Simple Marine Engine Oil Changes

One of the simplest methods to change the oil in a marine engine is through use of a marine oil pump. Marine oil pumps are made by several different manufacturers, though often the most used are Evinrude oil pumps. Changing the oil on your marine engine or outboard motor is necessary task, but with a marine oil pump it can be accomplished in about 15 minutes. When using an oil pump, the pump attaches to the drain hose of your boat via a small connecter. The oil will drain for about 10 minutes or sometimes longer, and turning on your engine while the oil is draining can speed up the process. If you do turn on your engine, make sure to have a water supply feeding the impeller, and disconnect the propeller before turning on the boat.

Once the oil is drained, simple refill the engine with your choice of motor oil, check to ensure the proper amount of oil is inside, and you’ll be ready to go the next time you take your boat out on the open water.

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Buying Outboard Motor Products in Bulk

When it comes to purchasing outboard motor products in bulk, there are a number of options to explore to find the best deal. Perhaps the most common outboard motor product that is purchased in bulk is oil. You can often find deals on bulk motor oil at local marinas, boat repair shops, and smaller retailers. It’s often possible to negotiate with owners of smaller retailers, but of course larger retailers have prices that are set by corporate and thus any bulk motor oil prices aren’t negotiable. Those smaller retailers are also great for purchasing filters, parts, lubricant, and grease in bulk.

If you don’t live in a location near water, chances are there are few retailers who sell parts in your location. Under these circumstances, shopping online is a good idea, but it’s also a good idea to browse online to compare prices. You might even find bulk outboard motor products with better prices than in stores.

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Daily Outboard Maintenance

Outboard motor owners should be aware of a few simple daily checks that will preserve the condition of your engine. First, it’s important to check the outboard motor oil levels in your engine before you intend to use it. Outboard motors can burn through oil much quicker than automobiles, so frequent checks are necessary. You should also ensure that you have adequate fuel for your trip, and more importantly, that your fuel tank vent is open. Check your propeller and ensure that nothing is tangled with it, even fishing line needs to be removed as this can cause serious problems later.

Lastly, make a smell check for potential fuel leaks and oil, and also if you tow your boat on a trailer, and run it in salt water, flush the cooling system with fresh water. Performing these simple checks will increase the longevity of your outboard motor and increase its overall performance too.

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Yamaha Launches Four-Stroke Oil Line

Yamaha, the leading manufacturer of all kinds of sporting vehicles, recently announced its new line of four stroke oils. The Yamalube brand of oil, licensed by Yamaha, is a well recognized brand in the industry, and with the new line of Yamalube four stroke oils, the company has advanced into the twenty-first century. Yamaha’s Yamalube four stroke oil is designed to endure the stress and accelerated performance of four stroke engines. In addition, all of the Yamalube four stroke oils are JASO rated based on their application and enhance the performance of all Yamaha engines.

Whether you have an outboard motor with a four stroke engine, or a Yamaha motorcycle, Yamalube oil is the best formulated oil for all your needs. Yamalube contains special additives that work best with Yamaha engines, so for maximum performance, it’s important to use the best Yamalube four stroke oil!

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Common Ailments of Outboard Motors

While there are a number of serious problems that can be attributed to a malfunctioning outboard motor, here are some of the common problems for when the motor appears to be running rough:

~Burnt Spark Plugs – spark plugs need to be replaced about once a year, and are easy for an owner to replace without professional help.

~Malfunctioning Carburetor – this often happens in older outboard motors, but isn’t uncommon in newer motors either. It’s best to consult a professional if you think a busted carburetor is what ails the engine.

~Dilapidated Oil Filter – it’s a good idea to replace your oil filter at least once per year, should you not, it can cause oil to turn to sludge and eventually seize your engine.

~Incorrect Gas Mixture – older two cycle outboard motors often require premixed gasoline and oil, thus it’s important to ensure you have the proper ratio of two cycle outboard oil to gasoline for the best performance.

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Synthetic or Conventional for Outboard Motors

It’s not uncommon for an outboard motor owner to ask: “What’s the difference between conventional and synthetic oil, should I be using one or the other?” The truth is, most boaters go hundreds or even thousands of miles using conventional bulk motor oil, and never experience problems with their outboard motor. However, the reason synthetic oil costs more isn’t simply because it’s more advanced than conventional oil, synthetic oil also helps your engine to last longer. For boaters who take their boat on extended trips or use it year round, it’s wise to switch to synthetic oil to preserve the quality of your outboard motor. Synthetic oil works to preserve your engine when the engine is used frequently or under extreme conditions.

