Outboard Motor Oil | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 11

East Coast Escapes Yearly Storms

Neither of this year’s category-4 hurricanes, Danielle and Earl, made landfall on the Atlantic Coast during the late-summer storm cycle. But that doesn’t mean residents didn’t feel the effects of the two very powerful tropical storms. 70-80 mph winds were reported in both the Outer Banks and in some New England states as the two storms slid up the coastline. If Earl had not weakened and remained 85 miles off shore, it would have torn through the Outer Banks with catastrophic effect.

Danielle, on the other hand, stayed several hundred miles of shore and had less of an effect on coastal communities as the two storms went up the East Coast in August and September. This comes as good news to avid boaters in the Eastern United States who will be able to enjoy this season’s shorelines without having to rebuild from a cataclysmic hurricane season. I know I’ll be taking my boat out as soon as possible, that’s why I’ve already stocked up on boat motor oil for the season to come.

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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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The Anatomy of the Two-Stroke Engine: Part Three

Although the workings of the two-stroke engine are more basic than the four-stroke, they are by no means simplistic. The cycle begins when the spark plug fires, igniting the fuel, air and bulk oil that have been compressed in the cylinder. This explosion, also known as the combustion stroke, drives the piston downward, which compresses the rests of the gas, air, oil concoction in the crankcase.

At the bottom of the stroke, the exhaust port is uncovered, releasing the pressure of the exhaust gases. When the piston bottoms out, the port to the intake is covered. At this point, the mixture in the crankcase is pressurized, causing it to flow into the cylinder while at the same time extricating the exhaust gases. Tune in tomorrow for the thrilling conclusion of the two-stroke cycle.

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The Anatomy of the Two-Stroke Engine: Part Two

Yesterday we covered some of the main advantages of the two-stroke engine, namely the fact that it is lightweight, uncomplicated and inexpensive. But two-stroke engines aren’t without their drawbacks, which will become apparent as we go through their cycle.

Like all internal combustion engines, two-stroke units operate on the simple principle of igniting fuel (in this case a mix of gasoline and Evinrude XD100) that releases energy and creates some sort of motion. The spark plug in a two-stroke engine fires every cycle, delivering consistent energy to the piston. Many of the components in the two-stroke engine serve multiple purposes, which allows the units to have a lightweight, compact construction.

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Pulling a Water Skier: Part Two

Once the towrope is taut, give it some gas and accelerate smoothly. A quick caveat before we continue with how to pull a skier: Be sure to adjust your ratio of gasoline to Yamalube oil carefully to ensure peak engine performance. Many people accelerate too slowly, which means the skier will be dragged under the water. Note that if the skier is only using one ski, you will want to give the boat a little extra juice.

After the skier is up, settle in at your cruising speed and head for open water. When making a turn, begin by angling the boat slightly to one side, then bringing it back around in a circle to the other side. Be sure to maintain your speed throughout the turn, as the boat will naturally slow down. Once the circle is complete, straighten your boat out so you are going the opposite direction from which you came. Tomorrow we’ll go over the protocol for when the skier goes down and cover some general safety tips.

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How to Choose Your Outboard Motor Oil: Viscosity

The viscosity is the most important spec to consider when purchasing outboard motor oil. Essentially, the viscosity is a measurement of how well the oil flows. As a rule of thumb, thick oils have a high viscosity, and vice-versa. If your oil’s viscosity is too low, it will lose strength at high temperatures, while if it is too high, the oil will not be able to pump to all of the necessary components of the engine.

The weight of the oil corresponds to the oil’s viscosity. Higher weights indicate greater viscosity in the oil. If there is a “W” next to the number, this signifies that the oil has been tested in cold temperatures and is approved for winter use. Tomorrow we will wrap up our discussion on viscosity and highlight multi-viscosity oils.

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Outboard Motor Oil Basics

In this blog, we often explore some of the more advanced aspects on engine maintenance and may overlook the primary purpose of this site: outboard motor oil. Most of us know that the oil’s primary objective is to act as a lubricant for the various components of the engine. This lubrication is necessary due to the amount of heat and corrosion imparted on the various parts during the engine cycle.

Any two things that move against one another cause friction, and in the case of an engine, there is constant friction between the many moving parts. The oil works to facilitate the movements and reduce the amount to friction between the parts. In addition to acting as a lubricant, the oil also removes deposits and promotes energy savings.

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