Starting outboard while out of water?

[AirBoyzT]

Hey, probably a dumb question, my sailboat has a 9.9HP Evanrude Outboard and was wondering if it is safe to test operation while out of the water (she is currently on dry land awaiting spring)

Appreciate the feedback and sorry if this is an ignorant question.

[Matt sachs]

Its ok to fire it up and shut it down with in a few seconds. If you want to run it longer than that that you need to hook it up to a water hose.

[AirBoyzT]

Originally Posted by Matt sachs

Its ok to fire it up and shut it down with in a few seconds. If you want to run it longer than that that you need to hook it up to a water hose.

Thanks, yea I mainly want to see if it will fire up

[F51]

I disagree. Always use a cuff and water hose. The internal water pump impeller can be damaged very quickly if run dry. The water hose adapter is not an expensive accessory.

[belizesailor]

In theory this could be bad for the impeller, but in practice I've never seen it be an issue. You might at least give it few pulls in the water first to make sure the impeller is wet.

And of course, VERY brief (seconds) run time is key or you may indeed damage the impeller or worse.

[azsailor12]

I put mine on a stand with the bottom end sitting in a trash can of water- works pretty good.

[MarkSF]

Yes I do the same. If you're not going to put the engine in gear, even a bucket is sufficient.

The best practice is to run it for long enough to get warmed up, then disconnect the fuel and let the carb run dry (otherwise your jets will get gummed up)

[SkiprJohn]

It is not a dumb question. I've seen too many people run their outboards without water to the intake. It ruins the impeller very quickly especially if the outboard has been out of the water for awhile.
Like was mentioned, you can put the lower unit in a bucket of water and keep the bucket full with a hose while running it. disconnect your fuel line while it is still running and let it run out of gas. You don't want any ethanol fuel left in the carb.
kind regards,

[skipmac]

I much prefer running with the lower unit it a bucket or trash can instead of using the hose and muffs. No matter how carefully I try to get a seal it doesn't pump water like submerging the water intake. If you're going to run the engine long enough to get it warm use a bucket.

[ozskipper]

You can use a bucket or hose as suggested, but if no water comes out the back. Shut it down fast.

[AirBoyzT]

maybe I'll wait until I get her back in the water lol

[cfarrar]

It's easy to run it in a trashcan, and this is wise if it was last run in salt water. Using fuel with preservative, run it in the trashcan. Pull the fuel hose and run it until it dies. Then do the rest of your winterization routine.

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by AirBoyzT

Hey, probably a dumb question, my sailboat has a 9.9HP Evanrude Outboard and was wondering if it is safe to test operation while out of the water (she is currently on dry land awaiting spring)

Appreciate the feedback and sorry if this is an ignorant question.

Buy or build yourself a motor cart, immerse the bottom of the motor in a trash can filled with fresh water and start/run the motor for awhile. To clean out salt in the cooling system, add some "Salt Away" to your trash can and let it circulate through the motor for awhile (10-15 minutes). Then, as others have suggested, disconnect the fuel hose from the motor and let it run until it shuts down for want of fuel, then pull the bowl off the carb and clean/dry it out, spray the rest of the carb with WD-40 and wipe it down, and button everything up and wait for spring.

FWIW...

[AirBoyzT]

my problem is figuring out how to get the trash can high enough to put the outboard in I guess....it's sitting pretty high right now.

[tropicalescape]

Originally Posted by AirBoyzT

Hey, probably a dumb question, my sailboat has a 9.9HP Evanrude Outboard and was wondering if it is safe to test operation while out of the water (she is currently on dry land awaiting spring)

Appreciate the feedback and sorry if this is an ignorant question.

Is it air cooled or water cooled? If its air cooled ,needs air ,if water cooled needs water,right?..