running an outboard without oil

[Abe's Rocket]

What happens to a motor if oil isn't mixed in with the gas? Will all the cylinders burn-up equally or just one or two? I have a feeleing the yard left out the oil this spring...good times.

[Mark]

I think you will only burn out one or two at the most. Considering the rise in petroleum prices, I would hold off on adding oil until things get cheaper.

[PipeDreamsMarine]

I've seen them run 100:1 and not have a problem. Is it straight gas or straight gas was added to a tank that had premix in it?. If it's straight gas and wasn't run too hard or long you should be ok. or if it was added to a tank with premix in it your ok, just add more oil.

[Abe's Rocket]

its more of a situation where the boat went in the water and a couple of days later i had a toasted cylinder on a motor that was too small for the boat anyway. got another motor, 6cyl, on the cheap; put it on the boat and now we are going down the same road with the motor not behaving. same exact symptoms in both cases, could be coincidence but i am having a hard time beliving it.

[sokinwet]

Did the same thing this year; put 5 gals. in an empty tank w/oil and added another 20 gals. without. Luckily I caught myself in time. Keep in mind that the only lube for your 2 stroke is the pre-mix. This includes not only your piston but also top end bearing, crank and lower end bearings. Ouch$$$$$

[Abe's Rocket]

Does anyone know of a tool that can measure the ratio of oil to gas in a tank? I picture it being similar to how you check coolant levels in a car motor.

[ScottM]

It's a 50:1 ratio for 2 stroke outboards, so for every 50 gallons of gas, you add 1 gallon of oil. As far as a tool that can tell you what's already in the tank for pre-mix, I don't know if one exists.