Winterizing?

[eddie haskell]

Winterizing, best to run gas out of the motor on a 2 stroke or drain the bowls instead?

 

[Gold Eagle Co]

The more and more often recommended practice is to try and keep the fuel system as full as possible, treat it with a quality fuel stabilizer, then run the equipment for a few minutes to make sure the whole system is treated. This ensures the gas will stay fresh longer and it will help protect the fuel system. Unless you completely blow the lines out, you're going to have some little amount of fuel left that can cause gum and varnish. Over time, this can clog fuel systems. Also, when you drain the tank, you leave the fuel system susceptible to rust & corrosion due to condensation. Please let us know if you have any further questions!

Have a great day!

 

[shrew]

deleted comment

 

[Gold Eagle Co]

To build on our last post, when the fuel system is left with plenty of room for condensation, you could also be setting yourself up for phase separation. There are a lot of myths provided by other additives about their ability to "fix" phase separation. Please enjoy the videos below and let us know if you have any questions or comments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_trDdrT-Vo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XzEQVOg5wI

Have a great day!

 

[alldodge]

Winterizing, best to run gas out of the motor on a 2 stroke or drain the bowls instead?

Being an outboard you could just run it until it dies. After it dies there will be a bit of fuel left in the bottom of the bowls, so to get it all out removal of the bowls is best

 

[oldjeep]

Maybe we are just lucky, but the 2 strokes just get parked and started up next season without doing anything to them like every 4 stroke we have. The gas around here comes with plenty of stabilizer in it from the pump, so never had to add anything to the fuel.

 

[redneck joe]

how long is your layup? Couple three months don't worry about anything. otherwise I'd use Stabil in fuel, mixed well, then just run dry.

 

[Chris1956]

I would not run a large 2 - cycle motor with multiple carbs dry. If you do, some cylinders will be running without oil, as some carbs will run dry first. Instead, put stabilizer in the fuel and run her for a few minutes to distribute. Spray some fogging oil into carb throats and try to stall her. When she is smoking well, stall her or turn her off. Let motor drain, and then change the gear oil. Spray with corrosion guard, grease the zerc fittings, remove the prop, disconnect and charge the battery. Also, grease the steering.

 

[tpenfield]

Just did my outboard yesterday. . . Stabilized the fuel ran some thru the engine . . . . and then let it run dry.

I usually go with fuel system cleaner in the spring.

 

[Gold Eagle Co]

I would not run a large 2 - cycle motor with multiple carbs dry. If you do, some cylinders will be running without oil, as some carbs will run dry first. Instead, put stabilizer in the fuel and run her for a few minutes to distribute. Spray some fogging oil into carb throats and try to stall her. When she is smoking well, stall her or turn her off. Let motor drain, and then change the gear oil. Spray with corrosion guard, grease the zerc fittings, remove the prop, disconnect and charge the battery. Also, grease the steering.

This is a great way to do it!

Running the fuel system dry really is setting up potential for more headache than it's worth. A quality fuel stabilizer will guarantee to keep the fuel fresh well beyond the duration of your typical winter storage. The only time you see trouble is if you rarely use the boat during the summer then maybe go to add fuel stabilizer at the end of the season. Since today's gas can start to degrade very quickly, you may be trying to stabilize fuel that has already began breaking down.

Have a great day!