The Great Outboard Motor Oil Debate

If there is one aspect of outboard motors that no two users agree on, it’s whether to use manufacturer branded outboard motor oil or a generic outboard motor oil. You can think of outboard motor oil needing to meet a quality benchmark that is enforced by the TCW3 standards; this is the bare minimum. In addition to meeting these standards, all outboard motor oil contains different additives. For example, the Yamalube brand from Yamaha is marketed as being ideal for use in Yamaha outboard motors.

When it comes down to it, the additives in outboard motor oil make all the difference. While an outboard motor oil made by Pennzoil won’t have the same additives as that of one made by Yamaha, Evinrude, or Mercury, it does contain the basics needed to meet TCW3 standards. For the avid outboard motorist, using manufacturer produced oil makes sense, as these owners will tend to use their engine more. For the owner who uses their outboard motor just a handful of times each year, a generic oil will work fine.

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Two Cycle Oil Shelf Life

I’ve often received questions about whether two cycle oil has a shelf life, and if we’re talking about unused oil sitting on a shelf, then no. There’s no reason you can’t use two cycle oil that was refined even 50 years ago, though it won’t contain the same additives as newer oil. However, you shouldn’t leave oil in your oil tank for more than a year without use. Under these circumstances, the oil can solidify and become quite gelatinous. When the engine is started with this kind of oil inside of it, it can cause serious damage.

The real reason you would use Yamaha 2S oil over Pennzoil two cycle oil made in the 1950s is because the additives in the newer oil will help your engine to run better. In addition, you don’t know whether those older oils are TC-W3 certified; most certainly they wouldn’t meet the modern standards for two cycle oil.

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Boat Engines with Oil Injectors

Most newer boat engines and outboard motors come with oil injection systems, but older models will not. When using an older model of boat engine or outboard motor, it’s often necessary to premix your gasoline and outboard motor oil. Finding the correct gasoline to oil ratio is important, but it’s also important to use the right oil. When it comes to older boat engines and motors, most any TC-W3 certified oil will do. Manufacturers will tell you that you need a specific oil, but this is more an attempt to encourage the purchase of their products than an actual necessity.

Manufacturer branded oil contains special additives, and when purchasing a new boat engine or outboard motor, it’s a good idea to use the manufacturer branded oil to increase its longevity. But with older engines and motors, you can’t expect to prolong their lifetime by a whole lot purchasing expensive oil. In general, you can just buy generic TC-W3 certified bulk outboard motor oil from a retail supplier and it will work fine.

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Interchangeable Yamaha Oils

While Yamaha’s marketing department will convince consumers that their 2M and 2W oils are quite different, in most cases the two are interchangeable. The Yamaha 2W oil is marketed as oil designed for personal watercraft. The Yamaha 2M is marketed as oil designed for sport boats and personal watercraft. Because the 2W oil is a newer product with a more specific purpose, it’s often perceived as the best oil for personal watercraft. But both the 2M and the 2W contain the same additives designed to keep your engine working under high stress conditions.

The conditions under which sport boats and personal watercraft are used are often much different from traditional watercraft. Because of the resistance from the water and the need for quick acceleration and braking, there is more strain put on a watercraft engine than the standard automobile engine. It’s necessary to use oil that contains special additives to increase performance and reduce condensation in the gas tank. For sport boats or personal watercraft, Yamaha 2M oil is an excellent choice.

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Two Cycle Sparkplug Replacement

With several two cycle outboard motors, there are known issues with the sparkplugs becoming saturated with gasoline. This in turn causes the sparkplugs to foul, and the motor to fail after it warms up. While this could be an indication of a more serious issue with the motor that will require professional intervention, often the problem is caused by one of two factors: incorrect spark plugs, or incorrect gasoline/oil ratio. It’s important to check that you are using the correct spark plugs for your outboard motor, as the wrong sparkplugs will cause the engine to fail. It’s also a good idea to check that you’re using the correct gasoline to two cycle outboard oil mixture, as this can cause the spark plugs to become saturated.

If one of these two problems doesn’t fix your engine, it’s probably time to consult a professional about what else could be wrong. If you know a thing or two about outboard motors, you can always check around online for other owners who have had the problem and make an attempt to perform maintenance yourself.

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Winterizing PWCs and WaveRunners

winterize pwc Before the weather gets too cold, it’s a good idea to winterize your PWC or WaveRunner. Winterizing your PWC or Waverunner ahead of time will help you get back on the water earlier next spring or summer. To start, you will want to drain the engine and ensure all the water is out of it. The best place to do this is right at the loading dock; start the engine a few times for no more than 30 seconds to flush out all the water. The next step is to clean up; wash the exterior and ensure that the watercraft is dry. Ensure that you fill up the gas tank to avoid condensation, and remember to store it in a cool place. It’s also a good idea to fill up on Yamalube 2W oil (or your preferred brand). The final steps are to replace the spark plugs and remove the battery.

When storing your watercraft, remember to plug the exhaust pipe with a bit of steel wool or a rag to prevent animals or bugs from nesting there. Be sure to cover your PWC or WaveRunner as well to keep it protected while in storage.

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Common Motorcycle Problems

There are numerous common issues that arise when servicing dirtbikes and motorcycles, and one such issue occurs when the spark plug becomes saturated with oil and then fouls. This often occurs because of use of incorrect 2-stroke oil used in the engine. In most standard 2-stroke engines, Yamalube 2R or Yamalube 2S oil work the best. To correct the problem, drain the old oil from your injection tank before you add the new Yamalube oil. If the problem doesn’t correct, it could be due to other factors including:

~Spark plug too cold
~Oil injection pump adjusted incorrectly
~Air filter is soiled
~Carburetor adjusted incorrectly

For information on fixing these common problems, check online or with your mechanic. Most problems can be fixed without professional intervention.

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Storing Large Quantities of Oil

When storing oil in barrels, it’s important to be aware of the proper safety precautions. First of all, it’s important to ensure that your oil barrels are secured and that there are no leaks. Even a small leak can be quite harmful to the environment. It’s also best to store bulk oil in a cool but dry location. If there is water runoff or water present at the storage location, it will be much easier for the oil to disperse into the environment. You should also ensure that the oil is stored on a flat non-permeable surface. If oil is allowed to seep into the ground it can contaminate underground water systems. In general, slab concrete or metal plates are the best for oil storage.

Perhaps the worst place to store bulk oil is in your backyard or some other location that is outdoors. Plants, wildlife, and even humans can be adversely affected by oil contamination. Be extra careful if you’re forced to store oil outdoors or near the ocean, lakes, rivers, and streams.

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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.

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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!

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Manufacturer Recommended Motor Oil

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.

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History of the 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.

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