Reducing fuel related issues

[yankee]

Just a quick question for you guys.  After your day in the bay or on the lake or river, do you pull your fuel line from your outboard and let it run dry of fuel?  I don't run my boat as much as I would like and gumming issues are a problem for me.  I use Sta-bil in the fuel and try and start my motor a couple times a month to try and eliminate this issue but never run my motor dry at the end of the day.  I've heard some say that this will cause the motor to run extremely rich as the fuel dwindles down in the carbs?  Any input you guys have would be appreciated.

[Juan]

I had a 2 stroke 200 hp on a brand new bass boat once that I ran dry after every use (thinking that was the right thing to do). It threw a rod through the block and I haven't' done it since. It might be okay to run a 4 stroke dry, but I've never disconnected the fuel line or pumped the primer ball on mine.

[freezerfiller]

after years of gumming problems, I've run any carburetor dry that I've ever owned since 2 stroke or 4. Particularly at the end of a season. The stuff that doesn't evaporate turns to gum. I think Juan's experience is not common, but don't blame him for his superstitions.

[Juan]

Aug 16, 2020 19:56:29 GMT -6 freezerfiller said:

after years of gumming problems, I've run any carburetor dry that I've ever owned since 2 stroke or 4. Particularly at the end of a season. The stuff that doesn't evaporate turns to gum. I think Juan's experience is not common, but don't blame him for his superstitions.

Yep, probably nothing more than a superstition but I swear to this day that one of two things killed that motor. 1. Running the fuel out after each use or 2. running ethanol fuel. I don't claim to know the right answer and when I don't know, I resort to common sense... I have yet to see an owner's manual that recommends running the fuel out of an outboard unless it's not going to be used and is stored for an extended period.

[mosquito13]

I walk by the boat every day and squese the primmer  ball till it gets hard (bring it on sicko's) . This ensures the carburetor float bowls are full . Also store outboard in down level so the carburetor float bowls are completely full. During use at good 3/4 to full throttle (warn others to hold on) hit the coke until the engine just about dies. This will suck out anything in the carbs thru the main jet(largest fuel orifice in the carb). Might think about getting a cow trough (75 gallon) at tractor supply or such. Lets you run for extended time even when you can't get out. There is a reason the shops use tanks and not just the flush hose... Mind you I live in FLA and it is boating season year round. W.T.F. do I know about winterizing . Unless you have direct port injected oil , running a engine dry is just that , running it with out lubrications(2 stroke)... Also besides running only rec fuel I add Yamaha Ring Free 1 oz to every ten gallons. It another expense, but even other outboard manufactures recommend using it. www.partsvu.com/blog/yamalube-ring-free-plus-do-you-really-need-it/

[yankee]

I read up on the Yamaha ring free additive and it sounds like a good habit to get into. Would you use this along with the Sta-bil or use it by itself?

And this is what I've heard from others on running the engine dry. Some do it without problems, and others have problems just like Juan did. It's kind of a catch 22. Damned if you do and damned if you don't.

[Juan]

I like Lucas Oil products so I use this stuff:


lucasoil.com/products/fuel-treatments/lucas-fuel-treatment