Evinrude XD100 | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 17

Get Good Gear for Smooth Riding

Make your ATV adventures as fun as they can be by having all the things you need within reach. Dress for the part by keeping in step with the latest fashions in ATV apparel. Wear cool helmets and sturdy boots combined with great sunglasses for a really hip look. Shop for ATV accessories online and see just how wide the range of choices you have.

Don’t forget to also stock up on these extra parts in case you encounter any hitches:atv

~Air filters, oil filters, exhaust parts
~Batteries and accessories
~Bearings, intake, nerf handlebars
~Engine parts, axles, snow plow accessories
~ATV tire chains, bumpers, sprockets, sparkplug wrenches
~Extra fuel and Evinrude XD100 oil

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Early Season Snowmobile Maintenance: Part Two

SnowmobileYesterday we discussed how to check the Evinrude oil and other vital fluids in your snowmobile. While keeping tabs on these levels is a key element in basic snowmobile maintenance, there are some other key elements to check on a daily basis. Today we will review the systems, levers and switches that should be tested before every ride.

The first thing to investigate is the throttle lever and override system, as well as the brake lever; obviously these items are essential to ensure a smooth ride and proper safety. Also check the starter rope and engine switch before beginning your ride. Finally, take a look at the drive best and track alignment; even if everything looks good, you should always care an extra belt and plugs when you head out. Once these basic systems have been checked, you are ready to warm up the engine, check the lights, and head out.

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Be Safe On Your ATV

We often hear about accidents involving ATVs and children. In fact, hundreds of people die each year as a result of unsafe ATV riding practices. Many of these deaths could be prevented if more ATV owners were educated about safety. Here are some tips you should be aware of if you own or plan to ride an ATV:atv

~Only take your ATV into ATV-designated areas.

~Drive over, not around obstacles to avoid widening the trail.

~Comply with all barriers and warning signs.

~Use the buddy system. Never ride without a friend in case of an accident or breakdown.

~Never forget to wear ATV helmets.

~Perform routine maintenance on your vehicle, like replacing the Evinrude XD100 oil.

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What to Consider When Buying a Boat

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Many people are unhappy boat owners because they buy the wrong boat. Before you dive head first into the world of boat ownership, ask yourself a few questions that will help you focus on the kind of boat you will need:

~ Who will use the boat? Just family or will you invite friends? This may have a bearing on the size.
~ How will you use the boat? Will you be fishing, water skiing, cruising, taking day trips, weekend trips or week long excursions?
~ When, and how often, will the boat be used? Do you boat year-round or only seasonally?
~ Where will you operate the boat: in lakes, rivers or on the ocean?
~ How much can you afford to spend? Don’t forget the initial cost of purchase is just the beginning. There will be insurance, registration fees, and instruction and safety course fees, as well as maintenance essentials, like Evinrude oil.
~ What type of boat suits your personality and temperament? Do you imagine getting from place to place with great speed or leisurely sailing to your destination?

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E-TEC Engine: Saving the Two-Stroke Industry

e-tec_engine_003.jpgJust a decade ago, the face of the small boating industry was dramatically different. Environmentally conscious boaters were disenchanted with the two-stroke engines of the era – inefficiency and a propensity to pollute had placed them firmly behind their four-stroke counterparts. If that weren’t already enough to signal the two-stroke’s demise, the Environmental Protection Agency set rigorous pollution standards for snowmobiles, personal water craft and other recreational vehicles that utilized two-stroke motors.

The two-stroke renaissance came just in the nick of time – when Evinrude introduced the revolutionary line of E-TEC engines. For years two-stroke engineers had been caught in a serious dilemma – how could they increase the engine’s power while simultaneously cutting emissions? They found their answer in a device known as the Lorentz coil, which had previously been used exclusively for audio technology. The E-TEC fuel injection system also helps keep pollution to a minimum.

