Two stroke engine storage

lightning · 10 February 2012, 08:51

I've just bought a 2-stroke outboard and was expecting not to worry too much about storage.

But the manual warns against storing it on its back, or on its left side, to avoid "oil spillage"
and "engine damage or property damage from leaking oil"

Also it must be "kept in a vertical position when carrying"

What oil is this exactly, that could leak? The engine has no oil in it surely? (well, I know there's oil in the gearcase near the prop but that's not going to leak out)

9D280 · 10 February 2012, 09:05

Yep. that baffles me too.

Only thing I can think of is the residual oil that may be lurking in the crankcase etc once the fuel all evaporates, but I've had loads of 2 - strokes, and never had an issue.

Upside down is a well dodgy angle , simply because any water trapped in the exhaust wiill work its way back into the cyls through the exhaust port, and you know what happens in that scenario!

Carrying vertical - mabe to stop you knackering your back?

Weird.

lightning · 10 February 2012, 09:14

It is a bit odd.

I think it may be a mistake in the handbook, perhaps referring to their 4 stroke version of this engine.

Max... · 10 February 2012, 09:31

I'd always store it vetical regardless - just make (or buy) a simple wooden stand, you'll use it a lot for flushing and maintanance anyway.

uncle al · 10 February 2012, 11:17

it is probaly a generic h/book, if its a 2str prefrably store upright if possible,if its not possible as long as the power head (engine) is higher than the gearhousing that is ok ,you might get a drop of fuel out of the carb if it hasnt been run dry.

Ian M · 10 February 2012, 12:31

Daft question I know, but has it got a built in oil tank?
If it is a generic handbook, do others in the range have a built in tank?

m chappelow · 10 February 2012, 18:17

You know what foreign manuals are like, theres always the odd wrong word that causes confusion ,
it could be that they mean petrol /oil mix and if it weeps out it could leave the oil residue behind on something after the petrols evaporated ,perhaps from the carb.
most 2/ outboards until a few years ago had a couple of flats on the cowl casing so the engine could be laid on its back with the start handle up in the air .
as Lightning says ,,,theres not a little astrix or star printed on the page denoting that it only pertains to 4 strokes.

lightning · 10 February 2012, 18:36

There's no oil tank, the oil has to be mixed with the fuel in the petrol tank.

It's possible they may be referring to the fuel/oil in the carburettor. I always used to run my 4-stroke engine dry but I'm not sure this would be wise on a 2-stroke as this would mean starving it of oil.

SIBer · 10 February 2012, 20:00

Good to hear that you cleared customs (hope the double duty wasn't too painful)
Have a look at the owners 2007 manual on this link

TOHATSU 9.8 HP 2-STROKE prices, specs, manuals and brochures.

page 24

It says something similar about side storage but no mention of oil this time.

However as said above, if you can put the powerhead a little higher than the prop as you shove it in the car boot all the better.

Have fun running it in.

spartacus · 10 February 2012, 21:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightning

There's no oil tank, the oil has to be mixed with the fuel in the petrol tank.

It's possible they may be referring to the fuel/oil in the carburettor. I always used to run my 4-stroke engine dry but I'm not sure this would be wise on a 2-stroke as this would mean starving it of oil.

No, but you could starve it of fuel. Useful if you know you're not going to be using it again for a few weeks. This is only possible if there's an external fuel tank. Helps eliminate carb problems with glazing, stale fuel, etc. Squirt some fogging oil in the cylinders and turn it over by hand to lubricate before you lay up for an extended period. Job done.

9D280 · 13 February 2012, 10:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightning

It's possible they may be referring to the fuel/oil in the carburettor. I always used to run my 4-stroke engine dry but I'm not sure this would be wise on a 2-stroke as this would mean starving it of oil.

Not really. When it's running it gets oiled. When the oil stops flowing, by definition so does the fuel, & it stops! Also on auto mixing engines the oil ratio at idle is about 200-ish :1, so a couple of seconds at "lean burn" as the bowl empties isn't going to kill it.

I drain mine every time to prevent the fuel in the carb pouring out & sloshing around in the bottom of the crankcase as I drive back down the road.

SPR · 13 February 2012, 19:09

maybe it was 4 stroke manual to throw of customs

SIBer · 13 February 2012, 20:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPR

maybe it was 4 stroke manual to throw of customs

lightning · 13 February 2012, 22:27

Alright I will run it dry after each use. I guess it won't do it any harm.