Does anyone know about mercury outboard motors?

Question

When I lay the motor on its back, it leaks gas. I was told that this will happen. Is there a special way to lay it down so nothing leaks out?

Also, can the engine get messed up if you turn the gas line off while it's running and wait until the gas left in the line burns out?

Answer 1

I presume this is a small outboard with a tiller handle.  Mercury recomends that you transport the motor laying on its right side, tiller up.  The only possible damage you can do by running the motor dry is if you leave it for prolonged periods, the o-ring seals in the carb and the pump diaphram can dry out and crack, but this takes years.  When you store your motor over the winter(if you have winter where you are), Have it "fogged" to prevent corrosion and rubber breakdown.

Answer 2

Hi:   I don't know if your 4 hp is a 2 or 4 cycle but I always had small engines on my sailboats,  and when I get back to the dock I take the fuel line off the motor and run it dry,  This should take care of the fuel leak,  I've done this for many years with no problems.

Good Luck Joe

Answer 3

No the process to drain the gas won't hurt the engine, and is a good way to get the carb empty. We do this when transporting engines or draining for the winter lay-up.

Answer 4

You can run it with the gas off, this will drain thge carbs of gas and they will not leak when the engine is flat. No damage will occur.