Empty the fuel line at shout down?

[jamminmaz]

Good day all,<br /><br />Should you pull off the fuel line and let all the fuel burn out when you you trailer your outboard at the end of the day?<br /><br />Sorry the basic question, but i have heard it both ways now, and seek some expirenced pros advice.<br /><br />Thanks a million

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Empty the fuel line at shout down?

The general concensus is not to do it, although I did it for years with no problems. (One of those Grandpa things).<br /><br />The resons are that all the carbs do not empty at the same time so you are running the cyliders that run out of fuel first without lubrication. If it is just a single cylider, thats not an issue, but the other reason is that you run the oil out with the fuel and you risk corrosion.

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Empty the fuel line at shout down?

Agree w/L.D. In theory you are slowly wearing out your internals a little every time it runs dry.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Empty the fuel line at shout down?

Yeah, DON'T do it. Not only can it cause extra engine wear, but there is no good reason to. Unless you're winterizing, the gas in the carbs is fine.

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: Empty the fuel line at shout down?

My prodedure is..<br /><br />Remove line and run motor until idle increases and shut off. ALWAYS use fresh and stabilised fuel. Before starting and after long storage, squeeze fuel out of line into container to ensure fresh supply from tank. Use inline filter..<br />Always run motor on muffs monthly in winter. No snow or ice here in Melbourne Aus.<br />All this was learned from reading posts on iboats from people far more experienced than I.

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Empty the fuel line at shout down?

The problem with the procedure thar Unicorn describes is, even if you shut it down before you run the carbs completely dry, there is still a small amount of gas in the bowls that will evaporate and leave a small amount of residue every time you do this. It really isn't accomplishing anything and you are still running the risk of running one cyl dry. Obviously EFI-DFI engines don't have issues with carb varnish, but it can still form anywhere else in the fuel system. The best practice would be to follow the procedures listed in the operations manual for your specific outboard.

 

[nightstalker]

Re: Empty the fuel line at shout down?

Don't do it. You have little to gain and too much to lose. I never do, and I've never had a problem mate.<br />Stalker

 

[Forktail]

Re: Empty the fuel line at shout down?

You didn't say what kind of an outboard you have, or what the manufacturer recommends??<br /><br />Yamaha recommends running their 4-stroke engines dry of fuel before storing. And they recommend using stabilizer when storing their 2-strokes.<br /><br />I would recommend disconnecting the fuel line (not necessarily running dry) if you're trailering a carbed 2-stroke. Sometimes the heat can build pressure in the fuel system and cause carb flooding and a mess of oil/gas in your transom.<br /><br />BTW, my carbed 2-strokes (Yamaha) have drains at the bottom of each carb where you can completely drain any fuel. If you don't want to "run" them dry, you can drain them.