Motor Oil | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 48

Reducing Outboard Motor Emissions

Reducing Outboard Motor Emissions

It’s well known that the two cycle outboard motor, because of its design, produces more pollutants than the standard four cycle engine. In fact, a two cycle engine using conventional mineral oil can produce almost fifty times the CO2 as a four cycle engine. This is an alarming fact, but with new technology, these emissions can be cut by a significant amount. Synthetic two cycle outboard oil has been available for a while now, and in comparison to mineral oil, it is much less harmful. In addition, there are new two cycle engine oils that are derived from animal fats and other renewable resources that have the same effect on performance in outboard motors but cause much less exhaust.

In these times when the condition of the environment is of chief concern to millions of Americans and people around the world, it’s important to embrace new green technologies for the betterment of the environment as a whole.

Did you like this? Share it:

Marine Engine Overheating Facts

Marine Engine Overheating Facts

Overheating is a common problem amongst marine engines, and most overheating problems can be attributed to the water pump. There are three main problems which tend to be the reason the water pump isn’t functional, those being lack of raw water flow, lack of fresh water, and defective heat exchanger. You can check for a lack of raw water flow by noting the temperature of the outlet side of the raw water system; if the water is hot, in excess of 130 degrees, it could indicate a water flow problem. Lack of fresh water will manifest as an increase in temperature difference between in and outlet of the heat exchanger. Noticing a defective heat exchanger is a bit more difficult, in general the easiest way to identify this is by process of elimination from performing the above two checks.

It’s also a good idea to check on essential fluids like marine engine oil. If the oil hasn’t been changed in some time, it could be causing the engine to overheat because the pistons aren’t receiving adequate lubrication.

Did you like this? Share it:

Where to Purchase Oil for a Jetski

Where to Purchase Oil for a Jetski

There are a lot of places you can find the two stroke oil necessary for Jetskis and WaveRunners, but to purchase the best quality oil, you need to know where to buy. In general, department stores like Wal-Mart have a good selection of products, but don’t carry the specialized oil needed for optimal Jetski and WaveRunner performance. There are several brands to consider, but Mercury Quicksilver, Yamalube 2W, and Yamalube 2M oil are all safe bets. You want to ensure that your oil is TC-W3 certified, regardless of which brand you use. Most of the time however, if an oil is from a reputable manufacturer like Yamaha, Evinrude, or Mercury, you can rest assured it is TC-W3 certified even if it’s not listed on the bottle.

The best places to buy two stroke oil are small marinas or online. If you live near a marina, you can purchase there, but if you want to save yourself some time, purchasing online is a way to buy as well.

Did you like this? Share it:

Interesting Facts about Oil Composition

Interesting Facts about Oil CompositionMost 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.

Did you like this? Share it:

Preparing Your Boat for Summer

outboardmotoroil-domo-online.jpgIf you winterized your boat before the winter, there are a few steps you need to take before you set out on the open water in the summer. The first step is to ensure your engine us running well, this involves changing the outboard motor oil and filter, lubricating parts, and cleaning spark plugs. Next check all the hoses and replace those that seem like a problem. Ensure that the battery is working, and clean off grime with a battery brush. Check the wires for kinks or cracks and locate and fix loose connections. Tighten all the screws on essential engine components.

The final steps don’t involve the engine so much as the boat itself. You should make sure you have the necessary safety equipment on your boat including first aid kit, extra fuses, and anchor. It’s also a good idea to check your trailer and make sure the tires have proper air pressure and adequate tread.

Did you like this? Share it:

Removing Oil Stains in the Garage

garage stains

Storing your boat in the garage is a great way to keep it sheltered from the elements and in top condition. But now and then your outboard motor might leak and leave those unpleasant oil stains on the garage floor. Cleaning outboard oil stains is often a simple process that can be done with household cleaners, but older stains tend to require more effort. The best time to clean up an outboard oil stain is as soon as you recognize it; if you’re changing the oil in your outboard motor and you notice a few drips, clean them up with a damp cloth as soon as possible. The earlier you make an effort to clean up stains, the more likely they’ll be successfully removed. For older stains, you can use a solution of water and vinegar to remove them. When a stain just won’t come out, you should wipe it away as much as possible, and then pressure wash the surface.

It’s important to be aware of runoff from oil stains, no matter how small the stain is, even a small amount of oil can contaminate an enormous quantity of water. When pressure washing, be careful to wipe up as much of the oil as possible so that just the faint outline is left.

