What's the harm in laying an outboard down?

[Lion hunter]

I hear alot that you should not lay an outboard on it's side or back. Why is that. I understand a 4-stroke ond the oil issue letting all the oil run into the power head. And a 2 stroke I wouldn't think you'd want your lower unit higher than the power head incase LU lube ran up the leg. But is there another reason not to lay a 2 stroke down?

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: What's the harm in laying an outboard down?

Nothing wrong with it, for a short while. Make sure the powerhead is higher than the foot/gearcase. If your LU seals are good you won't get gear oil out of there. If it's fresh from a run/the water, there is a mix of unburned fuel and water inside the leg unless it was hung up vertical to drain for awhile. If the foot is higher than the powerhead, that residue can run up to the powerhead...don't want any kind of water in there. They should be stored upright.