Cleaning Mercury Marine Carburetor, Part II

Let’s pick up from where yesterday’s post left off. After removing the carburetor, you’ll next want to clean the jets with a jet pick. Try to remove as much oil gel as possible before washing the jets in carburetor cleaner. Clean the gunk out of the fuel bowl, too.

Next, take your . This will remove any buildup that has managed to stay put. Wear safety goggles to protect from particles blowing into your eyes. Stay tuned for part III tomorrow, and don’t forget to stock up on Mercury 2 stroke oil!

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Two and Four Stroke Oil Formulas

Yesterday we tackled the reasons why 2 cycle and 4 cycle oils are not interchangeable. Today I will explain how the formulas differ. For starters, 4 cycle oil is specifically manufactured with additives, like viscosity index improvers, to inhibit oil consumption. In other words, the formula makes oil harder to burn.

On the other hand, 2 stroke oil is specifically formulated to burn away, leaving minimal residue on spark plugs, cylinders, and exhaust ports. Another aspect of the formula is to inhibit pre-ignition. The formula also protects against rink sticking and crankcase sludge.

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Benefits of Yamalube 2S Oil

For years now, I have been a big fan of Yamaha products, especially their line of lubricants for outboard motors. I have taken to using Yamalube 2S two stroke oil. The Yamaha 2S oil uses a technologically advanced semi-synthetic base stock and additive system to ensure high performance all season long.

The Yamaha 2S oil reduces the amount of visible smoke the engine gives off. The lubricant also reduces carbon and varnish deposit buildup, leading to longer engine life. Another aspect of Yamalube 2S oil I greatly appreciate is its ability to work in a range of temperatures, including sub-freezing conditions. Simply put, the oil won’t gel, which makes it great for use in snowmobiles.

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Changing Lower Unit Oil on Mercury Outboard, Part I

Changing the motor oil in the lower unit of a Mercury outboard is a fairly simple task. All responsible boat owners should, at the very least, know when to change the oil. After all, without the proper Mercury 2 stroke oil, the internal of components of the motor won’t work properly which can put you in a real bind if you’re out on the water when things go wrong.

To change the oil you will need an oil pan, screwdriver, rags, oil, and a utility knife. Once you have gathered your supplies lower the Mercury outboard to its vertical position. Place the drain pan under the lower unit and then turn the lowest plug counterclockwise with the screwdriver. Place the drain plug aside for the time being. Check back tomorrow for part II!

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Changing Oil on a Two Stroke Motorcycle

Even normal activities can place a strain on motorcycle and dirt bike engines. To keep them running smoothly, the 2 stroke oil needs to be replaced every season. It is advisable to check oil levels before any long rides or competitions, as well.

To change the 2 stroke oil on motorbike or motorcycle, start by parking the bike on a flat surface. Take a drain pan and set it up under the engine block, unscrew the drain plug, and let the old oil drain away. Screw the drain plug back in and add new 2 stroke oil into the oil compartment via the oil check dipstick hole. When the compartment is full, screw the dipstick cover back in place, clean up, and get ready to ride!

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Steamed Whole Fish

This recipe works with a variety of fish, including red snapper, black bass, striped bass, and flounder. You will need 2 ½ to 3 pounds of cleaned, scaled fish, 2 large lemongrass stalks, 1.4 cup cilantro leaves, 1 piece peeled fresh ginger, 2 tablespoons of lime zest, 2 sliced garlic cloves, 4 scallions, and 2 tablespoons of Asian fish sauce. You will also need a wire rack, a large roasting pan and cover, and foil.

Place the wire rack in the bottom of the roasting pan and add one inch of water to the bottom of the pan. Put the pan on the stove (it will cover two burners) and bring the water to a boil. Lay out the fish on a large piece of foil. Take the cilantro, half of the lemongrass, and a third of the ginger and place it inside the fish cavity. Scatter the remaining ingredients on top and then place the fish with the foil into the pan. Steam the fish on medium high for 10 minutes per inch of thickness (so if the fish is two inches thick, steam for 20 minutes). Once the fish is cooked place it on a platter and serve it to your guests. Obviously, to catch such a beauty in the first place, you needed to use 2 stroke oil in your fishing boat.

