I have a mercruiser black scorpion engine. I bought a drain plug hose and was going to install it when I changed the oil at the end of the season. <BR> <BR>Well, its the end of the season, I am out at the lake right now trying to install this drain hose (thank goodness for blackberries). Anyway, the threads on the hose aren't the right size. I call the place I bought the hose from, give them my engine serial number and they tell me I have the wrong part! It would have been nice if they had given me the right part to begin with. <BR> <BR>I am going to have to go in on Monday and get the one with the right size threads, but my question is, can I leave the engine with the drain plug out and without any oil in it until next weekend when I can come out with the new part? I don't really see why not, but maybe is there a problem with allowing it to dry out or allowing too much air in the engine? Sorry if this sounds like a silly question, I just thought I would ask in case I am missing something. <BR> <BR>Thanks for your advice, any help would be appreciated.

be sure to not crank it!

No Problem, Just disconnect the battery and leave a note on the cable so you don't forget.

Yeah, I certainly won't turn the engine over, I've taken the key. Thanks for the reply Art, its good to have the peace of mind. I'll leave it as is until I can get the new hose next weekend. <BR> <BR>Thanks again,

Put a rag or something over the drain plug so nothing gets in there (insects, dirt, debris).

I wouldnt recommend it, <BR> <BR>or else your next post in the spring might read like this. <BR> <BR>"I FORGOT TO PUT OIL IN OVER THE WINTER DO I NEED A MOTOR?" <BR> <BR>lol insurance do it right the first time and dont worry about it in the spring when its 75 outside and u wanan ride.

The dude is coming back next week. If he cant remember to put oil in before he statrs it the next time he should definitly NOT be on the water. Duncan your fine all winter with no oil in your engine. It sits in the crankcase while its not running anyway so your fine. I would put a piece of paper with "NO OIL IN ENGINE" on your key ring.

Having accidently started a motor with no oil (no damage done luckily!) I would take the key out the barrel and tape it to the dash with a big sticker saying no oil!

So Jay what does it feel like when you hear the lifters making THAT noise and then realize......OH NO, no oil!

Leave the oil in...without some sort of lube, condensation builds up in the motor, and causes rust. I would turn motor over once twice a month, so oil gets to top of motor. Why take a chance on memory.

Haven't you guys seen those Castrol commercials? He can run that thing for at least 5 hours w/ full ballast before he has any problems. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/uhoh.gif" border=0>

Bear Grils (spelling) would just pee in it.<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/uhoh.gif" border=0>

Les Stroud > Bear Grylls <BR> <BR>Bear is a fake.

Agreed..Les is the real deal.

Bear Grylls roughs it in hotels and then goes out to film.... <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=470155&amp;in_page_id=1770 " target="_blank">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=470155&amp;in_page_id=1770 </a>

uh headhunter he is only leaving the oil out for a week. You said to restart in a month?????Does anyone actually read these posts or just reply whatever comes to mind??????????????

yeah, don't worry about leaving the gas tank empty. It shouldn't be a problem, right Bob?<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/proud.gif" border=0>

Well if its a plastic tank it shouldnt be a problem....unless he forgets to fill it prior to making a run offshore <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/lol.gif" border=0> Now metal tanks, which arent used much anymore, definitely should not be left all winter with low or no fuel.