Running out of fuel

[san dimas]

Hello everyone,
At the end of the day before I load my boat onto the trailer, I stop the engine by disconnecting the fuel line and letting it run out of gas. Do you think this is OK? Or should I just kill it with the ignition? It's a 1997 Force 9.9 hp 2 stroke.
Thanks.

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Running out of fuel

Based on previous threads, get ready for a 50/50 debate

I've done it both ways - doesn't seem to make much difference. I do use stabalizer in my fuel.

 

[JB]

Re: Running out of fuel

One carburetor, no problem. Multiple carbs, risk of running cylinders dry and doing damage. Multi carbs and oil injection, possible filling carbs up with oil (phew!).

Your Force is a one carb, no oil injection, engine so I think you are safe.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Running out of fuel

You are safe, but it makes little difference. People think running until it stops will drain the fuel out of the carb, it doesn't, it only lowers the level. You need to remove the the drain plug from the bottom of the float bowl to drain the carb. This is the reason people see no difference between running it dry or just turning it off.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Running out of fuel

Every time you run a two stroke out of fuel you momentarily run it lean. They don't like that. And as was mentioned, you cannot run a carburetor completely dry.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Running out of fuel

There is a reason they put an iginiton switch on it and not fuel shut off, it may or may not hurt the engine, I think it does, but why risk it?

Unless the boat is going to be stored for more than a month there is no reason to drain the carbs and as pointed out above doing that doesn't even drain the carbs ergo, no reason to do it, my 2 pennies.

 

[jspriddy]

Re: Running out of fuel

There's also the issue of gaskets drying out and shrinking if you run it "dry", thus leaking the next time you use it. I don't have any proof this is the case, but it makes sense to me. I also agree with Silvertip on the issue of a momentary lean condition (if we were in kindergarten, I'd insert a "frowny face" here, but I'll refrain).

Most people I know simply use some type of treatment in the fuel, kill the engine and forget it. For some reason, and I can't tell you why, I always disconnect the fuel line after I kill the motor.

PS: I'm also one of the guys writing in with problems getting my motor started, keeping it running, etc., so you may want to ignore my advice completely.

John

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Running out of fuel

Personally been runing carb dry in 2 strokes, 2 cylinder single carbed motors for the last 15 years and not a single problem with it, due to E fuels now a days will be better tu run engine until drops dead, internal rubber components will last much longer, other benefits, if engine is layed down will have no gas spills; if boating once in a while probably won't know when your next outing will be, next day, 1 month ? carb interior small passages will remain much better clean.

Happy Boating

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Running out of fuel

Personally been runing carb dry in 2 strokes, 2 cylinder single carbed motors for the last 15 years and not a single problem with it, due to E fuels now a days will be better tu run engine until drops dead, internal rubber components will last much longer, other benefits, if engine is layed down will have no gas spills; if boating once in a while probably won't know when your next outing will be, next day, 1 month ? carb interior small passages will remain much better clean.

Happy Boating

Except, as like already stated, that running it until it stops doesn't drain the carb, it only lowers the fuel level. People that do it either way report the same results. 15 years of doing it your way is less than half the length of time I've been doing it my way, and either way it means nothing, because basically it’s the same thing.

It will result in less fuel possibly leaking out of the carb when you lay it down though.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Running out of fuel

Except, as like already stated, that running it until it stops doesn't drain the carb, it only lowers the fuel level. People that do it either way report the same results. 15 years of doing it your way is less than half the length of time I've been doing it my way, and either way it means nothing, because basically it’s the same thing.

It will result in less fuel possibly leaking out of the carb when you lay it down though.

If you want to run carb near dry remove gas hose, when about to stall, pull/push choque and throtthle, repeat untill engined definitely dies, that way will have the least fuel remains on carb bowl, how many drops will find, don't ask me, a matter to remove bowl screw and check. Anyway, if you are a occasional boater using 2 strokes portable engines, the least fuel remains left inside carb the better...

Happy Boating

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Running out of fuel

It makes sense to run the carb dry IF you are removing the engine from the boat and don't want gas dripping and fumes in the back of your SUV. That's about the only valid reason.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Running out of fuel

People doing it either way report the same results, so what does it matter, other than to make someone feel good thinking they are doing something usefull.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Running out of fuel

I think it's a throwback to old habits for old motors, especially with high oil ratio's. I always felt like I'd rather have oily gas than salt air in there.
i have had a Yamaha outboard, early 90's vintage I think, that wouldn't restart a couple weeks later if you didn't run it out. But it was a hunt club motor subject to sporatic and inconsistent use and care.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Running out of fuel

It's up to the final user if runs his engine dry, almost dry or maintain gas remains inside carb, but with naughty E fuels, carb and gas pumps rubber parts are more subject to deteriorate faster than with non E gasolines.

Happy Boating

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Running out of fuel

It's up to the final user if runs his engine dry, almost dry or maintain gas remains inside carb, but with naughty E fuels, carb and gas pumps rubber parts are more subject to deteriorate faster than with non E gasolines.

Happy Boating

That is a true statement ONLY if the engine is NOT manufactured with ethanol tolerant fuel system components. Most engines built from the 1990's are indeed built that way. There is way too much mis-information about the evils of ethanol blended fuel on this forum.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Running out of fuel

Well, I was using 10% ethanol fuel and my ignition stopped working. I am certain that the ethanol corroded the insides of the electronics! LOL

 

[Davem3]

Re: Running out of fuel

It's up to the final user if runs his engine dry, almost dry or maintain gas remains inside carb, but with naughty E fuels, carb and gas pumps rubber parts are more subject to deteriorate faster than with non E gasolines.

Happy Boating

i have 2 new motors and this practice is recommended in the owners manual.............regardless with the carptastic fuel we now have, i think it is a great idea and have used myself for over a year with no problems at all

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Running out of fuel

Well, I was using 10% ethanol fuel and my ignition stopped working. I am certain that the ethanol corroded the insides of the electronics! LOL

Last time out I bent a blade on my prop, I know it was because of E-10.

Atually it was, I use E-10 all the time and it causes no problems, so I am on the boat a great deal, if it created problems and kept me off the water I wouldn't have dinged it.

 

[jspriddy]

Re: Running out of fuel

That is a true statement ONLY if the engine is NOT manufactured with ethanol tolerant fuel system components. Most engines built from the 1990's are indeed built that way. There is way too much mis-information about the evils of ethanol blended fuel on this forum.

Are you saying that most engines from the 1990's and newer are ethanol tolerant? Sorry, but I was just not clear what you were saying.

Thanks,

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Running out of fuel

Are you saying that most engines from the 1990's and newer are ethanol tolerant? Sorry, but I was just not clear what you were saying.

Thanks,

Yes, while E10 may be new to some parts of the country, it has been around a very long time.