Two-Stroke Engine Basics: Part Three

yamalubeYesterday we overviewed the main process that takes place in the cycle of a two-stroke engine. Now we are going to breakdown this process a little further to better understand what is occurring in this process. When the piston is working in its cycle, the crankshaft will give the piston momentum so that it can return to the spark plug for the compression stroke. During this process the piston compresses the mixture of Yamalube oil, fuel and air to create a vacuum, which in turn opens the reed valve and draws in more of this mixture from the carburetor.

Once the cycle is completed, the piston will fire again and repeat the process. The fact that there are two strokes—the compression and the combustion—is how the engine gets its name. Because the piston accomplishes so many tasks, the two-stroke engine so lightweight and versatile. Tomorrow we will review some of the major pros and cons of the two-stroke engine.

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Two-Stroke Engine Basics: Part Two

Two-Stroke EngineYesterday we overviewed some of the basics differences between four and two-stroke motors. Today we will go over some of the mechanical operations of the engine. A two-stroke engine is essentially a simplified version of the four-stroke, and this means that the cycle is more economical and many of the operations are consolidated. As we said previously, one of the biggest differences is that the spark plug fires once every revolution, as opposed to every other revolution.

The design of a two-stroke engine is designated as a “cross flow” and starts with the firing of the spark plug. The fuel and Evinrude XD100 mixture is combined with air and compressed. When the spark plug fires, it ignites that concoction and drives the piston of the engine. Once the piston hits its down stroke, the exhaust port is covered and the pressure drives the exhaust gases out. After the piston bottoms out, the intake port is covered and the mixture rushes into the cylinder, allowing the remaining exhaust gases to escape and fresh fuel to enter.

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Two-Stroke Engine Basics: Part One

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There are three basic types of engines that are used in motor vehicles: gasoline; diesel and two-stroke. While the first two types are typically found in automobiles and other high-power vehicles, two-stroke engine are ideal for smaller crafts such as outboard motor boats, ATVs and snowmobiles. Gasoline and diesel engines use several of the same principles in their design and operation, but the two-stroke engine has some discernable differences:

~Two-stroke engines have no valves, which makes their construction more simple and lightweight

~Four-stroke engines fire every other cycle while two-strokes fire every revolution, giving them more power

~Since the outboard motor oil is mixed with the fuel, two-stroke engines will work in any orientation, which is important for handheld equipment

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Evinrude Company Overview

EvinrudeDILOGO

For over a century, the Evinrude name has been synonymous with quality in the outboard motor world. Originally founded by Ole Evinrude in Wisconsin, the company has vastly expanded and is now owned by Bombardier Recreational products, one of the premier motor vehicle producers. Bombardier is a leading manufacturer of ATVs, snowmobiles, and, of course, motorboats.

Today Evinrude is focused on producing top-of-the-line two-stork engines in their boats. J.D. Power and Associates even rated Evinrude as the “highest in customer satisfaction with two-stroke outboard engines in the US.” There is even a line of Evinrude outboard motor oil that is specifically designed for two-stroke engines, including Evinrude XD100.

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TC-WC Outboard Motor Oil Certification

old-johnson-outboard-motor-logoThe benchmark for two cycle oil is TC-W3 certification. Two stroke engines require users to mix the fuel with outboard motor oil to lubricate the various components. During this process oil is both burned, and unburned, creating various emissions and leakage concerns. The goal of TC-W3 is to ensure that the oil meets proper lubrication standards while still holding up to EPA regulations.

There are various tests the NMMA, the organization that manages TC-W3, employs to rate oil. Some of these tests include: liquidity, fluidity, viscosity, and standards for ring sticking and carbon build up. NMMA uses various motors and performs 100 hour tests to determine the specs for the oil. While there are no specifications for the oil formula, it must meet the minimum standard in the testing to be certified.

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Yamalube Oil Overview

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As you can probably ascertain from its name, Yamalube oil is a product of the Yamaha Company. Aside from their extensive line of motor vehicles, Yamaha’s selection of Yamalube products is one of their most lucrative endeavors. In order to reach the widest market possible, there are several varieties of Yamalube available that are specifically catered to certain vehicles.

The full synthetic blend is for high-performance use, such as racing and low-temperature snowmobiling. Semi-synthetic Yamalube oil, such as 10W-50 and 0W-30, is created from a proprietary blend of synthetic and mineral oils. Their mineral oil is produced from the highest quality base stocks and can be used in a wide range of small motor vehicles.

