Thread: Emptying fuel line

Never have on mine!

I never do on mine

I've heard about doing that, too. But, I've also heard that it can cause problems by doing so. You don't really run the carbs "dry", so any leftover gas could turn to varnish/gum if left for long. Also, if you have a fuel stabilizer (Stabil) or cleaner (Seafoam) in your gas, then that's less likely to happen.
If your engine is oil injected, taking the fuel line off & running the motor out of gas won't stop the oil injector & it can keep pumping ... which may make the motor harder to start on the next trip.

I don't really know ... the above is just some thoughts/statements made on other sites. I never have & never do disconnect the fuel line & run the motor (carbs) dry, and my boat sits idle for months at a time ... but starts up like normal whenever I do use it. (oil injected 2stroke 90hp Mercury)

Never! I was told by a marine tech to squeeze the bulb and put fresh fuel in the carb during periods of non-use, especially in the Summer. Keeps the O-rings lubricated and prevents varnish build-up. Been doing it for over 25 years, and my motor starts up every time in the Spring! What CrappyPappy said! "93 25 HP Mariner(Mercury) 2 stroke. Also use marine Stabil.

Nope. Although I use my boat all year, it seldom sits for more than a week.

I have never emptied the carbs on any OPE.

If you have an oil injected or 4 stroke outboard (with straight gas in the tank), it's a good idea to use a stabilizer. If you pre-mix, most quality oils already contain a stabilizer, so there is no need to add it.

I was told not to after having been doing it all my life . Mechanic said it was better to clean Carbs than cracked gaskets . Have had no problems since leaving gas in hose . Actually was told to pump up the bulb weekly during the winter . Cray or BRM would be good ones to ask .

I am not sure it matters. I have a 15 Honda 4 stroke that we pull the fuel hose and let it go dead for the last 12 years. It has set up for 3 years and crank on the first pull.
With that said, I had my carbs cleaned on my 2 stroke 50 Mercury 5 years ago and never run it out at the ramp. It cranks and runs almost like a 4 stroke.
So who knows?

I had a boat with an evinrude 25hp that was utilized in Michigan all year (including steelhead fishing on the river in winter). After every trip, the fuel line came off the motor and it would sit at idle until it ran out of gas. I would even choke it several times to run it completely dry. In 25 years, I never changed the spark plugs, never cleaned the carbs, and never had a starting issue. This was a two stroke model. I also have a 15hp johnson that has had the exact same thing done with it for the past 30 years. I'm on the second set of plugs, never cleaned the carbs and it starts on the second pull. A 4 stroke on the other hand is completely different. Those are my experiences with what you mention.