the great engine starting debate

[searay30]

Here a question for the group about starting and running your engines. On one side we have a group that claims that marine engines should never be started between runs. That cold cranking an engine is when the greatest amount of wear and damage may occur. They contend only start your boat when you intend to make a trip.

On the other side they claim only normal amounts of wear occurs to an engine when it is started, and engines are better served if they are started and run on a regular basis.

Which side is more right? or is their some middle ground ( or water )

 

[HUMPH]

My thought is that if a boat is going to sit for months at a time without being run, start the engines and let them warm up a bit to keep the interior parts lubricated. This can minimize surface rust from developing. I try to never leave my boat for that long so I don't really need to think about it.

 

[JimmyDubai]

I do it between runs for awhile, preferably reaching the normal operating temp (170 F) ; that way not only the engine gets to work but also the hydraulics as well as the alternator; but there is one more activity that I have to do.... flush the engine with fresh water as my boat is sitting on the sea.

 

[KC_Sundancer]

If we are not able to get out, I run ours at least every two weeks. As said by others it keeps things lubricated and starters and alternators freed up and running.
Keeps fuel from sitting in the carbs too. To me, the longer an engine sits without running the harder cold cranking is on it.

 

[mwph]

I am by no means an expert but to me, the thought of not starting an engine in an effort to avoid the added wear is ridiculous. If not starting the engine after it sat idle for two weeks is bad imagine the wear that would occur after letting it sit for 2 months. There are only two people on this board that could convince me otherwise and one of them (who I do consider an expert) has advised me to start it.

 

[searay30]

that's hs always been my opinion, either take the boat out or do a 15 to 20 minute dock cruise. I lost my wife to cancer, so its not as easy to single the boat. But I do run her once a week and try to get out every week till winter comes.

 

[Pack Boater]

Live in Southern Calif. and trailer beast of a 1988 270 Dancer and make a point of at least once a month running the engines to move the fuel through the carbs, lubricate internals and avoid a set in the water pump impellers in the drives! And I like to annoy the neighbors!

 

[MMcCawley]

I don't buy the "never run your boat unless you intend to use it" argument. The worst thing you can do for mechanical systems is not use them. I can speak from experience- I didn't run my boat for 16 months and I'm paying dearly. I nearly had to pull the motor as a result but fortunately the bottom end was salvageable. Top end had to be gone through. It wasn't all a direct result of not running the boat but periodic use keeps things lubricated and functioning as designed. Also, if you have a problem you can catch it and fix it rather than find it later after having been sitting for awhile.

PS- Searay30, I'm really sorry to hear about the loss of your wife.

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk

 

[roger2015]

I guess to me its like having that extra vehicle in the drive way that is barely used for whatever reason, do you not start it to keep it up in mechanical condition to lubricate the seals charge the battery, keep the fuel from getting stale in the lines and removing any condensation, as others has said the same,. I think as my boat as an investment, its more of a PM item for me. that's my opinion,,, now if you excuse me, im going boating.....

 

[1990-270-da-lover]

I'm of the start and run regularly group. All machines will breakdown if not used frequently. The engine is at it's best when run on a regular basis. Everything wears out, but a neglected engine will wear out much faster. JMHO.

 

[PlayDate]

I don't know of a single person who owns and cares for their boat that subscribes to the "don't start it unless you run it theory". Maybe a trailer boat but certainly not one that sits in the water for most of the year. Even outboards don't do well if left alone for long periods with fuel in them. For inboards and I/Os....that would be begging for trouble.

Not much of a debate.

 

[searay30]

my feeling exactly. Thanks for all the input.

 

[jthatcher]

I start mine every weekend I am at the marina regardless if I am leaving the dock.