When I’m not on the water, I like to tool around on my Yamaha YZ250F motocross dirt bike. It’s agile and easy to use. I feel confident when I’m going over dirt hills or racing around an outdoor track.
Motorcycle testing websites consistently comment on the YZ250F’s ease of use. Even when you’re airborne you can stay in full control. To make sure it stays that way, I perform routine maintenance, like replacing the oil with Yamaha 2S oil every few months.
The Yamaha 50 TLR has a three-cylinder, two-stroke motor that weighs approximately 189 lbs. It has a bore that is 2.6-inches, a stroke that is 2.6-inches, and a 20-inch long shaft with power trim and tilt. Water is run through a thermostatic control to cool the motor.
A minimum octane content of 87 is needed in the gasoline that powers a 50 TLR. The ignition system is electric and the induction system is a charged carbureted loop (exhaust goes through the prop). Yamaha 2M oil is the recommended lubricant used with the Yamaha 50 TLR.
Yesterday, I wrote about teaching my kids pride in ownership. I’ve been reflecting on that topic a bit since then. I’ve tried evaluating how well I’ve instilled those values in my children. Have I driven home the point?
I hope so. Just in case, I think I’ll add boat maintenance to the list of chores they’re responsible for. After all, if they’re more than willing to take the boat out for a spin, then they should be willing to help with its upkeep. Teaching them how to replace XD1 Evinrude ETec outboard motor oil is sure to be a skill they can use throughout their lives.
Every 100 hours of use, I change out the filter and oil on my WaveRunner VX 1100. The sporty Yamaha WaveRunner has held up very well over the years, due in no small part to my meticulous maintenance. It’s all part of my philosophy of pride in ownership that was instilled in me by my father.
I’m trying to instill the same values in my kids. The next 100 hours will probably be reached this weekend. At that time I’ll insist that my two teenage children assist me with replacing the WaveRunner oil and filter.
In addition to my weed whacking and edging duties, I’m also responsible for trimming back trees. Dead tree limbs that could crash onto the roof are the first to be taken apart with a chainsaw. Branches that cross property lines are the next to go. Finally, I do some general trimming for aesthetics.
I used to buy the two cycle oil needed for the chainsaw down at the hardware store. Then, I discovered that the two cycle outboard oil brand I use for my boat also carries a line of general two stroke oil. The shop where I purchase my boat oil is now my destination for my chainsaw and weed whacker oil, too. I’d rather they have my money than a big box chain store.
Spring has sprung which means a lot more yard work for me. Even though my wife is the one who plants all the flower beds, I somehow wind up responsible for their upkeep. Part of that upkeep involves weed whacking and edging.
To make the work a bit easier, I use a two stroke weed whacker. It’s pretty state of the art in that I can get up really close to the edges of the flower beds without risking chopping off the heads of the flowers. Plus, it doesn’t cost too much to maintain the weed whacker; all I really spend money on is some two cycle oil at the beginning of the season and some fuel when it’s needed.
For a long time I swore by using mineral oil in my outboard motor. Year after year I experienced zero issues with the particular brand of motor oil I used. I’m not sure if the brand changed their formula or if my engine simply succumbed to its age, but the outboard started smoking far more than usual.
To reduce the outboard smoke, a mechanic friend of mine suggested I use synthetic oil outboard motor instead. I was reluctant but eventually did make the switch. Much to my surprise, the synthetic oil did the trick! From that point on I didn’t have any further issues with a smoking outboard.
Chainsaws, trimmers, and outboard motors are likely equipped with 2 stroke engines. Unlike their 4 four stroke counter parts, 2 stroke engines do not have a crankcase. To provide proper engine lubrication, 2 stroke engines require a mix of specially formulated synthetic 2 stroke outboard oil.
Equipment manufacturers typically work with the oil industry to develop these specialty 2 stroke oils. To find out which 2 stroke oil is recommended for your motor, take a look at your owner’s manual. If you can’t find your manual, then check out the manufacturer’s website.
Even though the snow has melted and the sun is starting to peek through the clouds, it is worth re-visiting the proper way to test snowmobile oil. Just as you would with car motor oil, open up the new quart of snowmobile oil and place the dipstick into the container. Remove the dipstick and let small drops of oil fall on a white sheet of paper or a paper towel.
Wipe the dipstick off and dip the stick into the oil tank. Pull out the dipstick and let a few drops of the old oil fall on the paper next to the new oil. Look for discoloration in the old engine oil. If the old oil looks significantly dirty, then you know that it is time for a change.