February, 2009 | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 2

Best Oil for Snowmobiles

Best Oil for Snowmobiles

If you’re lucky enough to own a snowmobile, chances are you’d like to know a little about the ideal oil to maintain performance and reduce emissions. The standard 2 stroke oil used in other engines won’t work as well for a snowmobile. It’s important to use 2 stroke oil that is suited for snowmobiles. For example, Yamalube 2R oil is intended for high performance racing. This oil contains the additives necessary to lubricate the engine under high stress conditions, and in addition, it produces less exhaust making cleaning the exhaust valves a breeze.

There are several different opinions on which oil works best in snowmobiles (like all kinds of engines), and often it’s a good idea to ask around about what different people have found works best. It’s a good idea to ask fellow snowmobilers what to use in your snowmobile as results often depend on the model.

Did you like this? Share it:

Two Stroke Engine Exhaust

Two Stroke Engine Exhaust

The earliest two stroke engines were renowned for their raw power but also for their high exhaust emissions. Evinrude/Johnson, one of the leading manufacturers of outboard motors, replaced their inefficient fuel injection technology with the new E-TEC direct fuel injection technology in the late 1990s. This new technology was the first outboard motor technology to win a Clean Air Excellence Award from the American EPA. Now Evinrude/Johnson’s two stroke engines all utilize direct fuel injection technology for cleaner emissions.

In addition, using evinrude XD50 oil or Evinrude XD100 oil in your two stroke engine will decrease its exhaust emissions. Hybrid-synthetic and synthetic oil provides several advantages over conventional mineral oil, thus using either of the oils in the Evinrude XD synthetic series will help you do your part for the environment!

Did you like this? Share it:

Manufacturer Recommended Motor Oil

motor oils

When you purchase an outboard motor, motorcycle, waverunner, or any of a number of small vehicles and appliances that use motor oil, often the manufacturer will recommend the use of their branded motor oil. In some cases, the manufacturer might even tell the customer that the engine will wear down if a specific motor oil brand isn’t used. In most cases, this is not true. While the manufacturer’s branded motor oil can contain special additives that will help the engine run at its best, most motor oils intended for the same purpose will achieve the same effect. For example, a Yamaha dealer might recommend their Yamaha 2M oil for use in a Yamaha outboard motor, but an outboard motor oil from Evinrude or Mercury will work just as well.

Knowing that you can use other motor oils can save you a lot of money in the long run. Don’t just buy at the dealership either, shopping around at local marinas or online you can find better deals on motor oil.

Did you like this? Share it:

History of the Two-Stroke Engine

two-stroke-engine

The two-stroke cycle engine was invented more than a century ago, but is still used today in outboard motors, dirt bikes, and chainsaws. The two-stroke engine is renowned for its simple design and high power to weight ratio. But because these engines mix fuel and 2 cycle oil for lubrication, their emissions are more than normal. To power larger devices, two-stroke engines have been replaced by four-stroke engines which are more complex designs that have cleaner emissions because fuel and oil are not mixed.

The two-stroke engine is most often attributed to Dugald Cleark who invented it in 1880. However, it was other engineers that perfected the engine by creating the charging pump and the piston controlled inlet port. Two-stroke engines were used in automobiles until the 1960s, which were then replaced by the four-stroke design.

Did you like this? Share it:

How to Find an Oil Leak

How to Find an Oil Leak

Outboard motors are manufactured through different methods, and thus each engine tends to be unique. However, there are a few central locations of all engines that are prone to oil leaks – here’s where to look. If you find oil in the exhaust manifolds, most likely the valve covers are the cause of the leak. If you find oil on top of the motor but not elsewhere, it’s probably a lower intake rear gasket leak. If the engine is leaking oil from the rear and over the transmission, the likely cause is a rear main seal leak (commonly attributed to overfilling the engine). If motor oil is leaking from the front of the engine, it’s probably the front main seal.

Based on where you find the oil leak, there are various steps necessary to successfully repair it. Consult your user’s manual and contact a technician about parts and repairs. It’s also a good idea to stock up on Mercury oil to replace all the leaked oil from the engine.

Did you like this? Share it:

Changing Waverunner Oil

Waverunner

Changing the oil in a Waverunner is a relatively simple process, and it should be done about once every 100 hours of use. You’ll need a few basic items: an oil extractor (from your local marina), an oil rag, and your Waverunner user’s manual. The first step is to locate your oil filter using your user’s manual. Next, with the oil extractor, pump out about 2.5 quarts of oil. Next remove the old filter. Take your new filter and lube the O-ring with fresh oil, then tighten it down. Next add your standard Waverunner oil; Yamaha 2W oil for example. Make sure you don’t put too much oil in your Waverunner, or you can cause serious damage.

Once you’ve refilled the tank, hook up the water and run the Waverunner for about a minute. Check the dipstick when you’re done and make sure the tank is filled only to about the halfway mark.

Did you like this? Share it:

When a Marine Engine is Overfilled

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.

Did you like this? Share it:

Disposing of Oil Waste

Disposing of Oil Waste

When it comes to changing your boat’s motor oil, we all know how convenient it is to do it yourself. However, most avid boat owners also need to dispose of their motor oil waste now and then, and this can be more time consuming than the actual process of changing the oil. When your oil pan fills up, it’s time to head to the nearest hardware store or marina. In general, the same locations that sell oil will also dispose of used oil for free. The motor oil we consider waste can actually be refined back into regular oil.

In most cases, locations that dispose of oil don’t care what kind of oil it is or how it was used. Whether you’re disposing of the Mercury engine oil from your outboard motor, or the standard motor oil from your automobile, it all goes into the pot of oil waste and will later be refined. Ensure that your used oil is disposed of in the proper manner, as oil waste can contaminate water sources, vegetation, and cause all manner of harmful effects on the environment.

Did you like this? Share it: