Run Engine out of gas before leaving dock?

[notarealone]

Had several guys get into this discussion at a local Bass Tournament.<br />When removing your boat at the end of the day and you are not going to use it for several days or weeks, should you unplug the fuel line from the motor and run the motor till it stops? There-by emptying the carb bowls.<br />Have heard several arguments for and against this idea. What ideas do you have on this? Serious replies only, please.

 

[AJ168]

Re: Run Engine out of gas before leaving dock?

I've heard both sides of it. Leaving the old gas can clog up the carbs, but the oil in a 2 stroke mix is a good thing to be left on the cylinders. I'm not sure about 4 strokes. I go with a happy medium before storing the boat. Run it until it just starts to die out. This way the fuel lines and carbs are dry but there's still enough fuel in the cylinders to keep them lubricated.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Run Engine out of gas before leaving dock?

Running it dry is probably more destructive than any varnish that can form from about 2 oz of gas evaporating from a fuel bowl. When running it dry, the needle and roller bearings will probably be OK, but those rings will wear fast.<br /><br />If you really really really want to drain the fuel, use the drain plugs in the float bowls, or remove the bowls.

 

[KRS]

Re: Run Engine out of gas before leaving dock?

By running it dry, you are effectively running it in a lean condition until it dies, leaning an engine increases wear, heat, etc.

 

[trog100]

Re: Run Engine out of gas before leaving dock?

"Have heard several arguments for and against this idea"<br /><br />if there was any real advantage to be gained from doing it the arguements would not exsist and the benefits would be apparent..<br /><br />when things go round and round it usually means it dont matter either way..<br /><br />trog

 

[Pony]

Re: Run Engine out of gas before leaving dock?

around here almost every boat is used maybe once every few weeks all through summer and then that is it. I, like the others have said, think running the carbs dry would cause more bad than good. <br /><br />Knowing that my boat could sit for a few weeks without use put some stabil in almost every tank to make sure the gas stays good. The small amount of gas in the carbs isnt going to do much in only two weeks time. I do however unplug the fuel line at the motor, so that pressure from the tank that builds up over time doesnt leak fuel into my carb. Even that is more for my peace of mind. <br /><br />Basically....a couple weeks its not an issue, a couple of months, fog it

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Run Engine out of gas before leaving dock?

How many of you hear a " squek, squek " when the engine stops? Have you ever pulled a head off 2 or 3 days later and ran your finger along the cylinder walls? I thought so. It does not dry out and remove the oil at idle. There is no heat to cook the oil off. Most engines if idled should have rich mixtures for smooth shifting with no stalling. There is no wear.... Theoretical crap.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Run Engine out of gas before leaving dock?

One reason I heard is that on a multi cylinder engine, not all the carb bowls run out of fuel at the same time. So... for example, 3 of 4 cylinders may still be firing, but the 4th cylinder has already run out of fuel, and that would be BAD! A good decarb once or twice a year keeps any sludge clear that might have accumulated from leaving the bowls full. I don't run mine dry.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Run Engine out of gas before leaving dock?

If you are using a fuel treatment there is no need to run the engine out of fuel.