Boating | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 13

Preventing Oil Leaks

Outboard motors power watercrafts ranging from small pontoons to large fishing boats. Regardless of size, using the best outboard motor oil is a priority. What do you do then if your motor begins to leak? This can be detrimental to the motor’s performance and to the environment.

To prevent an oil leak, examine the fuel lines for cracks or breaks prior to heading out on the water. Also look over the oil tank for any cracks or holes. In both cases, replacing damaged parts is a must. Finally, check the engine block for corrosion and have trouble spots fixed by a professional.

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NMMA Certification

The National Marine Manufacturers Association tests and certifies the products of manufacturers. The goal of the rigorous certification process is to set a high standard for quality and safety. Currently, the NMMA certifies a variety of TC-W3 oils, FC-W oils, and FC-W (CAT) oils.

In the mission statement on their website, NMMA states, “To help boaters recognize lubricants that will give the engine life designed-in by marine engine manufacturers, the National Marine Manufacturers Association has developed a program for the certification of these premium quality lubricants.” NMMA certification is two-fold. First the oil additive packages are certified and then there is a registration of oil brands that use certified oils. Amalie Oil is one such brand that is certified under their XCEL Outboard and 2-Cycle Oil.

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Yamaha Outboard Maintenance Tips

When it comes to keeping your watercraft in working order, there is a long maintenance check list. Today we’ll focus on two parts of that list: power trim and tilt fluid, and lubricants. Be sure to regularly inspect the lower unit to highlight issues. To prevent such issues from arising, keep the prop shaft well lubricated and top up levels of trim fluids. Yamaha products, like Performance Power, are preferable.

As far as lubricants, Yamalube 2-m oil or 4-m oil is recommended for two-stroke and fours-stroke engines, respectively. It is imperative that all replaced or repaired components be bedded correctly, and then sealed and protected with lubricant. Lubricating parts also aids in motion and can extend the life of an engine.

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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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Checking for Compression

Air, fuel, compression, and spark are the four main elements that keep a two-stroke engine running. If any one of the four elements is missing or damaged, then the engine will not go. A loss of compression can be caused by several reasons, but the most likely culprit is a faulty seal between cylinder, piston or piston rings. Fortunately, this is an easy problem to spot and fix.

Start by removing all of the spark plugs from the motor and ground those spark plugs against the engine case. Take a compression tester and screw it into the spark plug hole of the first cylinder to be tested. Twist the throttle and kick the motor over a few times. Check the tester’s gauge; if the gauge reads at least 100-125 then you’re good to go, at least on that particular cylinder. While you’re poking around the insides of your motor, consider replacing your Mercury 2 cycle oil.

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Yamalube 2W Specs

Yamaha’s Yamalube 2W oil reduces deterioration of two-stroke engine parts. It does so by lubricating the moving components within the engine. This keeps the motor clean and cool.

Yamalube 2W oil further inhibits corrosion and rust from developing inside the engine. The oil further prevents pistons from burning, rings from sticking, and spark plugs from fouling. It should be noted that the Yamalube 2W oil is meant to be used for personal watercraft engines and not for outboard motors or land vehicles.

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Specs for Yamaha Outboard 50 TLR

The is a mid-range motor for small to medium boats. It features a three-cylinder, two-stroke motor. Both the bore and the stroke are 2.6 inches, respectively. Overall, the motor weights 189 pounds.

The outboard motor runs on gasoline, minimum octane of 87. As far as lubrication, the 50 TLR has a gear ratio of 1.85; therefore, Yamalube 2M oil is recommended. The motor can hold approximately 1.6 quarts of oil. Performance-wise, the 50 TLR produces 50 horsepower at 5,000 rpm.

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How 2 Cycle Oil Works

Two-cycle engines have different requirements than four-cycle engines found in cars and lawn tractors. Oil and regular unleaded gasoline is blended together to create an enriched mixture that does more than just fuel an engine. For instance, two-cycle oil lubricates the engine while providing fuel.

When the mixture moves into the crankcase it pushes the piston up, creating a spark. Then, the spark ignites the fuel which sends the piston downwards. Thus, the power behind the two-cycle engine is created. A typical ration of oil to gas is 40 parts gasoline to one part oil or 50 parts gasoline to one part oil. Yamalube 2 cycle oil comes highly recommended.

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Checking Yamaha Outboard Oil Levels

All owners of Yamaha outboards should learn how to check oil. Depending on the tachometer your engine uses, the oil level indicator could be digital or analog. Look to see if all three blocks (digital) or all three lights (analog) are glowing green. This indicates that there is plenty of oil in the main and reserve tanks.

If you see a yellow light, then you need to add more Yamaha outboard oil. On yellow, your engine oil tank may be full, but chances are your reserve is empty. You don’t ever want your tachometer to flash red; that indicates a fill-up is needed immediately. To ward off accidents, make sure to bring extra oil on long excursions.

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Spotlight On: Bryan Thrift

Since 2004 angler Bryan Thrift has finished 75 fishing events. He has earned $839,706, according to FLW Outdoors, and has won five tournaments. He has had 24 top10 tournament finishes with his largest bass weighed to win the Big Bass award clocking in at six pounds, nine ounces.

Perhaps Thrift’s proudest fishing accomplishment is winning the 2010 FLW Tour Angler of the Year. His boat is a Ranger and his motor is from Yamaha. No doubt, he likely keeps his motor in tip top shape with Yamalube oil.

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Spotlight On: Robert Boyd

Robert Boyd has proven that he is one of the top anglers in the Southeast United States. Just this past February, Boyd caught 15 Guntersville Lake bass that totaled 66 pounds, 3 ounces which made him the winner of an EverStart Series Southeast Division fishing tournament. It was Boyd’s first win in the EverStart series and he earned $35,000 and a new bass boat for his efforts.

The prize bass boat was a 198VX Ranger boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or mercury outboard motor. Evinrude engines tend to be a popular choice among pro anglers. Whether you’re a professional angler or a recreational fisherman, make sure to use high quality Evinrude XD 5 oil.

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