Even if the EPA were to place further restrictions on two-stroke engines, the E-TEC could stand pat as a leader in its field. According to one Evinrude executive, the engine only burns 1 percent of the total intake, and the oil doesn’t mix with gasoline. The engine requires very little maintenance, but regular oil checks are recommended. As with any outboard motor, it’s important to keep things well lubricated with Evinrude outboard oil.

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Back to Basics

Back to Basics

August is a month tailor-made for dreaming. There are no holidays in sight until Labor Day, so we’re left to spend these muggy days sitting in office buildings, thinking about where we’d rather be. For most red-blooded Americans, that place is the middle of a lake, fishing and basking in the sun. If you’re planning on taking the plunge and purchasing a small boat, there are a few things you should know about outboard motors.

The good news is that outboards are relatively simple engines. This makes them easy to troubleshoot and repair, although in many cases you’ll still want a professional to handle the more intricate work. The anatomy of an outboard consists of a simple engine, a cooling system, some wiring, a gearbox, propeller and driveshaft. All of these elements are contained in one package that is hung securely from the stern of a boat.

Speed control on a small boat could be likened to that of a lawnmower. In both cases, a throttle controls the flow of gas to the engine. The boat’s steering can either be done electronically or manually by moving a tiller, which points the propeller in different directions. Outboard motors should be kept well lubricated with Evinrude XD100 oil or an oil of comparable quality.

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Getting the Most out of Your Engine

Getting the Most out of Your Engine

For boaters on a budget, extending the life of an outboard motor becomes a top priority. Brand-new outboards can be expensive, so it’s important to care for them with proper maintenance and storage techniques. Whether you take your craft out on the lake every day or only take her for a spin a few times a year, constant upkeep is the key to engine longevity.

Certain tasks should be completed every time you hit the water. First of all, make sure the oil tank is topped off with Evinrude XD100 oil or some other quality lubricant. You’ll also want to check the area surrounding the propeller for excess oil buildup – a textbook sign of inadequate sealing. If your lower gear case has sprung a leak, take the outboard motor to a repair shop; it should be salvageable, but the job might not come cheap.

Some boat owners prefer to detach their outboards once the boat is out of the water. In that case, an outboard motor stand might be of some use. These items keep the motor upright and secure during storage. They are also potentially useful during the process of transporting your motor from place to place. Once you’ve learned to approach engine maintenance and storage in a serious manner, you’re well on your way to extending the life of your outboard motor.

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Winterizing Your Boat

Winterizing Your Boat

In most parts of America, small boat owners should expect to get a few more good months out of their vessels before it’s time to look into winter storage options. And of course there are those who live in temperate climates where one can enjoy boating all year round. For those who need to close down shop for the winter, however, there are a number of crucial maintenance measures that need to be put into place.

Assuming that the boat’s outboard motor has been kept in tip-top shape with Evinrude XD100 oil or some similar product, the following steps should be simple and painless. The first point to address is condensation that can build up in fuel lines during the winter. In order to prevent this from occurring, fill the gas tank completely and add a fuel stabilizer. Then start the motor and allow it to run for a few minutes so that the fuel and stabilizer can filter through the system.

Next, you’ll need to apply fogging oil to the carburetor. Just before the boat is put into storage, spray the fogging oil into the cylinders. Take the opportunity to scour the housing and then apply anti-corrosion spray to the electrical wires and connections. Once this is done you can focus on traditional methods of cleaning – spraying your boat down and waxing the exterior if desired. Don’t forget to disconnect the battery as well. If you don’t recharge it every month or so during the winter you’ll need a new battery by springtime.

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Evinrude through the Ages

Evinrude through the Ages

Yesterday’s post highlighted the inventive nature of outboard motor innovator Ole Evinrude. Today, let’s take a look at a few trials and tribulations the Evinrude company has faced throughout its long and storied history. The company’s first major competitor, Johnson Motors, got its start in a Terre Haute, Ind., garage. Johnson focused its attention on planes and boats, releasing the world’s first heavy outboard engine in 1926. The stock market crash hit Johnson especially hard, and Evinrude managed to buy up controlling shares of the company. The Outboard Marine and Manufacturing Corporation, or OMC, was born.

