Will stabilized gas be ok in carburetor?

[RatFish]

I followed the instructions in the Mercruiser Service Manual for winter lay-up of my carbureted Mercruiser 5.0L. The manual states, among other things, that the fuel line should be disconnected from the carb and plugged in order to allow the carb to run dry while fogging the engine. OK, no problem, I did this along with removing the spark plugs and fogging each cylinder. I drained the water trapped in the cooling system (raw water cooled) and filled engine block, risers and manifolds with antifreeze.<br /><br />Here's the problem, after the carb ran dry and before I fogged each cylinder, I reconnected the fuel line to the carb. When I cranked the engine over (without starting) to distribute the fogging oil in the cylinders, the carb filled back up with gas. I didn't realize what I had done until I was done fogging and filling with antifreeze. The gas has stabilizer in it. I wanted your opinions and experiences on whether you think the gas left in the carb will "gum up the carb" after a 6 month storage period?

 

[papdetomaso]

Re: Will stabilized gas be ok in carburetor?

If you followed the mixing instructions with the gas stabilizer,and added the proper amount to your gas, I don't think you'll have a problem going six months...Pappy

 

[tommays]

Re: Will stabilized gas be ok in carburetor?

i have not had a problem leaveing in stablized gas <br /><br />tommays

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Will stabilized gas be ok in carburetor?

Originally posted by RatFish:<br /> The gas has stabilizer in it.

You just answered your own question...no problem

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Will stabilized gas be ok in carburetor?

I put the stabilizer in, gas, short ride to stir things up. It also runs through the fuel pump, hoses and carb. I don't want “unstable gas” sitting in the carb for months and a dry carb will soon need a rebuild.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Will stabilized gas be ok in carburetor?

Ratfish,I don't remember any carb Merc suggestions about running dry.They once said this about EFI,but changed their stance.<br />I think you are good to go as far as the fuel system.I would hate to have it 'dry' all winter.<br /><br />DHP

 

[RatFish]

Re: Will stabilized gas be ok in carburetor?

Thanks everybody. I feel better now. <br /><br />I had no intention of running the carb dry until I read the service manual. It struck me as odd since they say to add stabilizer to the gas and allow it to circulate through the fuel system. Go figure.<br /><br />The manual I'm using is the "Mercury/Mercruiser Service Manual Number 24, Marine Engines, GM V-8, 305 CID (5.0L)/350 CID (5.7L), part number: 908613271. The pages for “Cold Weather or Extended Storage” are 1B-39 through 1B-41.<br /><br />Thanks again!

 

[Don S]

Re: Will stabilized gas be ok in carburetor?

Oops wrong info<br /><br />EDIT:<br />Here is the right information.<br /> Service Bulletin 2001-15

 

[RatFish]

Re: Will stabilized gas be ok in carburetor?

Thanks Don. <br /><br />Are you aware of any Service Bulletins covering lay-up for carbureted engines?

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Will stabilized gas be ok in carburetor?

Ratfish,I just read the same as you say,on a service manual CD I have.It does say run dry.I'll have to check the printed issue.The CD doesn't show full pages and is hard to follow.<br /><br />At any rate,keep stabilized in the carbs.Anyone with FI,follow the service bulletin above.<br /><br />DHP

 

[RatFish]

Re: Will stabilized gas be ok in carburetor?

Yup DHP,<br /><br />It's in the printed manual.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Will stabilized gas be ok in carburetor?

hello<br /> just be aware on some FI models that return fuel to the cool fuel filter when you crack the rubber line its pressurized and will spray. a note I think should have been in the bulletin. most techs know how the system works but some and others need a reminder.<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[BinLurkin]

Re: Will stabilized gas be ok in carburetor?

I never "stabilized" anything. My chainsaw & 3rd boat have set for 5 years without it & started right up with a little ether spray to get 'em to fire off the first time.

 

[garycinn]

Re: Will stabilized gas be ok in carburetor?

Don, does your shop use the "elixer" method for EFI engines? I did my first winterization this way last year and I have yet to find a shop that does it this way. Either they put some 2-stroke in the F/S, or spray with fogging oil.

 

[Don S]

Re: Will stabilized gas be ok in carburetor?

garycin<br />Yes we do, matter of fact we use it on all the engines. We also leave it in the systems all winter. During the spring restarts you already have stabilized fuel with extra oil in the carb that can't possibly hurt anything in the engine after sitting for several months.<br />After the first start in the spring, we warm the engine up, do a full tuneup, adjust everything to specs and normally don't see them again (for running problems) till winterization. Gee, maybe we should quit doing it, could make more money that way............nah, that would probably cut in to MY boating time