Starting outboard without oil in gas

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BJL

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Have an older 3.3 2 stroke in the garage that I'd like to sell but want to start first to make sure it runs ok. Do I have to add oil to the gas just for a few minutes of run time?
 
The easiest way to approach that question and answer would be to ask yourself if you would be comfortable starting & running a 4 stroke for a few minutes with no oil in the crankcase. Oil in the gas is a 2-strokes only lube. Will it badly damage it? Maybe , maybe not but what would be the point of starting it if it was potentially damaging? Use TWC3, not chain saw "air-cooled" 2S oil.
 
Yes oil is critical. Use no ethanol gas in case it sits for a while
 
...but if all you want to do is see if it fires up and will literally run only a second or two, squirt some starting fluid or carb cleaner and be ready to turn it off immediately. These are very drying solutions which are opposite of oiling.
 
I'll get a half gallon of gas and some oil. I want to start it and run it for more than a minute
 
it will need a source of cooling water as well

RWS
 
I have a deep bucket I've used in the past so that's not a problem.
 
And don't as in DO NOT use starting fluid/ether spray on an outboard. Even with the proper gas/oil mix you'll wash the oil off everything that stuff gets near. Only use it, sparingly, on 4 strokes. It's bad news on an engine.
 
I'm just gonna start it the same way I always did...........gas/oil and pull!
 
Just go to the local hardware store and buy a small bottle of pre-mixed gas/oil in the correct ratio. Quick, clean, and easy.
 
Expensive stuff for everyday use, but perfect for your goal and no ethanol to boot.
 
That pricey stuff is great for little used chain saws, leaf blowers , trimmers, etc, particularly in areas where only E10 is available and may deteriorate before you can use it all. Just re-cap the can and it lasts a long time.

BUT it's for air-cooled engines, not water cooled that need TCW-3 oil. Probably wouldn't hurt a small outboard idled for a few minutes though.
 
that's all I need it for.....a few minutes to make sure it runs.
 
It'll work fine unless you're planning on running it WFO.

Wait, a 3.3 Horsepower or 3.3 Liter?

3.3 Horse is gonna be fine with that "Truefuel" for awhile but it's way to expensive for much beyond checking it out. I even used a little "weedeater" gas/oil to crank my 115 a couple of times. Idleing it's fine. Just won't stand the heat of full power in an outboard.
 
It's a 3.3 hp Mercury. Hardly any hours on it and sitting in our garage. I'd like to sell it but want to make sure it starts up so I think that Trufuel is exactly what will do the trick.
 
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