Good Practice?

G

Guest

Guest
I did some searching through the forums and couldn't find anything, even though I bet it has already been posted...

Does anyone regularly run their two stroke outboard "dry" after a day out on the water to clear the gas/oil out of the carb? Is this necessary if the motor is used every 1 or 2 weeks? I haven't been doing it, a buddy recommended that I unplug the fuel line and let it run until it dies after every use?

He specifically said that it would keep the carb jet from getting gunked up..

Replies are appreciated.

Thanks.
 

BoatBuoy

Rear Admiral
Joined
May 29, 2004
Messages
4,856
Re: Good Practice?

You didn't search enough. There's volumes written about this. Some believe it should be done, some don't.

Just use fuel stabilizer and don't worry about it.
 

jimyoung

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 28, 2007
Messages
214
Re: Good Practice?

I have always done it....fuel does go bad.....have never had a starting issue on the 4 different motors I have had over the years...........my 1956 evinrude is a new venture for me......have alot to learn about it.......
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: Good Practice?

Running a two-stroke engine dry means that each cylinder does not run out of fuel at exactly the same time. And if one or more cylinders run dry, that means no fuel -- hence no lubrication either. Secondly, running an engine out of fuel does not fully empty the carb float bowl so some fuel remains. In addition to the fuel that remains, you have now allowed more room for air. Just treat the fuel and forget this nonsense -- with one exception. That would be a portable engine that must be layed over for transport. There it would make sense to at least rid the engine of most of the fuel. Treated fuel can be left for months with no damage or gunking.
 
G

Guest

Guest
Re: Good Practice?

Running a two-stroke engine dry means that each cylinder does not run out of fuel at exactly the same time. And if one or more cylinders run dry, that means no fuel -- hence no lubrication either. Secondly, running an engine out of fuel does not fully empty the carb float bowl so some fuel remains. In addition to the fuel that remains, you have now allowed more room for air. Just treat the fuel and forget this nonsense -- with one exception. That would be a portable engine that must be layed over for transport. There it would make sense to at least rid the engine of most of the fuel. Treated fuel can be left for months with no damage or gunking.

Thank you for the informative post Silvertip!

What fuel treatment additive do you recommend?
 

bogggar1

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 21, 2007
Messages
114
Re: Good Practice?

I concur with Silvertip... running it out of gas/oil mix is harmful to ur vital engine components. :cool:
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Good Practice?

Most of us recommend using Seafoam, treatment. keeps a clean carb clean.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Good Practice?

The practice seems harmless in single carburetor engines, but with multiple carbs I think it risks damage in the cylinders that run dry first.

I have always done it with small, portable engines that will be removed from the transom.

I never do it on multi-carb engines.
 
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