Motor Oil | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 37

Pre-Season Snow Mobile Maintenance: Part Four

Since the machine has been idle for some time, the carburetor should be cleaned as well. You can find specialty carburetor cleaning products that are expressly designed for this purpose. While you’re fiddling around in there, be mindful of the inlet needle, as it tends to get stuck in either the open or closed position. Either way, it will spell trouble for your vehicle.

Inspect the throttle to ensure nothing it’s unobstructed and moves easily. The final thing to do is mix some bulk motor oil with the gasoline and fill up the tank. Once again, you’ll want to refer to your owner’s manual to see the manufacturer’s oil specifications. This will also provide you with the proper ratio to use when combining the oil and gasoline.

Did you like this? Share it:

Why Buy in Bulk?

If you spend the better part of the summer months out on your boat, it makes sense to invest in some bulk outboard motor oil. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Bulk oil, isn’t that for marinas?” True, but recreational boaters can save significant money by purchasing their oil in bulk too. As long as the oil stays in the container with the cap on, it stays good for an incredible amount of time.

Even if you don’t think you can use the oil by yourself, it makes sense to gather a few of your boating buddies and invest in some bulk oil together. You’ll save hundreds of dollars over the next few boating seasons. And since you can buy bulk oil in gallon bottles, you won’t have to worry about the batch going bad for decades.

Did you like this? Share it:

What Does Motor Oil Do? Part Four

Last but not least, outboard oil improves your fuel economy. The easier it is for your engine to run, the less fuel it needs to use. In order to maximize your fuel efficiency, be sure to change your oil when recommended and always opt for premium oil. If you don’t know which product to choose, consult your owner’s manual. Or if you’re purchasing outboard motor oil, you can use the TC-W3 Certification as your guide.

The National Marine Manufacturers Association awards TC-W3 certification annually to oils that meet a stringent set of standards. Each of the oils is tested on several engines in a variety of conditions to garner objective, quantifiable data with which to compare the oils. If you want the best for your engine, be sure to purchase oil with the certification.

Did you like this? Share it:

What Does Motor Oil Do? Part Three

One of the functions we don’t usually associate with marine engine oil is cooling. In most vehicles, the antifreeze concoction in the cooling system only does about 60% of the work when it comes to cooling the engine. Not only does oil cool the engine as it pulses through the system, it also controls the temperature by reducing friction.

Many of the grooves and spaces in-between the fittings on the engine leave microscopic openings in the system where pressure normally would be able to escape. However, the oil works its way into these gaps and creates a seal, effectively improving the engine’s efficiency. Additives in the oil now help reduce foam, allowing the oil to function to its full capabilities.

Did you like this? Share it:

What Does Motor Oil Do? Part Two

Not only does Evinrude outboard oil provide lubrication to the engine, it also reduces friction between the parts. It’s important to find a medium with the viscosity of the oil you use; if it’s too thick, the engine will have to work harder and you’ll lose power and efficiency. The lubrication and friction reduction produced by the oil helps to prevent rust and corrosion throughout the engine. In addition, premium oil will eliminate carbon deposits and prevent sludge buildup.

When sludge forms in the engine, it prohibits the flow of oil, compounding the damage. Part of the sludge is formed when oil reaches the hottest parts of the engine and burns—at least until recently that is. New additives have made oil burn cleaner, helping to reduce buildup in the system.

Did you like this? Share it:

Boat Engine Maintenance 101: Cooling System

Most systemic problems with boat engines can be traced back to a neglect of the cooling system. The cooling system in your boat will function much differently from the one in your car, so it’s important to be familiar with the discrepancies. Regardless of what type of cooling system you have, the water you’re floating in will be used to regulate the temperature of the engine, which means that all of the debris, algae and gunk in the water will now be pulsating through your boat.

The first way to prevent damage to the cooling system is to inspect, clean and replace the filters on the water intakes regularly. This will help you catch any large debris from the water that would otherwise be sucked through the system. If you are boating in salt water frequently, gasket failure will be your chief concern. When you see any signs of rusting or corrosion here, immediately switch out the parts and work to remove any deposits. In addition, changing your outboard motor oil regularly will help rid the system of deposits and keep the engine temperature in an acceptable range.

