For some of us, the end of the boating season is the time to turn our attention to the maintenance of our small outboard motors. In our fleet, we have three motors ranging from 2-1/2 to 25 hp, and with the coming of winter we need to make sure they will run properly next year after sitting idle for several months. A bucket full of fresh water is sufficient for flushing the cooling system without the need for hose-fed muffs clamped over the motor's intake.
SBM photographs
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Very thorough, thanks! But I’ll be honest, reading all this makes me want to check out the price of an electric outboard again!
Why is it not recommended to run the engine until the fuel runs out?
That was an option noted in the text—”run the motor to fuel exhaustion”—but not mentioned in the photo caption.
—Ed.
It makes sense now that I re-read it.
I’m skeptical of running pre-mix two stroke engines out of fuel. Remember, the oil is in the fuel.
I’ve had great results using a strong Techron additive mix to degum carburetors after they sit. For best results, run the mix for a minute, let it sit for a full day and Bob’s yer uncle! I have not found another brand, including Seafoam, that works as well.