Should I run fuel out at end of the day?

Old School

Cadet
Joined
Sep 22, 2008
Messages
7
HI.....newbie here. I'm also a first time boat owner and I have a smple question. Should I disconnect my fuel line at the motor (quick disconnect) at the end of my boating trips? I have a 1976 70H.P. Evinrude, with portable tanks.
I consider myself mechanically enclined, so if there is a possible thorough explanation as to why I should or should not that anyone can tell me.....it would be much appreciated. thanx in advance
 

Joe Reeves

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 24, 2002
Messages
13,262
Re: Should I run fuel out at end of the day?

If you had one carburetor..... fine. However, you have more than one carburetor. The top carburetor will run out of fuel before any other due to gravity if nothing else. The engine will continue to run on the other carburetors for some time. This results in having at least one alumium piston running up and down a steel cylinder wall with improper (or no) lubrication. Really not a good idea.
 

wavrider

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 26, 2007
Messages
543
Re: Should I run fuel out at end of the day?

Fuel stabilizer or sea foam mixed in the gas. This will prevent any build up of gum or varnish deposits.
Leave the gas in your carbs.
 

TN-25

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 27, 2008
Messages
620
Re: Should I run fuel out at end of the day?

The same question, but figure a single carburator on a portable motor. A portable will be tilted of laid down during transport. What is the answer in this case?
 

Sea18Horse

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 1, 2008
Messages
626
Re: Should I run fuel out at end of the day?

I was thinking the same thing. Mine get taken off the boat and laid in the back of the pickup for the ride home. Single carbs on mine. I personally loosen the gas cap and let the carb run out of gas when I'm done. Even though there is still some gas in the carbs afterwards they seem to like it better. When I take them off the boat they are laid on their backs before I lift them into the truck. If they're still full then there's a lot of gas that gets dumped right down the carb throat.

Cheers....................Todd
 

5150abf

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 12, 2007
Messages
5,808
Re: Should I run fuel out at end of the day?

You should drain the carbs at the end of the season and you should do that with the drain plug on the carb not by running it out of gas.

But no for an everyday thing there is no need to drain the gas.
 

Joe Reeves

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 24, 2002
Messages
13,262
Re: Should I run fuel out at end of the day?

TN-25...... As per the beginning of my reply "If you had one carburetor..... fine."

Meaning, if the engine has but one carburetor, running the engine out of fuel does no harm. At least that has been my experience. I usually have it running at a somewhat increased idle rpm and use the choke at various settings to run as much out as possible. When the carburetor (fuel system) runs dry, the engine simply shuts down.
 
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