running 2 cycle engine dry - Bad Idea? in Boat Mechanics Forum

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running 2 cycle engine dry - Bad Idea?

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dancudayo	running 2 cycle engine dry - Bad Idea?		Lead	[-]
Sea Worthy Posts: 102 09/02/10 02:39 PM	Tags : None Is it bad to cut the fuel supply to my little 2 cycle outboard? I have been doing this whenever I know I'm not going to be going out in it for awhile, in hopes of not gumming up the carb. Last Edited By: CaptLeeNoga 09/02/10 03:22 PM. Edited 1 time.
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wishiniwasfishin		#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2262 09/02/10 04:26 PM - 3 Limits 2012 - 9 Limits 2011	Not a mechanic, but I inherited a 2 cycle lawnmower that had a fuel shutoff. We used to cut the fuel, and let it run out every time, and that motor ran like a top. Interested to hear what the pro's have to say on this as well. I would think it would be good to not have any extra gas/oil just sitting in the motor.
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retiredmrbill		#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 733 09/02/10 05:58 PM - 1 Limits 2012 - 1 Limits 2011	I am not a mechanic either but I have always have been told that running out the fuel when you were not going to use it was a good idea. It is what is recommended for engines that are going to be stored for the winter. Deltona. "Live life like it's the white flag lap"
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Sleepless		#3	[url]	[-]
Capt's Pet Posts: 211 09/02/10 07:29 PM	retiredmrbill wrote: I am not a mechanic either but I have always have been told that running out the fuel when you were not going to use it was a good idea. It is what is recommended for engines that are going to be stored for the winter. I agree with Bill. I began using 2 cycle engines in the Midwest about 60 years ago. Through the years I have owned countless 2 cycle and 4 cycle engines on lawn equipment outboard motors, snow throwers tillers, etc. These were all seasonal use equipment, and it was essential that these be run dry at the end of the season. Neighbors that didn't ended up with varnished up carbs (or worse) while mine would start up right away. Those were in the days when all outboards and other gasoline powered equipment were equipped with sediment bowls and shut-off valves, and for good reason.
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Frank		#4	[url]	[-]
Posts: 519 09/02/10 07:30 PM Captain USCG Licensed OAK HILL - 2 Limits 2011	Before Ethanol, BE, it wasn't recommended to run the engine out of fuel, since when you ran out of gas, you ran out of oil, which is the only lubrication getting to your rings and bearings. BUT, After Ethanol ,AE I've been running the fuel out of my carbs and fuel lines in my engines if I know it will be sitting for more than a month. This keeps the alcohol from eating up the insides of my fuel lines, and having the fuel separate, creating corrosion in the carb bowl. I wouldn't do this on a regular basis, but once in a while shouldn't be a problem. http://hstrial-FranksMobileM.homestead.com/
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wishiniwasfishin		#5	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2262 09/02/10 07:38 PM - 3 Limits 2012 - 9 Limits 2011	Makes perfect sense Frank! Thanks!
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dancudayo		#6	[url]	[-]
Sea Worthy Posts: 102 09/02/10 09:15 PM	It always seems like a good idea to do to me, just thought like Frank said, no oil no lubrication. I don't know, sort of seems to me like the engine dies right away without the gas/oil mix so maybe there isn't any harm.