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Quieter Engines More Fuel Efficient?

evinrudeA recent study of outboard motors yielded evidence that quieter motors are also more fuel efficient as well as better for the environment. The test was run on a 1988 Evinrude outboard motor versus a 2008 Evinrude outboard motor.  The results of the test were as follows:

~The 2008 motor was 38% more fuel efficient than the 20-year old version

~Based on Friday’s fuel prices at the dock, this equates to a savings of $16 per hour

The most startling difference between the two motors was when both were started,  the 2008 hummed quietly as it warmed up, while the 1988 motor gargled and spewed smoke and fumes for several minutes. Although you can use the same Evinrude XD 100 on both engines, the recent advancements in engine technology is palpable.

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Don’t Let Friction Get The Best Of Your Engine

Engine_Oil_Sludge_3What exactly does engine oil do for your car?  Engine oil prevents all the metal surfaces in your engine from grinding together due to friction.  It also keeps your engine free from all the foul by-products that build up inside an engine because of combustion.  In addition, engine oil protects all the moving parts of an engine. 

Recently, more and more people have started using synthetic engine oil in their vehicles. They’ve found that there are numerous advantages in switching to synthetic. First of which is the cost. When using synthetic engine oil, the need to change oil is minimized. Not to mention the fact that it is an all around better engine oil, content and make-up wise. It is important to check the owner’s manual of your vehicle before making a purchase to ensure that you get the correct outboard motor oil.

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Shopping For Oil?

oil_barrelsAll oils are not created equal. When you’re shopping for new outboard motor oil, you’ll want to make sure it has extended drain capabilities in order to reduce your motor oil expenses. Other beneficial aspects of motor oil may be that it controls soot thickening and oxidation or that it is specifically designed for high-mileage motors.

You should also consider buying your motor oil in bulk. As with anything in life, buying in bulk can reduce the time and money you spend in shopping for motor oil. Especially if you’re a mechanic or own several vehicles with outboard motors, you’ll love the convenience that buying oil in bulk offers.

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Raising Public Awareness

oil-spillThe majority of human-induced oil pollution occurs on dry land, although maritime spills gain most of the notoriety. For instance, many people are familiar with the Exxon Valdez crude oil spill of 1989. This occurred when an oil tanker made contact with a coral reef in the Gulf of Alaska and unloaded about 11 million gallons of oil into the water. The environmental effects of the oil spill were disastrous, and many species of wildlife were adversely affected.

Despite the overwhelmingly negative impact of this disaster, it at least brought public awareness to the dangers inherent to petrol spills. Back on land, many large industrial operations have created contingency plans for what to do when an oil spill occurs. Many such businesses rely on the Spillpro as a trusted tool in the fight to clean up harmful contaminants. While changing your Evinrude XD100 oil doesn’t pose a threat of this magnitude, it is still important to make sure that you dispose of your used motor oil properly.

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Tips for Cleaning a Boat

deck-cleaning

Here are some easy tips to consider when you’re cleaning your boat:

Wash frequently with a sponge or nonabrasive pad and plain water; this approach is very effective at removing salt. Additional “elbow-grease” is required to remove stains.

When using detergents, only use soaps that are phosphate-free, biodegradable and non-toxic. Any soap should be used sparingly, because even non-toxic products can be harmful to wildlife. For example, detergents will destroy the natural oils on fish gills, limiting their ability to breathe.

Wax your boat, if appropriate. A good coat of wax prevents surface dirt from becoming ingrained. Clean teak with a mild soap and abrasive pads or bronze wool. This method is safe for the environment and better for the boat than the solvents in standard teak cleaners which tend to eat away at the wood and to damage seam compounds.

Avoid detergents that contain ammonia, sodium hypochlorite, chlorinated solvents (bleach), petroleum distillates, and lye. Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned the outside of your craft, ensure that you have appropriate levels of outboard motor oil and other essential fluids.

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How to Tune an Outboard Motor: Part Four

fuel_filter_autopsy_smallIf you only tune your motor once a year, you should replace the fuel filter each time to ensure optimal performance. The filter is usually at the motor cover end of the fuel pump; the location of the filter can be found in your owner’s manual. When replacing the filter, clean out any water or sediment that may have accumulated in the area.

Next, replace the engine’s cowling and apply a coat of car wax to prevent rusting and corrosion. Now mix some fuel for the motor, combining the proportions of fuel and Evinrude XD100 oil that are specified in your owner’s manual. Once the motor is mounted, start up the engine and check for water flowing from the rear of the engine; this is an indication that the water pump is working. Let the engine warm up, and then adjust the low-speed carburetor jet and take you craft out for a test run. Performing this routine maintenance will keep your boat running smoothly and save you money on costly repairs in the future.

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