How often should I dry out my outboard's carburetor?

[parkjehhyun]

Hi all,

I've got a 1996 Force 120 HP 2-stroke outboard motor.

I'm lucky enough to take the boat out every other week, and on occasion won't take it out for three weeks or slightly more. How often should I dry out my carburetor by running the motor til its out of fuel, with the fuel line disconnected?



Thank you for any help!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: How often should I dry out my outboard's carburetor?

I wouldn't. You run the risk of briefly starving some of the cylinders of fuel/lubrication when you do this so it's not something I'd make a habit of especially since you run it pretty frequently. Best thing to do if it's going to be laid up for a bit is to just treat that last tank of gas with marine Stabil or the like.

 

[brnschoneck]

Re: How often should I dry out my outboard's carburetor?

AGREED I never run mine out however i do run stabalizer through it when i get home or while out always keep a bottle with me ...simply add it then run for 10 min .. or so so the gas in the carbs is treated ...I do also run sea foam a few times a year just to clean out carbs never had a problem yet !!!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: How often should I dry out my outboard's carburetor?

some of us run our boats every two weeks so we won't have to do anything!

I wouldn't do anything to a motor unless a boat will be sitting 2 months or more. Many do fine with 4-6 months sitting. But sitting or not, I'd always treat the gas if it's E10.

I have a boat (70 hp) I use every 3-4 months and don't do anything except treat the gas with startron or stable, but I get ethanol-free gas for it.

the best thing you can do is run it, under a load at high speed. plus you get a boat ride!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: How often should I dry out my outboard's carburetor?

Yeah, I admit, I don't really do anything to even "winterize" my outboard. I haven't had any issues yet.

 

[parkjehhyun]

Re: How often should I dry out my outboard's carburetor?

I didn't feel it was necessary to do it either considering how often I go out, so now I will definitely add some Stabil or run with seafoam if I plan to let it sit for a few months instead.



Thank you all for your input!

 

[roscoe]

Re: How often should I dry out my outboard's carburetor?

Hi all,

I've got a 1996 Force 120 HP 2-stroke outboard motor.

I'm lucky enough to take the boat out every other week, and on occasion won't take it out for three weeks or slightly more. How often should I dry out my carburetor by running the motor til its out of fuel, with the fuel line disconnected?



Thank you for any help!

Never.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: How often should I dry out my outboard's carburetor?

You cannot completely empty the carb by running it until it quits. There will always be a bit of fuel in the carb. Treat the fuel and run the engine long enough to get the treated fuel into the carb and put it to bed.