Should I run this engine dry before leaving the ramp?

[27E_20]

So I am trying to troubleshoot a fuel leak and I have came across some posts that contradict what everyone has told me since I have owned my boat (little over 2 years).

The engine is a 1990 Johnson GT200 V6 (with oil pump disabled- bought it that way). Is this an engine that needs to be ran dry every time I am finished using the boat, or just before long periods of storage? I was thinking of installing a valve right after the primer bulb that I could control the fuel supply with, but I have read that doing this will cause cylinders to run out of the gas/oil mixture before others, leaving them vulnerable to possible damage.

I too, am having the fuel leak from the bottom of the air silencer cover. The gasket has separated and will be replaced, but I think there are other issues at work contributing to the leak (Carb spitback, Leaf-plates). I am not sure if running the engine dry will help that problem at all.

Any advice?

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Should I run this engine dry before leaving the ramp?

(Running Engine Out Of Gas)
(J. Reeves)

If the engine has but one carburetor, it's unlikely that running the engine out of gas would do any harm. When the carburetor runs out of the fuel/oil mixture, the engine stops running.

However, a engine that has more than one carburetor should simply be shut off. The reasoning is that the top carburetor will run out of fuel first due to gravity and the engine will continue to run on because of the still existing fuel in the other lower carburetors.

This results in having at least one aluminum piston running up and down a steel cylinder wall with improper or no lubrication. Not a good idea!

 

[27E_20]

Re: Should I run this engine dry before leaving the ramp?

Thats what I thought. I will definitely scrap the valve idea.

Thanks!!