Outboard Motor Oil

The oil filter will need to be changed every time the outboard motor oil is changed.  Be sure and place a couple of rags or absorbent pads under the filter cap to collect potential oil or debris.  Try to loosen the cap, using the appropriate wrench.  You may have to clean the filter cap with an absorbent pad; if this doesn’t work, get a screwdriver and hammer and tap the screwdriver tip down into the cap, rotating the existing oil filter until it loosens enough to be removed.

Before you replace the old oil filter with a new one, dip your finger into the old oil and rub a bead of oil around the edge of the new oil filter’s gasket o-ring, which will ease the future removal of the new filter when it needs to be replaced with the next oil change.  If you will be boating in a hot climate that stays above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, use 25W-40 motor oil; in a cooler climate, use a 10W-30.  Screw the new oil filter into position.  Tighten the new oil filter by hand, ensuring it is snug with an additional ¾ to 1 full turn.   Once the oil filter is in place and the drain plug is secured tightly, remove the plug for the fill and add the new oil using a funnel.  Check your manufacturer’s manual for specifications regarding the amount of oil to use.  Finally, check your dipstick to make sure there is enough oil.  For environmental purposes, please dispose of discarded outboard engine oil at an approved hazardous materials collection center.  Happy boating!

With a four-stroke outboard motor, you will need to change the boat motor oil at frequent intervals.  (A traditional two-stroke outboard motor doesn’t require engine oil because the oil and gasoline mix provides lubrication for the motor.)  For a four-stroke outboard engine, it is generally recommended that the oil is changed once a year or every 100 hours of running time in fresh water, whichever comes sooner.  For saltwater usage or if the four-stroke motor is run hard, the oil should be changed twice as often—for every 50 hours of running time and or twice a year if you are a frequent boater.  A tip before you begin:  have plenty of rags or absorbent pads ready to use during and after the oil change.

Pull the boat out of the water onto dry land and remove the engine cover (which usually is secured with one or two latches), setting it off to the side so that its surface does not become scratched.   The top section of the outboard engine is called “the power head” and below it is the lower gearcase.   Pull out the dip stick to assess the condition of the oil inside the crankcase.   The drain plug is in the midsection of the outboard engine, and it will need to be loosened in order to drain the oil.

A table can be helpful to provide some leverage for the draining process.  One technique is to turn the steering wheel so that the drain plug on the motor is facing inward, placing an oil pan on the table and under the drain plug to catch the existing oil.   Back the drain plug out with the appropriate socket wrench, having a pan ready to catch the oil, because it will flow freely.  Once all of the oil has drained, wipe up excess oil.  Replace the drain plug, making sure it is secured.

The Labor Day holiday weekend can be an excellent time to enjoy boating recreation close to home as weather forecasts permit.  There are so many festivals and special events going on all over America, but a quick bit of rest and relaxation on the water may appeal to you much more.  However, according to AAA spokespeople, projected Labor Day travel is down 1% from last year among Americans.  This may be due to the prices of fuel and automobile oil as well as boat motor oil.   Impending expenses for school clothing and supplies many families with children must absorb can also be a deciding factor when choosing to stay home for Labor Day Weekend.

If you do choose to participate in recreational boating this Labor Day weekend, please follow basic rules of safety on the waterways.  Wear a lifejacket that fits properly, avoid alcohol consumption when on the boat, keep a lookout for people and objects in the water, familiarize yourself with water routes and conditions before you travel, and follow the boating “rules of the road”.  Most boating fatalities occur each summer during Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day holidays.  Operator inattention has been said to be the leading cause of boating accidents, followed by alcohol-related fatalities.  One wise precaution is assignation of a designated driver while boating, but passengers who are intoxicated can also cause safety hazards by falling overboard, swimming too close to boat propellers, and having other mishaps.  Not wearing a life jacket is also a common component of fatal boating accidents.  The new lightweight, compact fishing vests on the market are much more comfortable than the bulkier, more traditional life vests, having been innovatively designed to serve multiple purposes and are added incentive for anglers to wear them at all times while on the water.