Business boomed during most of the rest of the 20th century, but things took a turn for the worse in 2000. With flagging sales and an inability to cope with increasingly strict environmental standards, OMC announced bankruptcy. That’s where Bombardier Recreational Products came in. The Canadian company purchased the Evinrude and Johnson brands and strove to uphold their proud tradition. The company has continued to produce high-quality Evinrude XD100 oil among many other products for boating enthusiasts.

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Spirit of Invention

Spirit of Invention

Innovation is almost always born out of necessity. History’s great tinkerers and inventors used the limited knowledge at their disposal to solve modern problems. And we in turn reap the benefits of those breakthroughs. The work of boat engine mogul Ole Evinrude is a perfect example. One hundred years ago this month, Evinrude changed the American boating landscape by inventing what is now called the outboard motor.

In August of 1909, Ole Evinrude wasn’t exactly a household name. He had distinguished himself as a machinist while employed for a number of machine tool companies in the Midwest, but he probably would have never dreamed of attaining fame in the boating world. On a fateful August day, Evinrude was enjoying a picnic with his girlfriend on a small island in the middle of a lake. The girl suddenly mentioned her hankering for ice cream, and Evinrude was eager to please. He rowed across the lake to an ice cream shop, bought the confection and turned back.

Before he reached the island, however, the ice cream had melted in the sun. This gave him an idea: Why not attach a motor that would propel his boat without the need for rowing? From there, Evinrude began to tinker until he came up with a workable model. He wouldn’t approve an engine design unless it worked perfectly. This attitude has remained an integral part of the company a century later. The Evinrude brand has expanded to include a variety of specialized engines, tools, and high-quality 2-cycle oil such as Evinrude XD100 oil. There’s no telling what innovations the next 100 years will bring.

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Disadvantages of Synthetic Oil

Disadvantages of Synthetic Oil

While using synthetic oil in an engine provides several benefits over conventional mineral oil, there are certain disadvantages as well. For example, the initial cost of synthetic motor oil can be two to four times more than that of mineral oil. However, this cost has declined over time. The lower friction of synthetic oil can also be a problem for the break-in period of the engine, where friction is desirable to cause wear. There is also the potential for stress fractures to occur in certain plastic components of the engine, and for decomposition to occur in chemical environments (often industrial use). In addition, for automobiles, synthetic oil is not recommended for use in rotary engines.

While there are some disadvantages to using synthetic oil, the advantages tend to outweigh the potential disadvantages. For outboards, Evinrude XD100 oil is one of the top synthetic oils available. Evinrude XD100 oil is ideal for outboards because the engines are under high stress conditions, where synthetic oil prevails over mineral oil.

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Common Myths about Synthetic Oil

Common Myths about Synthetic Oil

There are a lot of common myths out there about synthetic oil, and most of the myths are perpetuated by rival manufacturers of conventional mineral oil. The truth is synthetic can be used for all the same purposes as conventional mineral oil with better results. Here are a few common myths about synthetic oil and the reasons these myths are untrue:

Myth #1 – Synthetic oil voids warranties.
This claim is bogus because most major engine manufacturers recommend the use of synthetic lubricants. Most warranties are based upon using oils that meet certain standards for certification, and synthetic lubricants that meet these standards have no effect on engine or vehicle warranties.

Myth #2 – Synthetic oil isn’t widely distributed.
This claim is false because most manufacturers of conventional mineral oil have created formulations of synthetic oil in the past decade. Evinrude, for example, manufactures both hybrid-synthetic oil (Evinrude XD50 oil) and full synthetic oil (Evinrude XD100 oil), in addition to conventional mineral oil. Synthetic oil is widely available, and provides several benefits over conventional mineral oil.

Myth #3 – Synthetic oil causes engines to use more oil.
This claim is untrue; synthetic oil is intended for use in all engines, and the only reason an engine would use excess synthetic oil would be because of a leak. Engines that are mechanically sound use less synthetic oil than they would conventional mineral oil.

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