Did you like this? Share it:

Boat Engine Maintenance 101: Making a Plan

Every boat owner—without exception—needs to know the fundamentals of engine maintenance in order to prevent long-term damage and have the ability to make adjustments when they’re on the water. Before we delve into the specifics, it’s crucial to get an understanding of the end goal of engine maintenance. Not only do you want to prevent long-term corrosion and wear, you also want to ensure that your boat is performing at its maximum capacity.

The biggest catch-22 about engine maintenance is that although your vessel is constantly in the water, water—and salt water in particular—is the engine’s worst enemy. Water is corrosive in and of itself, but it also facilitates the growth of fungus and other microbes. To that end, it’s imperative that you maintenance plan includes measures to prevent corrosion and protect against water damage. Over the next couple of days, we’ll be covering everything from how to mix your gasoline and outboard motor oil, to basic steps you can take to maintain your cooling system.

Did you like this? Share it:

How to Operate a Boat: Shifting, Steering and Stopping

Before you push away from the dock and open up the throttle, be sure you have reserve gasoline and outboard motor oil on your vessel. If you’re operating an outboard motor, the throttle arm will also act as a tiller. Remember, the boat will go in the opposite direction that you point the tiller. You should be able to get the hang of it rather quickly when you’re going forward, but be sure to exercise extra caution if and when you have to back up. Once the throttle arm is turned to “run” or “shift,” adjust the shift lever and turn the throttle handle until you reach your desired speed.

Unlike your car, a boat doesn’t have brakes. The only way to reduce your speed is by lowering the power, which is actually quite effective due to the immense resistance from the water. And don’t try to stop on a dime. Shift the engine down to neutral well before your stopping point. If need be, you can give it a little more juice to get your all the way there.

Did you like this? Share it:

How to Operate a Boat: The Basics

Whether you just bought your first boat or just plan to ride along as a passenger, learning the boating basics is a good idea for anyone who is going to be out on the water. Even if you aren’t planning to drive, you never know when an emergency will arise—or the skipper will want to take a turn being towed.

If you’re not riding in your own vessel, be sure to learn the basics of the craft when you get on. This should include locating the fire extinguisher and emergency supplies and learning how to start it up—although you should be able to do that after our crash course. Over the next few days we’ll be covering the essentials of boating—from how to properly check outboard motor oil and gasoline, to basic driving operations.

Did you like this? Share it:

Motor Oil: Mineral or Synthetic?

There are three basic categories when it comes to outboard motor oil: mineral, synthetic and semi-synthetic. Mineral oil is the traditional stuff that is drilled and refined straight from the earth. Synthetic oil is comprised entirely of manmade chemical compounds. Semi-synthetic, as you can probably ascertain, is a combination of the two aforementioned types.

So which is the best type? Synthetic oils have the upper hand because scientists have the capability to design the oil to their exact specifications. This allows them to create oil that works well in virtually any conditions and runs cleaner than mineral oil. There used to be the notion that switching from mineral to synthetic or vice-versa was detrimental to your engine, but current research has shown that you can switch back and forth without causing any damage.

Did you like this? Share it:

Motor Oil: What is Sludge?

Sludge has been a star of gasoline ads for the last several years, but do you even know what it is or why you need to be protected against it. Oil will oxidize over time, and when this happens the additives in the oil separate out. These additives consequently breakdown and solidify, then are heated and turned into a gooey, viscous substance we now refer to as sludge.

The obvious question is how do you get rid of and prevent sludge; and unfortunately there’s no easy answer. Flushing the engine can be effective, but you also risk simply flushing the pieces of sludge to a more recessed part of the engine. The best way to handle sludge is by preventing it in the first place. You can do this by changing your oil regularly and only using premium products like Evinrude or Yamaha oil.

Did you like this? Share it:

Getting to Know Your Vessel

Last weekend I went out fishing with some old buddies on Elliott Bay in Puget Sound. One of the guys had just purchased new boat, so naturally I was intrigued about the vessel. The first thing I noticed was the Evinrude name plastered on the side of a large outboard motor, which is always a good sign.

As I began talking with him about the boat, it quickly became apparent that he didn’t have a solid understanding of boat maintenance. He’s a first time boat owner and had failed to even consider which type of outboard motor oil he was going to put in the engine. Over the course of the day I took every opportunity I could to bestow a few fundamental pointers on him. We’re going out again next weekend, so maybe I’ll show him how to do some simple maintenance in exchange for all the free beer he gave me the last couple of days.

Did you like this? Share it: