Draining carburetor float bowl

[Schnidly]

I am in the process of winterizing my outboard, little late this year, can someone please tell me how to drain the gas out of my carburetors(3) without having to start my motor and burning it out that way? My serial number is: 0B302485 and it is a 1988 Mercury 90hp 3 cylinder outboard with oil injection. I figure there is a float bowl drain plug somewhere on the carb?? Not which screw it would be and on what side of the carb its on?? Any direction here would be much apprreciated. I have been running an equivalent of SeaFoam all season long through the carbs.

 

[Chris1956]

Not all carbs have drain screws. It looks like you might be able to pull the main jet cover bolt and have the carb bowl drain a bit. I normally stabilize the fuel, run the motor to distribute the stabilized fuel and put her away for the winter( after changing the gear oil, greasing the steering and fittings and fogging her).

 

[electricjohn]

I remove the jet cover screws after running engine out of stabilized fuel. Get a few drops that way. Need a large slotted screwdriver.

 

[Schnidly]

Thanks guys, I removed the 3 large slot headed brass plugs at the bottom side of the carbs. The top carb yielded very little bluish colored gas, the middle carb a little also, the bottom carb drained the most blue colored fuel. I think this is because the carbs are all interconnected with fuel line???

 

[Texasmark]

Well you did the right thing and reasoned the right answer. Congrats.

Mark

 

[robert graham]

Tilt your motor up just a bit to tilt carb float chambers so they drain better....with drain plugs out you can squeeze primer bulb a few times to sorta flush the carb float chambers with fresh fuel before replacing the plugs. Draining carbs is a very good preventive maintenance procedure....in fact, I drain mine 2 or 3 times a year or for any lengthy motor lay-ups....

 

[tugboat80]

Does this mean that removing the slotted brass plug, at side of bottom of float bowl, will not disturb the jet or anything else if care is taken not to damage the threads or gasket?