Decided to start a new topic rather than clutter up Sherry's post about checklists when leaving the boat. I mentioned that I disconnect, drain and stow the outboard fuel line, but couldn't give much of a reason when asked. JC mentioned that he does the same with his dingy's outboard and the reason was to prevent gas from going stale if he isn't planning to use the motor for a week or so. In my case, the motor gets used a minimum of twice a week so this reasoning might not apply. What do you other folks do, and why?
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Disconnect the fuel line!!!!!!!!!!
Why? I connected the fuel line two years ago and haven't disconnected it since, even through winter storage. I leave the fuel in the tank, the line on the tank and outboard, and the outboard on the dingy and the whole mess, covered on the trailer. Jim
Why? I connected the fuel line two years ago and haven't disconnected it since, even through winter storage. I leave the fuel in the tank, the line on the tank and outboard, and the outboard on the dingy and the whole mess, covered on the trailer. Jim
I disconnect the fuel line
and run the carb dry. Then I lock the fuel line in a locker. Helps keep the boat where I left it. Tom s/v GAIA
and run the carb dry. Then I lock the fuel line in a locker. Helps keep the boat where I left it. Tom s/v GAIA
Goo in the Carb
Mike, When I bought Tula 18 months ago, her tender's 5hp honda was running like crap. Would not idle well, ran rough and generally was tough to run. Took the outboard into the local shop and the guy said that I should always run the engine with the gas line disconnected until all the gas is run fom the engine before stowing the outboard in Tula's lazerette. He showed me another engine that he was to start working on and the carb was gummed up with jellified gas. So I have run all the gas out until it stalls each time and the engine is running perfectly. As I live far from the ocean, I only sail once a month in the summer. If you start the engine twice a week, it may not need this. Peter
Mike, When I bought Tula 18 months ago, her tender's 5hp honda was running like crap. Would not idle well, ran rough and generally was tough to run. Took the outboard into the local shop and the guy said that I should always run the engine with the gas line disconnected until all the gas is run fom the engine before stowing the outboard in Tula's lazerette. He showed me another engine that he was to start working on and the carb was gummed up with jellified gas. So I have run all the gas out until it stalls each time and the engine is running perfectly. As I live far from the ocean, I only sail once a month in the summer. If you start the engine twice a week, it may not need this. Peter
Disconnecting it has other benefits too
By the way, in addition to keeping the fuel fresh, I put the fuel line in a locked locker so the whole dinghy kitten-k-boodle (sp?) doesn't grow legs and walk away. I learned about the stale fuel gunk from my motorcycle. I use to ride a bike years ago but I just didn't like riding it on the freeway and having to fight for road space with cars. So I let it sit for over a year. Well, when I tried to ride it again, it wouldn't start, and I took the carb apart, and whoooooah! big surprise. Now I try to be a good boy whenever I can. If you are using your outboard pretty often, then no gunk worries. We don't often use our dinghy outboard unless we on on the hook and needed a water taxi to shore. Usually we row ashore unless the beach is too far away or too windy. Sometimes a premixed 5 gal of fuel will last us 2 years.
By the way, in addition to keeping the fuel fresh, I put the fuel line in a locked locker so the whole dinghy kitten-k-boodle (sp?) doesn't grow legs and walk away. I learned about the stale fuel gunk from my motorcycle. I use to ride a bike years ago but I just didn't like riding it on the freeway and having to fight for road space with cars. So I let it sit for over a year. Well, when I tried to ride it again, it wouldn't start, and I took the carb apart, and whoooooah! big surprise. Now I try to be a good boy whenever I can. If you are using your outboard pretty often, then no gunk worries. We don't often use our dinghy outboard unless we on on the hook and needed a water taxi to shore. Usually we row ashore unless the beach is too far away or too windy. Sometimes a premixed 5 gal of fuel will last us 2 years.
I never disconnect the fuel line
I have an outboard on my Oday 23, and leave the fuel line connected all summer. On average, the engine gets started once a week, but there are times when I go two weeks or more between sails. I have never had a problem with a gummy carb, maybe due to the fact that I also routinely use one of those "fuel fresh" additives that allow you to store fuel for up to a year.
I have an outboard on my Oday 23, and leave the fuel line connected all summer. On average, the engine gets started once a week, but there are times when I go two weeks or more between sails. I have never had a problem with a gummy carb, maybe due to the fact that I also routinely use one of those "fuel fresh" additives that allow you to store fuel for up to a year.
No connection, no legs
On our C25 we disconnected the fuel line all the time we were away from the boat because there's no ignition key for an outboard. Even if the fuel tank vent is closed, the engine could conceivably run for ten minutes and thus the whole boat could more easily be stolen. Lots depends on whether you're talking about an outboard on the main boat or on the dinghy, and how they are secured. Good points all above.
On our C25 we disconnected the fuel line all the time we were away from the boat because there's no ignition key for an outboard. Even if the fuel tank vent is closed, the engine could conceivably run for ten minutes and thus the whole boat could more easily be stolen. Lots depends on whether you're talking about an outboard on the main boat or on the dinghy, and how they are secured. Good points all above.
count the strokes
If you run the gas out of a 4 stroke, the crank continues to receive full lubrication from the oil reservoir. But if you run a 2 stroke dry, the bearings are being run dry too and will be the same on startup. Sure, there will be a little residual film, but not a lot. Gasoline now won't last as long as it used to, I'm told, because refiners can no longer put in additives that extend its life (for environmental reasons.) It certainly will last several weeks, but 6 months or more is pushing it.
If you run the gas out of a 4 stroke, the crank continues to receive full lubrication from the oil reservoir. But if you run a 2 stroke dry, the bearings are being run dry too and will be the same on startup. Sure, there will be a little residual film, but not a lot. Gasoline now won't last as long as it used to, I'm told, because refiners can no longer put in additives that extend its life (for environmental reasons.) It certainly will last several weeks, but 6 months or more is pushing it.
Where do you disconnect?
For those of you that disconnect the fuel line and run the engine until it stalls: Do you disconnect at the engine, or do you disconnect at the fuel tank? I have a Honda 5hp, 4 stroke for my dinghy. I have been disconnecting at the fuel tank and letting it run until it stalls. My reason for doing it this way is to remove fuel from the fuel line as well as from the carb. Your thoughts? Jack Friendship C350, #80
For those of you that disconnect the fuel line and run the engine until it stalls: Do you disconnect at the engine, or do you disconnect at the fuel tank? I have a Honda 5hp, 4 stroke for my dinghy. I have been disconnecting at the fuel tank and letting it run until it stalls. My reason for doing it this way is to remove fuel from the fuel line as well as from the carb. Your thoughts? Jack Friendship C350, #80
re: where do you disconnect
I disconnect at the fuel tank too - as much to miminize spilling fuel when I reconnect as anything. There's still some residual fuel in the line even then. Bah.
I disconnect at the fuel tank too - as much to miminize spilling fuel when I reconnect as anything. There's still some residual fuel in the line even then. Bah.
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