In the last couple of blogs, we’ve covered some basic fuel and oil questions in regard to boating.  One frequently asked question that was not previously addressed was, “I have some outboard motor oil that has been sitting on the shelf for a few years.  Is it any good?  Can I still use it?”

The answer is:  shake it up a bit and it should be fine.  It may need to be room temperature to perform at its best, so avoid extreme heat or cold.

What is oxygenated fuel?   Oxygenated fuel contains oxygen as part of its chemical makeup.  The purpose of fuel oxygenation is often to reduce carbon monoxide levels created while the fuel burns.  Usually oxygenates come in the form of gasoline additives, such as alcohol.

Some boaters are concerned with the possibility than an oxygenated fuel can harm their motor and interfere with the performance of their outboard motor oil.  Outboard motors can generally tolerate up to 10% alcohol content in fuels, which is the maximum amount allowed by the United States.

If it is a new motor, and it is attached to a new Evinrude boat (or a new-to-you boat), congratulations! You may have a question or two about the best care and feeding for this fine machine.  For instance, if you are dealing with a two-stroke Evinrude motor, you may be wondering what kind of oil to use. Their suggestions are XD30, XD50 and XD100 oil for two-stroke motors that are 1993 and newer.   When it comes to the grade of Evinrude outboard oil to use, 87 octane is the current minimum, but 89 octane is actually preferred.  Use of higher-octane fuels have not proven to provide any additional benefit, and may actually exacerbate hard starting conditions in hot weather.

If you are wondering about the proper ratio of fuel to oil for optimal performance in your Evinrude motor, a breakdown given on the company website is as follows: 1958 and prior used 20 parts fuel to 1 part oil; 1959-1963 used 24 parts fuel to 1 part oil; 1964 and newer use 50 parts fuel to 1 part oil.  High performance racing usage requires a ratio of 25 parts fuel to 1 part oil.  Finally, when it comes to gearcase oil type and capacity, refer to your owner’s manual for specifications. 

Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), the private company that owns the Evinrude brand, kicked off a year-long celebration of Evinrude’s 100th anniversary on February 14, 2008 at the Miami Boat Show.  Always on the cutting edge of boating innovation, Evinrude moves into the future with its line of E-Tec outboard motors, the most environmentally friendly outboard motor in the world.  Evinrude also has a popular line of boat motor oil.

“By letting people throw away the oars, Evinrude outboard engines have introduced scores of people to the joys of boating and turned these people into lifelong boating enthusiasts,” Roch Lambert, vice president and general manager of the outboard motor division at BRP, said at the time.  “Indeed, in its proud history, Evinrude has sold more engines worldwide than any other outboard manufacturer. People know that buying an Evinrude means buying a trusted brand name that delivers everything they want in an outboard engine,” Mr. Lambert continued.
 

One of the possible benefits of joining a fishing club is that members can get together and buy boat motor oil in bulk.  Many people join a club initially to try tournament fishing without putting out a lot of money—some clubs even have openings for no-boat fishermen, so you don’t have to get a boat right away.

Different clubs have different formats.  Some encourage fishing in teams, while others have individuals fishing alone in tournaments.   Many clubs have a theme, such as bass or smallmouth fishing. It is common for fishing clubs to be active in conservation efforts.  Some of them promote youth fishing by holding an event for children occasionally.  Military bases and colleges often have nearby fishing clubs; there are also women’s fishing clubs, co-ed fishing clubs, and one national association for hearing-impaired bass fishermen with chapters in several states.  Many fishing club websites include educational articles and archived newsletters for your information.

Two cycle oil for high-performance racing motors needs to contain a heavier synthetic base than most to protect the pistons and bearing that are under more strain from the rigors of racing.  High performance two cycle motors can include stock or modified motors, including snowmobiles, personal watercraft, Moto X motorcycles, ATVs, go-carts and certain outboard motors. 

Performance motor oils need to reduce friction and burn clean, because high performance two cycle motors run hotter than recreational outboard motors.   The properties of appropriate performance motor oil will also provide some protection against wearing of essential engine components.