Can i run my outboard boat motor when its out of the water.?

Question

Can i run my outboard boat motor when its out of the water.?

Answer 1

Yes.

Answer 2

So long as you give it a good supply of water to keep it cool.

Answer 3

Yes, but it will do damage.  If the boat is landbound, fill a large garbage can with water and put the motor in that.  Outboards or inboards should always be run with some water.

Answer 4

If it's an air-cooled motor  (briggs & stratton), yes.  

otherwise,

NO!!

not without a garden hose attachment.

it only takes about 30 seconds of dry running to seriously damage the water pump impeller.

Answer 5

Yes, but you need the correct hose attachment to place on the intake on the outboards lower unit.  The attachment u-shaped with 2 suction cups to cover the intake ports commonly called flush muffs!

They would have this available at any local marine shop or you can order online.

Answer 6

Go to boat shop and get device to connect garden hose to engine. You will destroy the water pump impeller if you run w/out water.

Answer 7

only for a minute or it will over heat it has to have water running thru it for it to cool.. but yes you can run it for a short time only

Answer 8

If it is a small engine (say less than 25p) you can run it by placing the leg in a barrel of water.  It needs to be deep enough to come up to where the water would normally (above cavitation plate).  This is better than a hose because it is quieter and you can add antifreeze/summer colant to the water to clean and protect the inside of the engine.