GaGeebees: I do not agree with your theory at all. I had and still have a 4 stoke gas engine mounted on an Airens lawnmower, which by the way has an 8 HP engine on it. One day I decided to sharpen the blade, took it off, then started the engine. It did not start , but after a few try's it did. It did not sound right, so I shut the engine off after 2 minutes. That 2 munites cost me about $175.00, I had to replace the crank, piston, and other parts as well. That happened 3 years ago.
Never Ever run any engine 2 stoke or 4 stoke without the proper load applied to it. It will destroy the engine in short order.
Paul