Don’t Scare The Fish!

Decades ago, most fishermen used rowboats or even canoes to fish on lakes, but nowadays, outboard motors are much more common. There’s nothing worse than finding the perfect fishing spot and having some bonehead speed by you in a boat with an outboard motor. Because of the noise produced and the pollution they cause, some lakes don’t even allow outboard motors. For this reason, several of the leading manufacturers of outboard motors, like Yamaha, have dedicated themselves to creating quieter models. These new outboards would be created with the goal of being allowed use on all lakes throughout the world.

While the technology for a quieter outboard motor might not be perfected for several years to come, it’s nice to know that fishermen can look forward to using their outboard motors on all bodies of water. Yamaha has already made several significant advancements towards quieter motors using a lot of their same outboard engine technology and even the same Yamaha 2M oil. In a few years it’s possible Yamaha and other leading manufacturers will have a quiet motor on the market.

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Interesting Facts about Oil Composition

Interesting Facts about Oil Composition Most of us can name a handful of machines, devices, and engines that use oil, but what’s less well known is oil’s chemical makeup. Crude oil contains about 85% carbon, making carbon the most dominant element. This is also why gasoline, which is refined from crude oil, emits significant amounts of carbon when burned. The other chemicals in crude oil include about 12% hydrogen, and trace amounts of nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and metals like iron, nickel, and copper.

There are dozens of different products that are made from crude oil including paraffin wax candles, plastics, and asphalt. In addition, all kinds of fuels are refined from crude oil, including gasoline, kerosene, and jet fuel. Crude oil refined through a different process is also used to lubricate engines; standard motor oil, boat motor oil, and two stroke oil is made from crude.

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The Great Outboard Motor Oil Debate

If there is one aspect of outboard motors that no two users agree on, it’s whether to use manufacturer branded outboard motor oil or a generic outboard motor oil. You can think of outboard motor oil needing to meet a quality benchmark that is enforced by the TCW3 standards; this is the bare minimum. In addition to meeting these standards, all outboard motor oil contains different additives. For example, the Yamalube brand from Yamaha is marketed as being ideal for use in Yamaha outboard motors.

When it comes down to it, the additives in outboard motor oil make all the difference. While an outboard motor oil made by Pennzoil won’t have the same additives as that of one made by Yamaha, Evinrude, or Mercury, it does contain the basics needed to meet TCW3 standards. For the avid outboard motorist, using manufacturer produced oil makes sense, as these owners will tend to use their engine more. For the owner who uses their outboard motor just a handful of times each year, a generic oil will work fine.

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Boat Engines with Oil Injectors

Most newer boat engines and outboard motors come with oil injection systems, but older models will not. When using an older model of boat engine or outboard motor, it’s often necessary to premix your gasoline and outboard motor oil. Finding the correct gasoline to oil ratio is important, but it’s also important to use the right oil. When it comes to older boat engines and motors, most any TC-W3 certified oil will do. Manufacturers will tell you that you need a specific oil, but this is more an attempt to encourage the purchase of their products than an actual necessity.

Manufacturer branded oil contains special additives, and when purchasing a new boat engine or outboard motor, it’s a good idea to use the manufacturer branded oil to increase its longevity. But with older engines and motors, you can’t expect to prolong their lifetime by a whole lot purchasing expensive oil. In general, you can just buy generic TC-W3 certified bulk outboard motor oil from a retail supplier and it will work fine.

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When a Marine Engine is Overfilled

Most people know what happens when an engine doesn’t have enough oil (it breaks down!) but fewer people know the dangers of overfilling your engine. What happens when you fill your marine engine with too much oil is the pressure inside the engine begins to build due to the windage in the crankcase and the oil pump. This places great strain on rear main bearing seal. Even after just a couple uses, the seal breaks and the engine will start to leak marine engine oil. If the rear seal is not fixed, the front seal will also rupture, which then begins to gush oil.

This is a situation you want to avoid by all means, thus it’s important to get accurate measurements. This most often happens when you top off a warm engine because of an incorrect dipstick reading. It can also happen when you change the oil by yourself.

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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.

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Daily Outboard Maintenance

Outboard motor owners should be aware of a few simple daily checks that will preserve the condition of your engine. First, it’s important to check the outboard motor oil levels in your engine before you intend to use it. Outboard motors can burn through oil much quicker than automobiles, so frequent checks are necessary. You should also ensure that you have adequate fuel for your trip, and more importantly, that your fuel tank vent is open. Check your propeller and ensure that nothing is tangled with it, even fishing line needs to be removed as this can cause serious problems later.

Lastly, make a smell check for potential fuel leaks and oil, and also if you tow your boat on a trailer, and run it in salt water, flush the cooling system with fresh water. Performing these simple checks will increase the longevity of your outboard motor and increase its overall performance too.

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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.

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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.

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Motor Oil Re-Refinement

Contrary to popular belief, when motor oil becomes ‘used’ it’s not actually the oil that degrades in quality, but the additives within the oil. The oil refining process takes the dark odiferous crude oil, and refines it into the motor oil we use in engines. Through a similar process, we can also take used oil, remove the grit, combine additives, and allow it for reuse. The additives that go into motor oil are essential for preserving the quality of the engine. For example, if you were refining bulk outboard motor oil, you would need to combine additives that prevent water from entering the motor oil.

Re-refining is a newer process that became popular when oil recycle stations became popular in hardware stores, auto stores, and marinas. Through re-refining, people can conserve fossil fuels, and also help the environment. As oil prices continue their rollercoaster ride on the market, methods to use less oil will become much more important.

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When to Replace Your Outboard Motor

It’s always exciting to purchase a brand new outboard motor, but sometimes it can be difficult to recognize when it’s time to replace your old one. There are several problems that can arise in older outboard motors, some of which can be fixed, and some of which cannot. Common problems that can be fixed include broken propeller, busted water pump, and non-functional recoil spring. These items can be replaced with newer parts, and done by the owner with a little effort and a repair manual. Problems that cannot be fixed, or are not worth fixing, tend to involve the condition of the actual engine; for example, if the engine block is cracked, it’s best to purchase a new outboard motor. It can be difficult for an owner to diagnose more serious problems, and sometimes it’s necessary to consult a maintenance technician.

In order to keep your new outboard motor in top condition, make sure to perform regular tune-ups including oil changes (just as you would with a car). It’s also pertinent to use high performance outboard motor oil, like Yamaha 2M oil for two stroke engines. This will help your outboard motor to last longer and receive more usage.

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Accessories for New Boat Owners

When purchasing a new boat, there are a number of peripherals and accessories that you may also want to purchase right away. Sometimes these accessories will come with the boat, and sometimes not (mostly dependent on whether it is new or used). Here’s a sample list of boating accessories you might consider:

~Anchor (often comes with the boat)
~Outboard Motor Oil (Yamaha 2S oil, or Yamaha 4 Stroke oil depending on engine)
~Boat Hook
~Dock Rope
~Life Vests and Life Preserver
~Depth/Fish Finder
~GPS Unit

The current market for boats and boating supplies has been weakening, and some dealerships are offering amazing deals; it’s a great time to buy!

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Boating | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 32