How long can you run the engine OUT of the water? Can you add Gas to Spark Plug Holes

[cheappc]

I know this is probably an interesting post, but a very important one, and I really wanted to know the truth.

1. How long can you run the engine outside of the water (before you actually throw it in the water to make sure its working).

2. Is it ok to add gasoline inside the spark plug holes to get the engine started, also is it ok to add carburetor cleaner in there to start the engine.

Noob question I know but I wanted to know the truth, thanks.

 

[ocod]

I know this is probably an interesting post, but a very important one, and I really wanted to know the truth.

1. How long can you run the engine outside of the water (before you actually throw it in the water to make sure its working).

2. Is it ok to add gasoline inside the spark plug holes to get the engine started, also is it ok to add carburetor cleaner in there to start the engine.

Noob question I know but I wanted to know the truth, thanks.

Longer than what its going to take you to back boat in the water. Remember boat runs different under load(trying to push water out) than on the trailer.
If your boat starts out of the water it should start in the water. Now will your boat not plane you won't know that on the trailer....

on the 2nd question why would you need to do that if its starts okay. Before adding gas or starter fluid down the plug hole or air cleaner check the fuel delivery system(gas going from pump to carbs. then inspect carbs to see if they are squirting)
But most important is do you have a good spark? Remember 2-strokes are not 4 strokes like our cars. Change plugs regularly to insure a good strong spark.

 

[ialonso]

#2..it's a good troubleshooting technique to diagnose fuel delivery problems, but should not be a necessary thing. (taking plugs out every outing might wear the head threads too...)

If you really want to have a permanent easy start, you could replace the choke with a primer kit, which squirts fuel straight into the carb. (found this video on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zir_V8wu0g)

Our boats have accelerator pumps that are supposed to do the same if you accelerate and decelerate the gas lever.

With properly working carbs and fuel pumps, our boats start fast and at the lowest gas lever setting. For 200 bucks, new carbs can be yours....
http://www.atlanticjetsport.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=96

 

[Dr Honda]

1) without water at all... 15 seconds. On the hose... you can run for a long time since you have the old style seals. If you have a carbon seal... you need to spray it with soapy water to keep it lubed, and cool.

2) You can... but you shouldn't have to. (gas down the sparkplug holes) And... NO... fuel additive carb cleaner will displace the oil in the engine, and can cause damage. There is only one way to clean the carbs... and that is to remove them.

 

[cheappc]

Thanks OCOD and Dr. Honda,

Its not because I a want to clean the carbs this way, I really wanted to know because:

I always have problems starting my boat before I go on vacation somewhere, or take it to the lake somewhere. So what I usually have to do is remove the spark plugs, and turn it over like 20 seconds, then I put the spark plugs back on and try to start it again, usually doesnt work, so I remove the spark plugs, turn it over again, put the spark plugs back in, it doesnt work, so finally I add some gasoline in the holes (like 1/4 a cup), in each hole, put the spark plugs back in, and usually get it to start.

The funny thing, the last time I had to go through this before I went to Puddingstone last, I felt it was battery related (mind you its a brand new battery, as a matter of fact the sticker on the battery states "4/11" a month old), BUT I still had to recharge the batter with my marine recharger, and it worked! wow, it worked so good that when I tried to turn on the motor without having to remove the spark plugs again, the starter kept trying and finally the motor started.

What Im trying to say is that, usually, the when I try to start the engine, the engine tries twice and then it wont crank at all, but after I recharged the battery, the boat cranked for a long time and it finally started the engine, wow, never knew that (in other words I probably really never had to remove the spark plugs and throw gasoline in there), it was probably always the battery.

The other reason I asked you for how long can I keep the engine on out of the water, is because when I finally get the boat to start, I want to make sure the engine stays on, so I usually leave it on outside the water for like 15 seconds, in two intervals. Then I finally feel secure and throw the boat in the water, and it usually starts and works!

Just wanted to make sure im not harming anything.. thanks

 

[ocod]

Np cheap,
If your having a hard time starting you need to have carbs taken off and inspected if you have ruled out bad battery or poor connections at the battery.
Starting boat to make sure it cranks and then turning off is fine. Its running boat w/o water for longer a few secs that will harm engine.

 

[parrothd]

I keep a can of starting fluid in my boat/wave runner just in case, but if you have to use it often you should fix the hard starting issue, the skis/boat should start without it, but it does come in handy..

 

[Dr Honda]

Yes... a can of starter fluid is good for that once-in-a-while hard start. BUT... it should not be needed for every starting event.

Remember, these are 2-strokes... and if you have a running issue of any kind... it needs to be fixed. (You could loose an engine over something dumb)

 

[bowhuntinelk]

1. How long can you run the engine outside of the water (before you actually throw it in the water to make sure its working).

1) without water at all... 15 seconds. On the hose...

you can run for a long time since you have the old style seals. If you have a carbon seal... you need to spray it with soapy water to keep it lubed, and cool.

How do you know what kind of seals you have? Is it by model year?