Stop 2 cycle outboard engine after fishing day

[pecheux]

Good day y'awl,<br /><br />There now seem to be 2 philosophy about stopping an engine until the next fishing trip.<br /><br />uno: As I did most of my life is diconnecting the fuel line from the engine and letting it run until it stops by itself, leaving the carb almost dry.<br /><br />Secundo: Now I heard a service guy at our local Mercury dealer shop say to a customer that engines should only be stopped ... period, leaving carb full of gas/oil mixture in order to prevent residues from hardening.<br /><br />Have I been wrong all this time ?? LOL

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Stop 2 cycle outboard engine after fishing day

I only run it dry if I'm not going to be using it for a longer period of time. Varnish will build up only over many months of non-use. If you are using your boat regulary during the season, there is no need to run the carbs dry.<br /><br />At the opposite end of the spectrum, your service guy prefers to have people leave the carbs full of mixed fuel because it can only be good for business. (Varnish buildup will eventually happen and that means bring it in for service.)

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Stop 2 cycle outboard engine after fishing day

I dissagree with Cobra and I am a service guy.<br /> cobra is full o dooky on that one.<br /> sorry cobra.

 

[JB]

Re: Stop 2 cycle outboard engine after fishing day

I think running a one carb engine dry is probably okay, but not a multi-carb engine, and never a fuel injected engine.<br /><br />Like a lot of boaters I used to run my V4 OMC engines dry until I noticed that two cylinders went dry and quit before the other two, and got pulled through without lubrication until the other two quit. Now I do not do that to any multicarb engine.<br /><br />If it will be more than a few days before the next use, drain the bowls.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Stop 2 cycle outboard engine after fishing day

I was trying to be sarcastic rodbolt. Are you saying you don't believe carbs will gum up over a longer period of time? Most common boaters out there don't use stabil or other products of that type. <br /> <br />Every year someone I know, a neighbor or friend struggles to get their 2 stroke lawnmower, wipper snipper, and/or small outboard started...because they didn't stabilize their gas and/or empty the carb.<br /><br />This spring I got my old '65 Westbend 3 1/2 hp outboard motor back that I lent to a friend for his cottage use over the last few years. It wouldn't stay running. A quick carb cleaning got it going again. He left the carb full of unstabilised gas. Some engines are more sensitive to varnish buildup and others are not.

 

[pecheux]

Re: Stop 2 cycle outboard engine after fishing day

huh huh .... ok guys dont fight it out ... it's my fault. LOL<br /><br />As I am reading your posts it occurs to me that the service guy DID mention to his customer that STABIL should be in his gas tank at all times.<br /><br />In my case for many years now I add some small engine carb cleaner at every fill up ... something like 1 oz per gallon. <br /><br />Which is best then ... carb cleaner or stabil ? Or simply run it dry ?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Stop 2 cycle outboard engine after fishing day

pecheux, it's a point that will never be agreed upon. i am like you always ran my evinrudes dry, but my 1971 1350 merc tower of power i don't, but i start it on muffs, atleast ever 2 weeks, and let it run.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Stop 2 cycle outboard engine after fishing day

I have never used a stablizer untill this last year and I use Seafoam. Prior to that I store the engine in the down position and pump the bulb once in awhile to keep the carbs full. I also turn the engine over a few times about every two to three weeks. Never a problem. Ive also been one to run the carbs empty after use in the years past and never had a problem then either.

 

[pecheux]

Re: Stop 2 cycle outboard engine after fishing day

tashasdaddy ... hey Jax, fla .. have you found that wreck 24 miles SE from the Mayport jetties yet ? LOL You need to start at the boat landing next to the ferry.<br /><br />Knowing the beating outboard take around where you live due to salty air and water I think I would prefer to leave those carbs wet with either stabil or carb cleaner in them for a protective coating. <br /><br />Cheers

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Stop 2 cycle outboard engine after fishing day

I always run my engines dry before letting them sit again for whatever time, and I've had better results with less problems doing it this way than leaving the fuel in the engine ....

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Stop 2 cycle outboard engine after fishing day

Cobra. so was I but after reading it it did sound mean, my apologies.<br /> folks there are TWO things going on here, one is we are trying to prevent varnish from collecting and building up like paint layers in the carb, TWO is we are trying to keep enough oil in the crankcase/cylinder walls to prevent the nicely machined shiney steel parts from surface rusting.<br /> most my guys that run big yams or V mercs I simply dissconnect the oil link rod and allow it to run a few minutes with the oil lever wide open then crack the carb drains.<br /> you CANNOT run the carb dry and that last 1/4" at the bottom can bite.<br />certian engines will tend to fill the carbs with oil if the fuel is dissconnected.<br /> while some folks have good luck by runninng them dry I still make 100 or so each spring whine like a newborn pup when I go through the carbs.<br /> but like I say, the BIGGEST issue is to insure the shiney parts survive the storage.<br /> I tell my customers its a boat. its either broke or breaking and will break whether ya use it or not so ya may as well go burn gas.

 

[KYHunter2]

Re: Stop 2 cycle outboard engine after fishing day

When I was a kid , and lived in a colder climate.

We ran my outboard dry and hung it on the wall for the winter.

I use my boat year round now , and never run it dry.

Haven't had any problems.

I don't like the idea of running , cylinders dry . Before the others are.

Good-Luck,

KYHunter

 

[ricksrster]

Re: Stop 2 cycle outboard engine after fishing day

I agree with the Stabil side. Stabil in the summer is not bad either, since the boat runs on water, and sits around not running for short periods between trips to the lake. In the Fall, I add Stabil to the tank, drive the boat around awhile to get it to the carbs, then put the boat away for the winter. Starts right up in the Spring.