Draining the carbs

[zippy83]

In one of my previous threads many of you mentioned to clean/drain the carbs. Is this something I can do myself or do I need to take it in to the mechaninc? Engine is 74 Merc 50HP. I'd like to learn as much as posible myself. I did some research online but I get mostly car stuff.

Thanks
Zipp

 

[Bondo]

Re: Draining the carbs

In one of my previous threads many of you mentioned to clean/drain the carbs. Is this something I can do myself or do I need to take it in to the mechaninc? Engine is 74 Merc 50HP. I'd like to learn as much as posible myself. I did some research online but I get mostly car stuff.

Thanks
Zipp

Ayuh,... Find yerself a Manual, if yer kinda Handy, you can learn....

Mechanicin' ain't rocket science, but ya gotta be Handy, 'n have a toolbox fulla Tools....

 

[zippy83]

Re: Draining the carbs

I do a lot of stuff on my car So I think I can get if figured out if I can get a manual for this beast

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Draining the carbs

Normally you wouldn't need to drain the carbs out, being a 2 strokes consume all fuel untill engine drops dead. If winterizing for long time you need to drain carbs or if engine will be transported lying onto it's side to avoid gas/oil spills in car trunks, vans. It's just as simple as removing each carb's bowl lateral screw. Place a towel or container to collect bowl's draining fuel.

Happy Boating

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Draining the carbs

Zippy, Serial number???Need a OEM MERC MANUAL.

 

[carholme]

Re: Draining the carbs

If your engine is a 1974:

Service Manual P/N: 90-68647

Mercury Outboards 1966 Thru 1974 (Service Manual) C-90-68647, Mercury Marine, Ac | eBay

Parts Listing:

MERC 500 - Mercury, Mercruiser, Force, etc. Parts Lookup

Until you find an OEM service manual, here is a link to the condensed version of the Clymer manual to help you get started:

Small Engine Repair Reference Center Home: MERCURY - MERCURY FOUR-CYLINDER MODELS (1969-1989).

Download it soonest to your computer as the link is short lived.

Gerry

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Draining the carbs

Normally you wouldn't need to drain the carbs out, being a 2 strokes consume all fuel untill engine drops dead. If winterizing for long time you need to drain carbs or if engine will be transported lying onto it's side to avoid gas/oil spills in car trunks, vans. It's just as simple as removing each carb's bowl lateral screw. Place a towel or container to collect bowl's draining fuel.

Happy Boating

not if you go with the side of the room that says not to run them out....

I drained mine for the first time, no biggie, except my bottom drain screw was right on top of the cowl bottom and I couldn't get anything under there to catch it.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Draining the carbs

Sorry but you'd never ever find me running my 2 cycle dry.

 

[zippy83]

Re: Draining the carbs

Thanks for the manuals

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Draining the carbs

A lot of those mercs had the side bowl carbs with the brass main jet cover. If you remove the brass cover (3/8" wrench) the bowls will drain. You motor should have two carbs.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Draining the carbs

When you're draining the carbs, or any other work on the motor, always slide a rag or shop towel Underneath where you're working to catch those nuts, bolts, screws, etc. that you drop!...

 

[zippy83]

Re: Draining the carbs

good advise... It may also be a good idea to take pictures as well before starting to take it apart

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Draining the carbs

No harm in running them dry at an idle and it's fast and convenient. Just tickle the choke when the engine starts to stop to keep pulling the last of the fuel out of the carburetors

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Draining the carbs

No harm in running them dry at an idle and it's fast and convenient. Just tickle the choke when the engine starts to stop to keep pulling the last of the fuel out of the carburetors

You feel comfortable doing it then go ahead. I certainly wouldn't advise some one to do it to a 2 stroke. Not going to chance burning up a cylinder or piston because of running it dry for even a second.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Draining the carbs

good advise... It may also be a good idea to take pictures as well before starting to take it apart

Probably not much to "take apart"...just remove the airbox(intake) and look around on the bottoms/sides of carb float bowl for a drain screw. Personally, I remove each drain screw, but some folks recommend just loosening the screw enough to let the gas sorta leak out...that way you don't risk dropping the screw. One other small item, don't over-tighten those drain screws to the point you strip out the threads...that float bowl is just soft aluminum. Good Luck!

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Draining the carbs

You feel comfortable doing it then go ahead. I certainly wouldn't advise some one to do it to a 2 stroke. Not going to chance burning up a cylinder or piston because of running it dry for even a second.

No possible damage can occur. Residual oil on the cylinder walls alone would prevent any damage...And that's the way we have been preaching to our customers to do it for over 50 years and none of them ever suffered a problem from it. Not that that means anything though