2 Cycle Oil | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 22

Two Cycle Oil Shelf Life

yamaha2soil-domo-online.jpgI’ve often received questions about whether two cycle oil has a shelf life, and if we’re talking about unused oil sitting on a shelf, then no. There’s no reason you can’t use two cycle oil that was refined even 50 years ago, though it won’t contain the same additives as newer oil. However, you shouldn’t leave oil in your oil tank for more than a year without use. Under these circumstances, the oil can solidify and become quite gelatinous. When the engine is started with this kind of oil inside of it, it can cause serious damage.

The real reason you would use Yamaha 2S oil over Pennzoil two cycle oil made in the 1950s is because the additives in the newer oil will help your engine to run better. In addition, you don’t know whether those older oils are TC-W3 certified; most certainly they wouldn’t meet the modern standards for two cycle oil.

Did you like this? Share it:

Two Cycle Sparkplug Replacement

Two Cycle Sparkplug Replacement

With several two cycle outboard motors, there are known issues with the sparkplugs becoming saturated with gasoline. This in turn causes the sparkplugs to foul, and the motor to fail after it warms up. While this could be an indication of a more serious issue with the motor that will require professional intervention, often the problem is caused by one of two factors: incorrect spark plugs, or incorrect gasoline/oil ratio. It’s important to check that you are using the correct spark plugs for your outboard motor, as the wrong sparkplugs will cause the engine to fail. It’s also a good idea to check that you’re using the correct gasoline to two cycle outboard oil mixture, as this can cause the spark plugs to become saturated.

If one of these two problems doesn’t fix your engine, it’s probably time to consult a professional about what else could be wrong. If you know a thing or two about outboard motors, you can always check around online for other owners who have had the problem and make an attempt to perform maintenance yourself.

Did you like this? Share it:

Storing Large Quantities of Oil

Storing Large Quantities of Oil

When storing oil in barrels, it’s important to be aware of the proper safety precautions. First of all, it’s important to ensure that your oil barrels are secured and that there are no leaks. Even a small leak can be quite harmful to the environment. It’s also best to store bulk oil in a cool but dry location. If there is water runoff or water present at the storage location, it will be much easier for the oil to disperse into the environment. You should also ensure that the oil is stored on a flat non-permeable surface. If oil is allowed to seep into the ground it can contaminate underground water systems. In general, slab concrete or metal plates are the best for oil storage.

Perhaps the worst place to store bulk oil is in your backyard or some other location that is outdoors. Plants, wildlife, and even humans can be adversely affected by oil contamination. Be extra careful if you’re forced to store oil outdoors or near the ocean, lakes, rivers, and streams.

Did you like this? Share it:

History of the Two-Stroke Engine

two-stroke-engine

The two-stroke cycle engine was invented more than a century ago, but is still used today in outboard motors, dirt bikes, and chainsaws. The two-stroke engine is renowned for its simple design and high power to weight ratio. But because these engines mix fuel and 2 cycle oil for lubrication, their emissions are more than normal. To power larger devices, two-stroke engines have been replaced by four-stroke engines which are more complex designs that have cleaner emissions because fuel and oil are not mixed.

The two-stroke engine is most often attributed to Dugald Cleark who invented it in 1880. However, it was other engineers that perfected the engine by creating the charging pump and the piston controlled inlet port. Two-stroke engines were used in automobiles until the 1960s, which were then replaced by the four-stroke design.

Did you like this? Share it:

Changing Waverunner Oil

Waverunner

Changing the oil in a Waverunner is a relatively simple process, and it should be done about once every 100 hours of use. You’ll need a few basic items: an oil extractor (from your local marina), an oil rag, and your Waverunner user’s manual. The first step is to locate your oil filter using your user’s manual. Next, with the oil extractor, pump out about 2.5 quarts of oil. Next remove the old filter. Take your new filter and lube the O-ring with fresh oil, then tighten it down. Next add your standard Waverunner oil; Yamaha 2W oil for example. Make sure you don’t put too much oil in your Waverunner, or you can cause serious damage.

Once you’ve refilled the tank, hook up the water and run the Waverunner for about a minute. Check the dipstick when you’re done and make sure the tank is filled only to about the halfway mark.

Did you like this? Share it:

Water Cooled and Air Cooled Engines

Water Cooled and Air Cooled Engines

When it comes to two cycle engines, there are two distinct types and each type uses oil with some similar and some different additives. When comparing two cycle engines, an outboard motor is considered a water cooled engine, and is characterized by its constant and high speed. Fresh water is circulated throughout the engine to keep it cool, and heavy oil is necessary to prevent the pistons and cylinder walls from scuffing. With air cooled engines, like chainsaws, heavy base oils can cause engine deposits of ash and soot to form on the engine walls. These deposits can later cause serious problems including spark plug failure, loss of torque, and engine block damage.

When choosing two cycle oil, it’s important to know the correct gasoline/oil mixture, and also to use oil with additives intended to work with your two cycle engine. If necessary, a two cycle engine can use any two cycle oil for a short period of time without harmful side effects, but over time, the incorrect oil can cause damage to the engine.