Did you like this? Share it:

Importance of Using Outboard Motor Oil

Importance of Using Outboard Motor Oil

I’ve been asked several times whether or not it’s okay to use the standard auto oil in your outboard engine; the answer is a bit hazy. It is possible for the outboard engine to run off standard automobile oil, however, you wouldn’t want to do it for long. The problem is regular oil doesn’t contain the rust inhibitors which prevent marine engines from accumulating rust. In addition, it causes a lot more wear on an engine to operate in a marine environment versus on a relatively flat surface like a road, and normal oils aren’t formulated to withstand that kind of punishment.

The National Marine Manufacturers Association has introduced multiple tests to probe the quality of oil for marine engines, and as it turns out, only marine engine oil is strong enough to withstand the stress. Thus, if you’re in a situation where you absolutely need to use your boat and don’t have marine engine oil on hand… it’s okay, but afterward it’s best to flush your engine and replace the oil. There’s still risk involved regardless.

Did you like this? Share it:

Boats and Recreation

Boats and Recreation

Pulling water skis, inner tubes, or wake boards behind your boat is a great way to enjoy warmer weather and the water. However, there are a few safety precautions you should take to ensure an enjoyable experience for all involved. First, if you are pulling a person behind your boat, it is important to have another person (not the driver) as a flagger. There are specific flag signals that signal to other boaters in the area the status of the person being pulled behind your boat; this works to prevent boats driving too near a downed waterskier, innertuber, or wakeboarder. It’s also important to be careful of shallow areas indicated by buoys, and avoid making sharp turns.

You will also want to perform all the standard checks on your boat’s engine, including gasoline, outboard motor oil, and coolant levels.

Did you like this? Share it:

Launching Your Boat

boat launch

When launching your boat, whether at a conventional boat launch or in a less trafficked location without a boat launch, there are a few precautions to take before you start boating. First you will want to check the boat motor oil and fuel levels to ensure you have enough of both. Second you will want to inspect your propeller whether you use an outboard motor or an internal. In case you have boated recently, also check the hull of your boat for invasive plant species, this is pertinent for lakes and contained bodies of water.

After you have launched your boat, a few handy items to have for boating include a boat hook, a rope to tie off at docks, and a small dingy or inflatable craft should there be an emergency.

Did you like this? Share it:

Outboard Motors

outboard motor boat

I was thinking about buying a boat, but I didn’t really know where to start. I knew that I wanted something fast and spiffy. But I also wanted something that was mechanically sound. A friend of mine told me a priority in buying a boat is to make sure it has a good outboard motor. I had no idea what this meant.

After doing a little online research I realized that outboard motors are so important because they provide steering control for the boat. Outboard motors can be found on most all boats. Just like any motor, outboard motors need oil. It turns out my friend has always used evinrude outboard oil for his boat, so I decided that’s what I would use whenever I found my boat.

Did you like this? Share it:

Fashion penguins

penguins-sweaters

If you’ve ever seen a picture of a penguin running around in a hand-knitted sweater and thought it was just dog sweaters to the extreme, think again – these sweaters serve a legitimate purpose. Penguins are dressed in the brightly-colored sweaters after an oil spill to keep them from preening and to keep them warm.

The sweaters are knit from volunteers around the world, and placed on penguins that have been doused in the slick oil, so that they can’t ingest it when they preen themselves. Sweaters are also placed on the penguins that have had the oil cleaned and scrubbed off of them, because the detergents strip away the natural oils penguins produce to keep warm.

So next time you’re disposing of your boat motor oil, do it in a safe way. One quart may not equal an oil spill, but every little drop can be harmful to the environment.

Did you like this? Share it:

The difference between synthetic and organic oil

oil pump

Whether you should be using synthetic or organic oil in for your outboard motor oil is really a matter of personal preference. Both will serve the engine well, and have their own strengths and weaknesses. Here are some of the differences between synthetic and organic motor oil:

Organic oil is extracted from crude oil during the refining process, and may maintain some impurities. Synthetic oil is artificially made from other compounds, and includes specially designed performance enhancing additives.

Synthetic oil has several advantages over regular, such as a high viscosity index, a higher flash point, lower pour point, and very low volatility. But, synthetic oil is more expensive and in more limited quantities than organic oil. Most agree that synthetic oil is a better choice, but not as many choose it because it can be three to four times pricier.

Did you like this? Share it: