to run it dry when i get home, after i flush it of course. i always run stabilizer and rarely let my gas sit for 2 weeks, most of the time i put it in my truck and fill up before i go out next time. will letting it sit for a week cause problems? should i drain my carbs to get all the gas out? i just cant believe my current problems could be gas related, there is a filter in the tank and another before the carbs inside the cowling, how many more could one possibly need?it is running ok right now. i bought this motor for reliability, it is also my first outboard and a learning experience. thanks everyone for their help.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: draining gas after use

Always run the gas out of the engine after every use. Your not only fighting foreign contaminates, you are also fighting water being absorbed by the alcohol and varnish being formed in the fuel system due to evaporation.

 

[robert graham]

Re: draining gas after use

Run Stabil Marine in your fuel all the time, check/clean your gas filters, and you should be good to go!

 

[pvanv]

Re: draining gas after use

Always run the gas out of the engine after every use. Your not only fighting foreign contaminates, you are also fighting water being absorbed by the alcohol and varnish being formed in the fuel system due to evaporation.

YES.

We have found that the "magic" amount of time for carb varnish problems is about 1 to 2 weeks. If you will be running again the next morning, it's OK to leave the carb wet. Aside from that, run it out.

When storing for the off season, it wouldn't hurt to whip out your 8mm socket and drain the last teaspoon of fuel from the carb, after fogging.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: draining gas after use

Hi Paul.

You state 1 to 2 weeks for varnish problems, is that for all brands 2 stroke oil, or the better priced ones lasts longer to warnish ? What about best unleaded no alcohol mix fuels that have not been stabilized in tank, what's the longer it can be used to perform as expected. Max one complete month ?

Happy Boating

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: draining gas after use

The varnish forms due to the evaporation of the fuel rather than from the oil type. I've never seen a study that compares if the flavor of the oil in a two stroke would make a difference, but I suspect it would not. Fuel longevity is based on original octane, refinery added stabilizers, alcohol content( as related to whether or not it is absorbing any water in a given environment) and consumer added stabilizers. Everything else being equal, an octane level of 91 versus an octane level of 85 might give you as much a three months of use over one month....Maybe.

 

[Vanover]

Re: draining gas after use

Don't want to steal your thread, but was also curios about this, does it matter if it is fuel injected? I too run stabilizer always. However the nature of my job calls for me to leave at a moments notice. In that ruch i have left treated gas iin the motor/tank for up to a month without running. So is it diffent my motor is a 2009 hp 4 stroke merc.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: draining gas after use

Kind of, but on EFI/DFI engines people are used to replacing the injectors. Sometimes it's because the injectors burn out, sometimes its because of fuel deposits. That type of engine does not really lend itself to running the fuel out. The good news is that they are sealed systems so the evaporation is limited.

 

[Vanover]

Re: draining gas after use

Cool thanks T Guru. Kinda what i thought but never really remembered to seek avice on it.

 

[hipster dufus]

Re: draining gas after use

ok, another stupid question. would i be better off running a higher octane gas?like i saID i always run marine stabil and do not let my gas get old. thank u guys for all ur help