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Jigmaster	2nd this	#7	[url]	[-]
Captain's Mate Posts: 688 09/02/10 09:35 PM - 6 Limits 2011	Sound information! Frank As far as those of you running them Dry there is a risk. I warned my neighbor, he has been burning out the fuel for 15 years same engine....90hp Johnson this year was the first he had to have the carbs done--- so apparently there is enough Fuel residue from ethanol left behind to corrode up the carbs anyway. IF you have to run em dry and purge all lines I would suggest a shot of spray winterizing fogging oil directly into the carb itself for lubrication and prtection just before it begins to stall out. The top cyl usually runs dryer anyway and is usually the first to go... for some gravity reason- oil doesn't like to reach the top bearing. Without lubrication the rubber bearing seals will crack and dry out which then it sucks more Air than it needs causing it to run lean and wear the engine prematurely two strokes are usually only good for 2500 3000 hrs before a rebuild is needed so why make it 1500-1800 Not only that your Crank bearings without that coating of oil on them it is very likely they will pit and rust. Drastically increasing wear. So my thought is this is more harm than good. I am still conducting my personal fuel test with additives when I am done I will post results under conditions of humidity, outside, covered, uncovered, garaged all with metals,Plastic and rubber seals comparable to our engines to simulate actual circumstances within 30,60,90 day test results which include fuel breakdown,separation,octane rating, water level and corrosion. I am on day 73 with poor results thus far except for two additives fairing pretty well- I will not post the findings until after the 90 day test results. A while back I posted for those of you who wanted to pitch in on the test as far as cost so far i am at around $120 invested into the test for products and Lab supplies and fuel. Now im broke:( Naa not really. Maybe Capt. Lee will hook me up with a shrimpee T.......I am testing with 7 popular products with all of the latest greatest claims. Without putting anything out there the two products that seem the most promising thus far are effective for separate issues I may have to go a step further to see the effects when mixed together to tackle the whole ethanol issue. By the way I am also testing pure Gas as well. Gas with ethanol as well as both fuels mixed with two stroke oil seeing how I still run both. It really sucks we cant count on media or companies even the federal Govt. to provide accurate truthful information most companies pay big bucks for advertisement to sell their product to turn a profit. Snake oil or not? Stay tuned. Last Edited By: Jigmaster 09/02/10 09:57 PM. Edited 2 times.
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wishiniwasfishin		#8	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2262 09/02/10 09:46 PM - 3 Limits 2012 - 9 Limits 2011	for the federal govt. to run the same experiment as you, they would have to add about 4 zeroes to your cost figure. Yup 1.2 million should do the trick. You just need a lobbyist to get it for you, lol. I for one can't wait to hear your results. Mike
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Sleepless		#9	[url]	[-]
Capt's Pet Posts: 211 09/02/10 11:38 PM	dancudayo wrote: It always seems like a good idea to do to me, just thought like Frank said, no oil no lubrication. I don't know, sort of seems to me like the engine dies right away without the gas/oil mix so maybe there isn't any harm. The question is about running a small 2 cycle engine dry after use. The pros and cons have been discussed dozens of times but I have never read or heard a real definitive answer. However, as dancudayo mentions, the engine dies right away without the mixture. That is a very important point. When you purposely run a small 2cycle out of gas, you are doing it at idle speed, and residual oil from the mixture will keep the engine from actually turning dry or seizing. The real possibility of damage is when you are using the engine under load at relatively high RPMs and you suddenly run out of fuel. Then, the potential for damage is greatly increased. But, in actual practice, how many of us have run out of fuel while running a 2 cycle string trimmer, edger, leaf blower, or other piece of equipment? Probably all of us. How many times have the equipment been damaged even under these most adverse of conditions? Probably few, if any. My 2 cycle leaf blower is approaching 20 years old and still seems to run like new. In 1951 I purchased a 2-cycle lawn mower with the normal sediment bowl and shutoff valve. The engine still ran well when I replaced it in 1969. Yet, I normally only filled it after they had run out of gas while being operated at rather high speeds. I don't think we will all ever subscribe to the same school of thought on this issue, and I believe this thread will draw many different opinions. There have been a few references to larger 2-cycle outboard engines. The largest I have owned are a 40 hp Johnson and a 50 hp Yamaha. Both are oil-injected, so I have absolutely no reservations about running them dry since lubrication does not come from the fuel. So I don't think this type of engine should be included in this discussion. Finally, I want to stress that my opinions are just that, opinions. But they are based on almost 60 years of using and maintaining 2 cycle engines. I think this thread will become even more interesting as more members express their unique comments and/or experiences.
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