Did you like this? Share it:

Buying Outboard Motor Products in Bulk

Buying Outboard Motor Products in Bulk

When it comes to purchasing outboard motor products in bulk, there are a number of options to explore to find the best deal. Perhaps the most common outboard motor product that is purchased in bulk is oil. You can often find deals on bulk motor oil at local marinas, boat repair shops, and smaller retailers. It’s often possible to negotiate with owners of smaller retailers, but of course larger retailers have prices that are set by corporate and thus any bulk motor oil prices aren’t negotiable. Those smaller retailers are also great for purchasing filters, parts, lubricant, and grease in bulk.

If you don’t live in a location near water, chances are there are few retailers who sell parts in your location. Under these circumstances, shopping online is a good idea, but it’s also a good idea to browse online to compare prices. You might even find bulk outboard motor products with better prices than in stores.

Did you like this? Share it:

Common Ailments of Outboard Motors

Common Ailments of Outboard Motors

While there are a number of serious problems that can be attributed to a malfunctioning outboard motor, here are some of the common problems for when the motor appears to be running rough:

~Burnt Spark Plugs – spark plugs need to be replaced about once a year, and are easy for an owner to replace without professional help.

~Malfunctioning Carburetor – this often happens in older outboard motors, but isn’t uncommon in newer motors either. It’s best to consult a professional if you think a busted carburetor is what ails the engine.

~Dilapidated Oil Filter – it’s a good idea to replace your oil filter at least once per year, should you not, it can cause oil to turn to sludge and eventually seize your engine.

~Incorrect Gas Mixture – older two cycle outboard motors often require premixed gasoline and oil, thus it’s important to ensure you have the proper ratio of two cycle outboard oil to gasoline for the best performance.

Did you like this? Share it:

Synthetic or Conventional for Outboard Motors

Synthetic or Conventional for Outboard Motors

It’s not uncommon for an outboard motor owner to ask: “What’s the difference between conventional and synthetic oil, should I be using one or the other?” The truth is, most boaters go hundreds or even thousands of miles using conventional bulk motor oil, and never experience problems with their outboard motor. However, the reason synthetic oil costs more isn’t simply because it’s more advanced than conventional oil, synthetic oil also helps your engine to last longer. For boaters who take their boat on extended trips or use it year round, it’s wise to switch to synthetic oil to preserve the quality of your outboard motor. Synthetic oil works to preserve your engine when the engine is used frequently or under extreme conditions.

However, for most boaters who just use their boat on the weekends or a couple of times per week, using conventional motor oil works just fine. The chance that your outboard motor will wear out before you stop using your boat are slim provided you take proper care of the engine and only use it a few times per year.

Did you like this? Share it:

TC-W3 Oil Certification

TC-W3 Oil Certification

It’s often that outboard motor owners ask “Do I have to use the manufacturer’s brand oil in my two stroke outboard motor?” There’s not a clear answer for this, but here are the facts. From the manufacturer’s point of view, they apply their brand name to two cycle oil manufactured by oil companies like Penzoil, Texaco, Exxon, and that oil might contain different additives depending on the manufacturer’s standards. However, most two cycle oil must also meet the TC-W3 certification test that is administered by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). There are few recorded incidents when an owner found that using any TC-W3 certified oil in their two stroke outboard motor resulted in noticeable decreased performance or damage to the engine.

In general, it’s fair to say that as long as the two cycle oil you’re using is TC-W3 certified, you’re making the most of your outboard motor. However, for those more particular outboard motor owners, the different additives in manufacturer branded oil might offer slight increases in performance, though depending on who you talk to, this might or might not be true.

Did you like this? Share it:

Interesting Two Cycle Oil Facts

Interesting Two Cycle Oil Facts

2 cycle outboard oil, also known as 2 stroke oil, is an engine oil intended for use in 2 stroke engines. The main difference between a 2 stroke engine versus a 4 stroke engine is that the 2 stroke doesn’t feature oil sumps to collect and recycle oil, thus the oil must be mixed with the fuel for distribution throughout the engine. There are various ratios which 2 cycle oil must be mixed at, often between 1:16 and 1:50. Because 2 cycle oil is burned with the fuel, it results in a blue smoke exhaust and a unique odor.

In general, 2 cycle oil also has a much lower ash content compared to other motor oils. This lower ash content is necessary to minimize deposits of sludge and grit that form if there is ash present in the oil which is burned in the engine’s combustion chamber.

Did you like this? Share it:

Fuel Efficiency with Yamaha WaveRunners

Fuel Efficiency with Yamaha WaveRunners

Yamaha is the leading manufacturer of personal watercraft in the world, and has taken great effort to design fuel efficient and clean burning engines. The Yamaha WaveRunner brand of personal watercraft has changed the face of the industry, with newer models capable of saving consumers hundreds of dollars each year in fuel costs compared to competitor models. The WaveRunner offers this kind of fuel efficiency without sacrificing speed due to Yamaha’s innovative engine design. Yamaha 2W oil is the company’s specially formulated brand of motor oil for use in their WaveRunner personal watercraft; this motor oil combined with WaveRunner engine technology allow for increased fuel efficiency and longevity.

Yamaha designs several different WaveRunner models, with most having higher top speeds than competitor models despite consuming less gallons of gasoline per hour of use. Some WaveRunner models also offer performance level quality and run on regular unleaded gasoline.

Did you like this? Share it: