August, 2011 | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 2

Troubleshooting Johnson Outboard Engine

Wear and tear occurs with any piece of seaworthy equipment, even equipment made by Johnson. Troubleshooting a Johnson outboard engine is fairly simple. Start by checking the fuel tank for low fuel, broken or damaged lines, and test the rubber fuel primer bulb for hardness.

If that all checks out, then take a look at the motor’s spark plugs for corrosion or buildup. Replace any dirty or damaged parts. Run a compression pressure check; any reading below 60 PSI means that you should hire a mechanic because you have larger problems. Of course, replacing the oil with Evinrude Johnson 2 stroke outboard oil is an excellent means of keeping your engine in working order.

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Troubleshooting an Evinrude E-Tec Motor

The Evinrude E-Tec outboard motor enjoys popularity because of its low maintenance. The fact that it can run for 300 hours without inspections or adjustments doesn’t hurt its reputation either. Still, even the best outboard motors can run into problems, so it’s important to know how to trouble shoot.

If a problem does arise, look first for blown fuses. A spare 10 amp fuse is provided by the manufacturer so you shouldn’t have to spend a lot to replace a blown fuse. Next, check the water intake screens and also check for kinked fuel hoses. Finally, check for debris in the Evinrude E-Tec. Gunk won’t allow the propeller to turn properly.

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Reduce Outboard Smoke

At some point, every outboard motor smokes. To reduce the amount of smoke and the frequency in which it appears there are a few steps responsible boat owners can take. The first step is to add fresh fuel to the fuel tank.

The next step, and perhaps the most effective, is to change the motor’s oil. Replace old mineral oil with synthetic oil, like the Evinrude 2 cycle oil XD100. Synthetic oil runs cleaner, thus immediately reducing smoke. De-carbonizing the outboard motor also reduces the carbon build-up that causes smoking and poor performance.

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What to Do with Used Oil

Over 180 million gallons of motor oil are disposed of illegally each year. This number should be zero, but many people do not know the rules of what to do with used oil. Simply put, motor oil should always be recycled and never go into land fills or down the storm drain.

As previously stated, motor oil is 100 percent recyclable. When you go to replace your oil with some from your store of bulk outboard motor oil, make sure to save the old oil. You can either drop it off at an oil change center or auto parts store; they’ll add it to their own collection of used oil and drop it off at the proper recycling center. You can also call your local waste hauler and find out if they offer curbside collection – then you don’t even have to leave your own driveway!

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Storing Bulk Oil

We previously posted about the savings associated with purchasing motor oil in bulk, but what do you do once you have a 50 gallon barrel of oil? Obviously, you’re not going to use the motor oil all at once, so you need to properly store it. A shed or sheltered facility that is cool and free from moisture is an ideal storage spot.

Oil drums can leak, so you may want to store your bulk oil in an oil tank. These tanks tend to be more durable. Still, leaks can occur so check your oil tanks regularly for leaks. Clean up all spills immediately and replace or patch up leaking containers.

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Maintaining a Fleet

Do you own a fleet of small fishing boats? Or perhaps a fleet of boats for day cruises? Then you need to be smart with your money to keep your business afloat in these difficult financial times.

One of the ways you can save money is by purchasing bulk motor oil. Buying in bulk is far cheaper than purchasing oil as you go along. Also, you don’t have to sacrifice quality for a lower cost; you can still by your preferred brand of motor oil.

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Getting the Best Mileage, Part II

Continuing from yesterday’s post, here are a few more handy tips for getting the best mileage on the water. This may seem like a no-brainer, but make sure you use your GPS device. Backtracking or taking the “scenic route” wastes a lot of fuel, particularly if you have a definite destination.

Second, know your trim! Many boaters simply angle their outboard motor all the way down, but you can raise your motor a bit and without touching the throttle. You’ll reach and maintain cruising speed while using less fuel. Finally – and I can’t harp on this enough – use the proper boat motor oil. An improperly lubricated engine is just going to cause major financial headaches further down the road.

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Getting the Best Mileage, Part I

Let’s face it: boating is an expensive hobby and rising fuel costs don’t help. Here are a few tips to keep more cash in your pocket by getting the best mileage. Before you start any new routines, take an accurate gauge of how much fuel you use, specifically gallons per hour. Some boats come with a gauge that will tell you this amount, but if not you can keep track by calculating miles traveled divided by fuel used (this number may not be as accurate, but it gives you a starting point).

Next you will want to inspect all of your plugs. If they’re full of gunk, clean them. If they’re cracked or leaking, replace them. This will save you money in the long run. You also don’t want to skimp on engine oil; go for the best outboard motor oil you can find at a discount, as engine problems tend to be the most expensive boat repairs you can be plagued with.

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Choosing Marine Diesel Engine Oil

Diesel marine engines require special marine grade oil. To avoid low-quality oils, look only at marine diesel engine oils tested and certified by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). The NMMA currently certifies three types of marine grade engine oil: TC-W3, FC-W, and FC-W(CAT).

TC-W3, like Amalie oil, is typically used for two-stroke engines. FC-W is used for four-stroke engines, and FC-W(CAT) is used for four-stroke engines that have an exhaust treatment catalyst system. Synthetic oils tend to be more expensive than partial synthetic oil, but offer better protection, so look into your budget to see what you can afford.

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Changing Oil on a Two Stroke Motorcycle

Even normal activities can place a strain on motorcycle and dirt bike engines. To keep them running smoothly, the 2 stroke oil needs to be replaced every season. It is advisable to check oil levels before any long rides or competitions, as well.

To change the 2 stroke oil on motorbike or motorcycle, start by parking the bike on a flat surface. Take a drain pan and set it up under the engine block, unscrew the drain plug, and let the old oil drain away. Screw the drain plug back in and add new 2 stroke oil into the oil compartment via the oil check dipstick hole. When the compartment is full, screw the dipstick cover back in place, clean up, and get ready to ride!

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Mixing 2 Cycle Oil

Many boat owners, particularly new boat owners, have questions about how to properly mix 2 cycle oil with gasoline. It is important to get the right ratio of gasoline to oil as too much oil can cause a fire, but too little oil won’t provide adequate engine lubrication. Start by dispensing the gasoline you will be adding to the tank into an approved container. Note down the quantity in the container.

Next, determine the ounces of fuel in your tank by multiplying the number of gallons by 64. Take the number of ounces and divide by 50, as the ratio for gasoline to oil is 50:1. The final number of that equation will be the number of ounces of 2 cycle oil you will need to add to the gasoline. Add the oil into the gasoline container, mix, and then add to your boat’s fuel tank.

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