At the end of the season is it best to run all the gas out of an outboard motor or leave gas in the carbs

Question

I have a 1987 Force 125. I have to mix the gas and oil.

Answer 1

From experience, run the carb dry so the float is open and the needle valve is open. I've had them varnish shut despite fuel stabilizers. Also add some light top oil to each cylinder by removing the plug and pouring some in each.  Just enough for lube, when you start next spring, turn it over by hand to pump the oil out and to lube the walls. It will smoke for a few minutes when it is first started.

Answer 2

Run it out. Just start up the engine in the water, and unplug the fuel line and let the engine burn up the gas in the carb until it stops from fuel starvation.

Regards,

Dan

Answer 3

OK, everyone has an opinion on this, however no one has put as much research into winterization as the manufacturers of marine engines.  Follow this link to see what Merc has to say.  It's worth the read.

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http://www.mercurymarine.com/serviceandw...

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Personally, i leave stabilized fuel in... the reason... prevents o-rings and gaskets from drying out, and will prevent oxidization from condensation.

Answer 4

Have found "fogging" to be an easy way to store an outboard.

You just flush the motor on shore using "earmuffs"

It will run for some time w/ the fuel line disconnected & you spray the fogging oil directly into the carb until the motor quits.

Have lubed the bottom end before storage as well.

Wipe it down cover it up.

I would change the plugs in the spring ,needed or not after initial startup.

It will sputter & smoke a little when you start up again & then run fine all season.

Best regards

Answer 5

i run all my gas out at the end of the year.  my ex father in law bought a boat that the gas was left in over the winter and he didnt check it b4 we put it in the water and it wouldnt run. he cleaned the carb at the boat dock and it run fine  

Answer 6

It is best to run all the gas out of your motor or mix a stabilizer in your fuel. If you don't drain the fuel or add a stabilizer it will gum up, then you have to have your carb. rebuilt.

Answer 7

The upper cylinders will run dry before the lower.  They'll be dragged though dry holes.

Treat the fuel with stabil.  Run it a few minutes to get treated fuel into the carbs, then drain 'em through the hi-speed jet s***w plugs.

Answer 8

funny thing YES everyone has there own opinion and yes the Master Tech has a good point, but I dont leave the fuel with stabilizer in the engine I run it out, then pull the choke and start again to make sure the fuel is all burned out BUT BEFORE YOU RUN ALL THE FUEL OUT - go buy a can of FOGGING oil and spray it into your carbs and keep spraying till you stall the motor, restart motor and use the choke if need be after you believe all the fuel is burned out then pull your spark plugs and spray the FOGGING OIL into the cylinders and replace your plugs. I also recommend you change your lower unit oil at this time so that you will be ready for next season..... Go buy an extra set of spark plugs just in case ...... in the next season start your engine with the old spark plugs this may be a little difficult but it will fire and run DONT BE ALARMED IF IT SMOKES A LOT!! THIS IS NORMAL YOU ARE BURNING OUT THE FOGGING OIL... Now put in the new spark plugs.

Now your motor is ready for the new season!!!

This is how I do my boats (3) and I have never had a problem!!

Good Luck and sorry for the sarcasism.