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Mixing Fuel for a Mercury Outboard Motor

Older two-stroke Mercury outboard motors require hand mixing of oil and gas. Newer models like the OptiMax motors have an oil injection system that keeps the ratio of gas to oil correct. If you are using an older model two-stroke outboard motor, here is some advice for mixing fuel:

As a general rule of thumb, add three ounces of Mercury 2 stroke premium outboard motor oil for each gallon of gas. Pour the gas and oil into a singular container. Close the gas container tightly and then shake the container vigorously to ensure that the oil and gasoline mix thoroughly. Once you are confident that the solution is properly mix, add it to your boat’s fuel tank.

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Troubleshooting a Two-Stroke Outboard Engine, Part 1

In order to trouble-shoot your outboard engine, you need to have a good understanding of how it works. Typically fuel and air mixture cause problems, as does electrical issues. Here are some tips for trouble-shooting a two-stroke outboard motor:

First, check that the boat battery is connected. To confirm, turn the ignition key to “on” before revving the engine and see that the electrical system is online. Put the boat in neutral and then shift to a different gear position. Shift back to neutral to make sure the engine is fully engaged. Next, open the ignition switch and check the status of the wiring; none should be loose. If there are loose wires, strip them, add a new connector, and reconnect the wiring to the switch. Come back tomorrow, with some Evinrude Johnson 2 stroke outboard oil in hand, as we continue detailing how to troubleshoot your outboard motor.

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Outboard Engines vs. Air-Cooled Engines, Part 2

In our continuation of yesterday’s post, we will examine the differences between the oil specifications for two-stroke outboard engines versus two-stroke air-cooled engines. Outboard engines, because they are water-cooled, require oil with a high percentage of heavy oil to prevent piston scuffing. Oils with detergents should not be used as they may form ash deposits that can clog plugs. To compensate for lack of detergents, more dispersants and rust oxidation inhibitors to control deposits and rust are needed. Responsible owners of two-stroke outboard engines should give Mercury outboard oil a try.

Air-cooled two-stroke engines require much lower levels of heavy oils; in fact, too much heavy oil can cause piston rings to stick together. High detergent oil is preferable because air-cooled two-stroke engines operate at higher temperatures. The detergent keeps temperatures in check while the vibration of the engines keeps deposits from building up.

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Outboard Engines vs. Air-Cooled Engines, Part 1

Two-cycle oil needs to be added to gasoline for both two-stroke outboard engines and air-cooled two-stroke engines. There are notable differences between the oil specifications for the two applications. Let’s start by examining the differences between outboard and air-cooled two-stroke engines:

Outboard engines operate at constant speeds. Two-stroke outboard engines also operate in water, meaning they have a constant supply of coolant which is not re-circulated. Air-cooled engines, on the other hand, are used in spurts; turned on and off or left idling. These engines typically have smaller displacements than outboard engines, and are frequently overloaded. For , Mercury 2 stroke oil is recommended.

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Yamalube 2 Cycle Oil

Yamaha Motor Corporation is the maker of the Yamalube line of regular and synthetic two-stroke engine oils. Each type of oil is formulated for specific two-stroke engine applications. Currently Yamalube produces 2R, 2W, 2S, and 2M oil.

Typically, 2R is used for motocross engines while Yamalube 2W oil is used for and motorboats. Yamalube 2M is also useful for outboard motorboats. Snowmobiles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, scooters, and even golf carts utilize 2S oil.

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Suzuki LT500 Engine

Yamalube oil is used for more than just watercrafts. The Suzuki LT500 is a quad bike known as the Quadzilla. The high-performance racer was manufactured between 1987 and 1990 and came with a two-stroke, liquid cooled engine.

The Suzuki LT500 engine uses an oil premix. The manufacturer recommends Yamalube 2M oil or Yamalube 2R engine oil. Yamalube oil lubricates, cleans and prevents rusting in the combustion engine. If you’re a boater who also rides quad bikes, spare some of your Yamalube engine oil for your other outdoor exploits.

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