Advantages of Two-Stroke Engines

Most devices with lower-power applications—such as gardening equipment, ATVs and small outboard motors—use a two-stroke engine, as opposed to a four-stroke. Two-strokes offer some distinct advantages over their four-stroke counterparts. First, a two-stroke engine doesn’t require any valves. This makes the unit much less complex, allowing for a smaller, lightweight construction. Also, two-stroke engines fire on every revolution, creating consistent power; four-strokes only fire every other cycle.

Finally, two-stroke engines will run no matter which way they are oriented. Because the gasoline and bulk oil is mixed in the engine, both fluids will always be in the system. This isn’t the case with four-stroke motors, where the oil is held is a discrete reservoir. Over the next few days, we’ll be covering the basics of two-stroke engines, including the steps in the engine cycle.

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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.

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Pre-Season Snow Mobile Maintenance: Part Three

Now that we have the hood open, remove, clean and inspect your spark plugs. Personally, I change my spark plugs at the beginning of each year, as they tend to die out quickly. Nothing is worse than trying to start up your snowmobile miles from civilization only to find that one of your spark plugs is dead. You can find specifications for which plugs to use in your owner’s manual.

The starter rope also requires attention, as it has a tendency to fray and wear. Even if the rope looks like it’s in good condition, it’s still a smart idea to bring an extra one along with you on your rides. Replace the battery if you removed it for storage and clean the terminals before making the connection. Tomorrow we’ll go over carburetor maintenance and the proper procedure for mixing your Yamaha 2W oil with gasoline.

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Pre-Season Snow Mobile Maintenance: Part Two

While you are conducting the exterior inspection, thoroughly examine the skis and runners for any signs of wear or damage. The runners should be straight and there shouldn’t be any holes, nicks, gouges or scrapes. Now that we’ve examined the outside of the snowmobile, it’s time to bring out the tools and get under the hood.

Begin by greasing all of the fittings and removing any rust or buildup. It’s important to grease all of the fittings each year to ensure their integrity and longevity. Just as your Evinrude oil maintains the inner workings, the grease keeps the fittings in pristine condition. You should have drained any excess gasoline prior to putting the vehicle into storage; if you didn’t, now is the time to.

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Pre-Season Snow Mobile Maintenance: Part One

With a particularly cold winter forecasted here in the Pacific Northwest, it’s time to start thinking about pulling the snowmobile out of storage. Although there may not be any powder on the ground yet, now is the time to go through your preseason maintenance. Hopefully you took the time to clean and tune the vehicle before putting it in storage, as his will make your job infinitely easier.

Start by gathering all of the necessary tools and supplies, including socket wrenches, spark plugs and Yamalube 2M oil. Move the snowmobile to a clear, open space so you have ample room to work. The first step is simply to clean the outside of the vehicle, removing any dirt, grime or debris that may have accumulated while it was idle for a few months. This is also a good time to do a careful visual inspection of the exterior.

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Summertime Boating Adventures

Every summer my cousin, Patrick, invites my whole family to his lake house in Portland to stay for an extended weekend of boating, fishing and barbeques. It’s something we all look forward to each August when the weather is warm and the daylight lasts well into the night. And every summer we always return from our visit with stories of adventure, laughter and family togetherness.

Last summer, in particular, delivered one of the craziest stories from that anticipated trip to-date. Patrick, my father, my aunt, my younger sister and I had voyaged out onto the water for an afternoon of margaritas and fishing when, all of the sudden, the boat motor began to shutter and then it stalled out, leaving us stranded hours from home. Fortunately, Patrick has always been the responsible and prepared one of the family. Within seconds he pulled out a backup supply of Evinrude XD 100 Oil to get things oiled up and running again. We were back on shore in no time and arrived just in time for my mom’s famous Sloppy Joes.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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What Does Motor Oil Do? Part One

Premium oils available today, such as Evinrude XD50 oil, do much more than simply lubricate your engine. It may not seem worth it to spend a few extra bucks to upgrade to high-grade oil, but your investment will pay huge dividends. First, quality oil facilitates easy starting for your vehicle. But in order for an oil to permit easy starting, you need to be sure that the viscosity is appropriate for the given weather conditions.

The chief purpose of oil—as we all know—is to lubricate the various components of the engine and prevent wear and corrosion. Traditionally, it’s been a challenge to develop oils that can perform in a range of climates and conditions. But thanks to the innovation of synthetics and additives, top oils are now graded for a spectrum of temperatures.

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How to Change Your ATV Oil: Part Four

Now that the oil filter has been changed and all of the used oil is out, the only thing left to do is put in the new Mercury engine oil. Remove the oil cap and place the funnel into the fill hole. Pour your oil into the funnel slowly to prevent any drips or spills. (Always consult your owner’s manual to see your manufacturer’s specifications for oil.)

Once you’ve poured the oil in, turn on the engine and let it run for a few minutes. While the ATV is running, check around the machine for leaks before turning it off and waiting for a few minutes while it cools. Insert the dipstick into the fill hole and make sure that the oil is up to the full mark. Screw the cap back into place, reattach the panels and you’re done.

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