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off-the-grid · 16-03-2011, 16:21

WOW!

Without even changing anything, and simply just not running the fuel out, it seems to be starting by second pull every time.

Now the question is, why the hell would a dealer tell you to run it out, if apparently that's not the best thing for the engine?

downunder · 16-03-2011, 16:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

What, you dumped a priceless antique at sea

Mine:

All I ever wanted was a reliable outboard not a priceless antique.

They make a good antique. Pete7, yours looks too flash to use anyway.

Ike · 16-03-2011, 16:57

Actually it's one of those question where the answer is "depends". If you use your small outboard everyday or even weekly then not running it out is fine. If you let it sit for long periods then it's not fine. Gasoline has a lot of things in it besides gasoline and ethanol, and many of them are distructive to fuel systems if you let the fuel sit in the system for a long period of time. I'm talking months or years here, not days or weeks. This is why cars and trucks don't have the kinds of problems boat engines do. The fuel is run through the engines fairly rapid and does not have time to do it's worst on the hoses, pumps, filters and other fittings. But most boats sit for weeks or months at a time. This can gum up carbs, rot out hoses, or even freeze up valves, as was the case for my engine. So running the gas out means that the gas stays in the tank, not in the carb and fuel lines.

it's just a way of protecting your engine and on a good running engine it means four or five pulls instead of two.

S/V Antares · 16-03-2011, 17:11

1. Ethanol sucks
2. Treatments are a wast of money

The jets and orfices on the bf2 are very small and gum up easily. I have a spare carb (Cheap) I change it out every month or three and put the old one in a ziplock of lemon juice which gently cleans it in a week or so.

I Bet you have a old gas can you fill from. How much water is in the bottom.

How many times have you forgot to slide the fuel lever open? Come on tell us... we are here to help!

capn_billl · 16-03-2011, 17:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feral Cement

Back to sailing stuff - anyone ever try an electric trolling motor?
John

I keep an electric trolling motor, and a spare battery on hand for those days, I can't get the outboard started.

IT always starts, but doesn't go very fast.

I keep a can of WD-40 on hand for starting the outboard. It is very humid here, I can use 2 gallons of gas out of the 6 gal tank and in a week or so the ethanol will have absorbed SO much water it will be full again.

Blue Crab · 16-03-2011, 18:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by grunzster

WOW!

Without even changing anything, and simply just not running the fuel out, it seems to be starting by second pull every time.

Now the question is, why the hell would a dealer tell you to run it out, if apparently that's not the best thing for the engine?

Either you or the dealer didn't hear: "at the end of the season."

Blue Crab · 16-03-2011, 18:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by capn_billl

I keep a can of WD-40 on hand for starting the outboard. It is very humid here, I can use 2 gallons of gas out of the 6 gal tank and in a week or so the ethanol will have absorbed SO much water it will be full again.

"Lucy, you got some splaining to do!"

You can't mean that literally.

off-the-grid · 17-03-2011, 06:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by tgzzzz

Either you or the dealer didn't hear: "at the end of the season."

They didn't. He told me end of the day.

osirissail · 17-03-2011, 06:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by grunzster

And they start faster or not at all, regardless of condition and age, depending on if you're still tied to the dock or not. And after struggling for 1/2 hour, they'll start right up as soon as someone shows up to tow you, and...

One problem overlooked is the stupid little red "kill-switch" button/lanyard on all new engines. I have found many of the "won't start" situations are cured by pulling the little red button further out or getting a new red lanyard/clip.
- - As those thing wear, they get thinner and since the kill-switch is set to a "hair-trigger" sometimes it does not get pulled out enough to allow the engine to start and run. Hate those little "dumb-ass" protection devices. I believe that the Darwin Awards principle with take care of anybody driving a dinghy such that they fall overboard.

sailingaway221 · 17-03-2011, 06:52

If the kill switch is a suspect.. open the cover... follow the wires and you will see a connector that you can disconnect... this removes the kill switch form the circuit

nautical62 · 17-03-2011, 06:54

I live in Iowa where it's hard to find gas without ethanol. A guy I know who sells and repairs lawnmowers and other small 2-stroke engines says ethanol in gas has boosted his business significantly.

sailingaway221 · 17-03-2011, 06:54

"Now the question is, why the hell would a dealer tell you to run it out, if apparently that's not the best thing for the engine?"

Thats easy... the guy telling you what to do with your engine has never used one before on a regular basis.. the only reason to run the engine out of fuel is if you are going to leave it sitting so long the fuel in it will dry out..... thats it.

mindsofman · 17-03-2011, 07:30

should be able to leave the fuel in that motor a lot longer than 2stroke because it takes longer to go off,,,also,those little Honda's are like the Brit.Seagull,
sure,a pain but make sure the fuel you put in is clean,,take the fuel bowl off,
clean the main jet,,bristle from a wire brush will do that,,and make sure when
you take the engine off the Dink,,either stand it up or lay it down correctly..
Hey,you have a light,easy to handle outboard,look after it and it should give
years of service......

capn_billl · 23-03-2011, 10:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by tgzzzz

"Lucy, you got some splaining to do!"

You can't mean that literally.

Which one the wd-40 or the puddle of water in the bottom of the outboard tank?? Yes, maybe I exaggerated the amount of water, but I do end up pouring a substantial amount off each summer. Not kidding about the WD-40, very flammable, and lubricates. Don't use it on big engines it can cause damage. Works just fine on small 2 strokes.