How often should you run small petrol engines?
Submitted: Sunday, Sep 18, 2005 at 00:15
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K and S
Hi,
like allot of people, I've got a couple of small petrol machines (2hp Honda outboard and inverter generator) that could go months without being used. I usually start them about every month or two just long enough to get them hot and circulate some fresh fuel and then stop them without running them dry. Just wondering what you guys do.
I know the best answer would be "do more
camping and fishing" but it's just not possible sometimes.
Thanks,
Keith
Reply By: V8troopie - Sunday, Sep 18, 2005 at 00:38
Sunday, Sep 18, 2005 at 00:38
The outboard is probably a four stroke but if the genny is a two stroke it is better to run the carby dry. My honda genny (2 stoke) sits on the shelf up to 6 months without running some times, running it dry guarantees there's no gunk left in the carby to go off. It also gets fresh fuel when I fill the
tank again.
AnswerID:
130624
Reply By: Exploder - Sunday, Sep 18, 2005 at 00:57
Sunday, Sep 18, 2005 at 00:57
We have a robin generator 4 stroke; every time I use it I run it dry then put the choke on and pull it over a few times just to make sure it is empty.
I pulled it out at the beginning of the year to use it for the first time in 2years fuelled up and it started no worries.
You will not have a problem as long as it is stored correctly in the first place, and at the worst you may find yourself pulling the carbie apart on a Saturday morning, or out in the field as you forgot to check the equipment before leaving.
My mate and I have a little 15foot runabout we use to go fishing in the swan and off
garden Island, and we will leave this thing for 6 months or more with out using it and do no special prep. Hell last time we run 9month old 2stroke fuel in it with no problems.
AnswerID:
130625
Follow Up By: Boc1971 - Monday, Sep 19, 2005 at 09:43
Monday, Sep 19, 2005 at 09:43
Running old 2 stroke fuel is a HUGE no no -- may be ok is lower reving motors - but in a chainsaw or brush cutter can be catastrophic.
Old fuel and 2 stroke actually break down with time - you loose a lot of the lubrication properties and you can cause damage to your small motor, Stale fuel also deteriates rubbers much faster also , such as fuel lines - and makes motors hard to start
If putting your 2 stroke in storgage for a while -- drain all fuel - Run the motor untill it stalls ( NO REVS as it does still need to be lubricated on each stroke - idoling motors leave more residual than a reving motor)
disgard fuel -- or put into your lawn mower ( 2 stroke will not harm 4 stroke mower - may dirty plug a little but thats about it )
hope this is of some help
Frank
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Reply By: kesh - Sunday, Sep 18, 2005 at 08:14
Sunday, Sep 18, 2005 at 08:14
I find the big problem with an outboard not run for considerable time is the rubber
water pump impellor hardening then refusing to pump. Also the reason o/b motors should never ever be started "dry",it will damage the impellor immediately.
the kesh
AnswerID:
130630
Reply By: K and S - Sunday, Sep 18, 2005 at 08:57
Sunday, Sep 18, 2005 at 08:57
Thanks guys, I should have said they are both 4 stroke and the Honda outboard is air cooled so there’s no impeller to worry about.
I used to run my motors dry until a mechanic told me that it could dry out some of the parts in the carbi, so I figured I’d run them more often to cover myself.
What do you think?
AnswerID:
130634
Follow Up By: ev700 - Sunday, Sep 18, 2005 at 10:09
Sunday, Sep 18, 2005 at 10:09
This has been debated at length on boating forums and there have been queries to manufacturers.
Consensus was never to run 2 or 4 stroke dry because of lubrication problems and possibility of seals drying out and becoming damaged.
Stale fuel can be a problem as can fuel eventually forming gunk in the carby.
I try to run the boat motor 4-8 weekly (in big
tank) for 5-10 mins, however I never worry about small motors which get a run when I remember. Mower motors seem to do Ok sitting for months.
Boaties argue that the need to keep your gear in service is a good reason to get out more. ;-)
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