Running the gas out of the engine......

[kingfish543]

Running the gas out of the engine......

Good or Bad??<br />I used to do that with a 1976 175 Evinrude every time I stored the boat for a month or so between trips and I never had carburetor problems.<br />......Facts?.....Opinions?.....<br /><br />thanks......kf

 

[John Reynolds]

Re: Running the gas out of the engine......

Re: Running the gas out of the engine......

There's been a lot of discussion about that on this forum. Some say that it's not good, because the engine operates for a little while without oil. Some folks say it's good, and that they've done it for years with no troubles. I think someone said that you should run the gas out, and before it stops squirt in a little oil like WD-40. I think I may do the latter.

 

[lakeman1999]

Re: Running the gas out of the engine......

Re: Running the gas out of the engine......

Back in the old days, when we used the 30 weight motor oil, and mixed it heavy we always run the gas out of the motor, as the tank was mounted on the motor then, and had a cutoff valve between tank and carb. I don't today, with my modern motors, in fact untill you brought it up I had forgot that we used to do that.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Running the gas out of the engine......

Re: Running the gas out of the engine......

Well, here's the thing. You can never get ALL the gas out of a carb by running it out. The small amount left is prone to turn into varnish and gum. Repair shops get a lot of business in the spring cleaning carbs that the gas has been left in. If the gas has stabilizer in it, that's a different story. And if you can run your motor on muffs every month or so to keep fresh stabilized gas in the carbs, even better. It works for me. Just my 2 cents.

 

[22WRF]

Re: Running the gas out of the engine......

Re: Running the gas out of the engine......

Have to agree with my neighbor Jack over in AL<br /><br />Down here we don't really have to winterize and can run the motor at least once a month year around.<br /><br />If your are going to lay one one up for several months (or a Year or more) the sure way to prevent problems on start-up is drain the float bowl take the gas line(s) off the carb(s) and blow them out with compressed air.<br /><br />Even this at this no level you still may have dried out gaskets.

 

[kingfish543]

Re: Running the gas out of the engine......

Re: Running the gas out of the engine......

Thank you, gentlemen, for your time and replies.<br />It all makes sense.....<br /><br />later.....kf

 

[hunt-fish.com]

Re: Running the gas out of the engine......

Re: Running the gas out of the engine......

KF,<br /><br />Here's my 2 cents. I have 2 motors both same year same make. 1990 Johnson 115, 1991 Evinrude 115. Johnson has VRO and rude has VRO removed. I always run the rude dry every time to the lake. No carb problems ever. The Johnson, per dealer's direction has never been run dry. I have some carb problems with the Johnson every time it sits for a month or two. Usually stored with stabilizer fuel cleaner trying to prevent this. Every motor I have ever owned prior to the Johnson I have run dry every trip and never had carb problems. The VRO oil injection system makes it hard to run it dry. There is a special process that has to be used prior to "storage". The dealer told me to run it frequently with fresh gas to avoid the gummed up carb. Unfortunately, this is not practical all of the time. I have had success running it on the motor flusher once a month during the winter when not in use. Hope this helps.<br /><br />John

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Running the gas out of the engine......

Re: Running the gas out of the engine......

Kingfish.... A engine that has but one carburetor may be run out of gas due to the fact that when that carb runs out, the engine stops running.<br /><br />When a engine has more than one carb and one runs it out of gas, the upper carb(s) will run out first if for no other reason, gravity. The engine will then continue to run on the remaining carburetor(s).<br /><br />This results in having at least one aluminum piston running up and down a steel cylinder wall with improper or no lubrication. Not a good idea.

 

[Ranger Dave]

Re: Running the gas out of the engine......

Re: Running the gas out of the engine......

I alway run the engine out of gas. I turn the fuel line off and let the mighty 79 Johnson 4hp to run dry. It is used on my canoe so it is always being tilted one way or another. This saves me from getting gas everywhere.<br /><br />Its not like the engine is totally dry when you run it out of gas at an idle.

 

[lakeman1999]

Re: Running the gas out of the engine......

Re: Running the gas out of the engine......

Yea, you used to carry the motor in the trunk, and rent a boat or carry your own on the car top carriers, then take the motor out and mount to the boat after putting it in the water.

 

[united jigsticker]

Re: Running the gas out of the engine......

Re: Running the gas out of the engine......

If you treat your gas with Sta-Bil or SeaFoam, mix it up good, and be sure to run the motor long enough so that the gas from the tank reaches the carbs and fills them. If you do this the carbs will be fine. (remember it may take about 2 minutes @ half throttle to get the carbs full of treated gasoline)<br /><br />Remember, the less gas in the carbs, the quicker it goes stale and varnishes, so if you do not treat your gas, and run the gas out, some of your orphises will eventually varnish and plug.

 

[Hooty]

Re: Running the gas out of the engine......

Re: Running the gas out of the engine......

...or every few days, just pump the bulb and keep the carbs full of fuel. That's what I do in the summer.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty