Sylvie Willis
There are differing opinions on whether the fuel line should be disconnected on an outboard motor. Some people believe that it is necessary to disconnect the fuel line after every use to prevent issues with the engine, while others claim that it is not necessary and that simply turning off the key is sufficient. There are also concerns about the force required to connect and disconnect the fuel line, as well as the amount of fuel that is squirted out during this process. Some people suggest that a light coating of silicone grease can help with this issue. Additionally, it is important to consider the level of fuel in the float bowl and the potential for rust and corrosion if the fuel level is too low.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Should the fuel line be disconnected after every use? | Not necessary, but some people do it to prevent rust and corrosion |
| Is the force and fuel squirts normal? | Yes, but it may be due to a dry, old O ring |
| How to fix the O ring? | Apply a light coating of silicone grease |
| How to drain the carb? | Remove the drain plug on the float bowl |
| How to clear old fuel from the line? | Push in the small pin on the fuel hose fitting on the motor |
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What You'll Learn
Is it necessary to disconnect the fuel line after every use?
It is not necessary to disconnect the fuel line after every use of an outboard motor. However, if you are taking a few days off, it is a good idea to flush the cooling system with fresh water while running out the gas. You can also push in the small pin located on the fuel hose fitting on the motor to clear out old fuel in the line leading to the carb.
Some people disconnect the fuel line after every use, but others do not and claim to have few problems. One issue with disconnecting the fuel line is that it can be a struggle to connect and disconnect, and fuel may squirt out. However, a slight squirt is normal, especially if the tank is higher than the outboard and has gravity-feeding pressure.
If you want to drain the carb, disconnecting the fuel line and letting the engine run until it stops will not achieve this. To actually empty the carb, you need to remove the drain plug.
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Is the force and fuel squirts normal?
It is not necessary to disconnect the fuel line after every use. However, if you are taking a few days off, it is recommended to flush the cooling system with fresh water while running out the gas. To clear out old fuel in the line, push in the small pin located on the fuel hose fitting on the motor.
The force and fuel squirts are normal, especially if the tank is higher than the outboard and has gravity-feeding pressure. To make it easier to connect and disconnect the fuel line, apply a light coating of silicone grease to the dry, old O ring. This will help reduce the amount of force needed and prevent damage to the quick disconnect.
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How to drain the carb?
To drain the carb, you need to remove the drain plug on the float bowl. Simply pulling the fuel line off and letting the engine run will not drain the carb, it will only lower the level of fuel in the float bowl. If you want to clear out old fuel in the line leading from the fuel hose fitting to the carb, push in the small pin located on the fitting on the motor. This should be done right after you pull the choke out when the engine starts to slow down.
Some people disconnect the fuel line after every use, but others claim to have no issues with simply turning off the key. If you are taking a few days off, it is recommended to flush the cooling system with fresh water while running out the gas.
It is worth noting that when you run a multi-carbed engine dry, some carbs will run dry before others, which may create other issues.
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How to clear out old fuel?
It is not necessary to disconnect the fuel line after every use, but if you do, you may need to use a lot of force and a good amount of fuel will squirt out.
If you are taking a few days off, it is recommended to flush the cooling system with fresh water while running out the gas. You can also push in the small pin located on the fuel hose fitting on the motor to clear out old fuel in the line leading to the carb.
Now, here is some information on how to clear out old fuel:
Old fuel can be hazardous to deal with, but it may still be usable with some precautions. If you have old fuel that you want to get rid of, you should not pour it on the ground. Instead, you can filter it, drain any water off the bottom, and use it in your lawnmower or another small engine, such as a chainsaw or generator. You can also add a little fuel stabilizer to old fuel to help it last longer. If you want to dispose of old fuel completely, you can ask a local auto or power equipment repair shop to take it off your hands, but you may have to pay a disposal fee. Collection sites generally only accept gas that is in a certified container, such as a jerry can or plastic gas can, and federal regulations require that portable fuel containers have a capacity of 5 gallons or less.
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What happens if you run the engine dry?
Running an engine dry can cause issues with the carburettor, as well as creating the possibility of rust and corrosion. When an engine is run dry, the float bowl will still contain fuel, so the engine will not be completely empty. However, some people run their engines dry and claim to have few problems. If you are taking a few days off from using your engine, it is recommended that you flush the cooling system with fresh water while running out the gas.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not necessary to disconnect the fuel line after every use.
Yes, a slight squirt of fuel is normal, especially if the tank is higher than the outboard and has gravity feeding pressure.
No, this will only lower the level of fuel in the float bowl. To actually empty the carb, you need to remove the drain plug.
If you are taking a few days off, you should flush the cooling system with fresh water while running out the gas.
To clear out old fuel in the line leading from the motor to the carb, push in the small pin located on the fuel hose fitting on the motor.