However, for most boaters who just use their boat on the weekends or a couple of times per week, using conventional motor oil works just fine. The chance that your outboard motor will wear out before you stop using your boat are slim provided you take proper care of the engine and only use it a few times per year.

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TC-W3 Oil Certification

It’s often that outboard motor owners ask “Do I have to use the manufacturer’s brand oil in my two stroke outboard motor?” There’s not a clear answer for this, but here are the facts. From the manufacturer’s point of view, they apply their brand name to two cycle oil manufactured by oil companies like Penzoil, Texaco, Exxon, and that oil might contain different additives depending on the manufacturer’s standards. However, most two cycle oil must also meet the TC-W3 certification test that is administered by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). There are few recorded incidents when an owner found that using any TC-W3 certified oil in their two stroke outboard motor resulted in noticeable decreased performance or damage to the engine.

In general, it’s fair to say that as long as the two cycle oil you’re using is TC-W3 certified, you’re making the most of your outboard motor. However, for those more particular outboard motor owners, the different additives in manufacturer branded oil might offer slight increases in performance, though depending on who you talk to, this might or might not be true.

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Motor Oil Re-Refinement

Contrary to popular belief, when motor oil becomes ‘used’ it’s not actually the oil that degrades in quality, but the additives within the oil. The oil refining process takes the dark odiferous crude oil, and refines it into the motor oil we use in engines. Through a similar process, we can also take used oil, remove the grit, combine additives, and allow it for reuse. The additives that go into motor oil are essential for preserving the quality of the engine. For example, if you were refining bulk outboard motor oil, you would need to combine additives that prevent water from entering the motor oil.

Re-refining is a newer process that became popular when oil recycle stations became popular in hardware stores, auto stores, and marinas. Through re-refining, people can conserve fossil fuels, and also help the environment. As oil prices continue their rollercoaster ride on the market, methods to use less oil will become much more important.

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When to Replace Your Outboard Motor

It’s always exciting to purchase a brand new outboard motor, but sometimes it can be difficult to recognize when it’s time to replace your old one. There are several problems that can arise in older outboard motors, some of which can be fixed, and some of which cannot. Common problems that can be fixed include broken propeller, busted water pump, and non-functional recoil spring. These items can be replaced with newer parts, and done by the owner with a little effort and a repair manual. Problems that cannot be fixed, or are not worth fixing, tend to involve the condition of the actual engine; for example, if the engine block is cracked, it’s best to purchase a new outboard motor. It can be difficult for an owner to diagnose more serious problems, and sometimes it’s necessary to consult a maintenance technician.

In order to keep your new outboard motor in top condition, make sure to perform regular tune-ups including oil changes (just as you would with a car). It’s also pertinent to use high performance outboard motor oil, like Yamaha 2M oil for two stroke engines. This will help your outboard motor to last longer and receive more usage.

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Interesting Two Cycle Oil Facts

2 cycle outboard oil, also known as 2 stroke oil, is an engine oil intended for use in 2 stroke engines. The main difference between a 2 stroke engine versus a 4 stroke engine is that the 2 stroke doesn’t feature oil sumps to collect and recycle oil, thus the oil must be mixed with the fuel for distribution throughout the engine. There are various ratios which 2 cycle oil must be mixed at, often between 1:16 and 1:50. Because 2 cycle oil is burned with the fuel, it results in a blue smoke exhaust and a unique odor.

In general, 2 cycle oil also has a much lower ash content compared to other motor oils. This lower ash content is necessary to minimize deposits of sludge and grit that form if there is ash present in the oil which is burned in the engine’s combustion chamber.

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Accessories for New Boat Owners

When purchasing a new boat, there are a number of peripherals and accessories that you may also want to purchase right away. Sometimes these accessories will come with the boat, and sometimes not (mostly dependent on whether it is new or used). Here’s a sample list of boating accessories you might consider:

~Anchor (often comes with the boat)
~Outboard Motor Oil (Yamaha 2S oil, or Yamaha 4 Stroke oil depending on engine)
~Boat Hook
~Dock Rope
~Life Vests and Life Preserver
~Depth/Fish Finder
~GPS Unit

The current market for boats and boating supplies has been weakening, and some dealerships are offering amazing deals; it’s a great time to buy!

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Two Stroke Oil Differences

When it comes to two stroke oil, there are different formulations depending on the kind of engine in which it is used. For example, two stroke oil designed for use in outboard engines (often called outboard oil), is formulated to operate with water present. In contrast, two stroke oil designed for use in a standard lawnmower will not be formulated in this manner. It’s important to double check the formulation of two stroke oil before you put it in the engine. While it might not be so dangerous for oil in a lawnmower to contain an additive allowing it to function with the presence of water, if oil bereft of this additive was used in an outboard engine, it could cause serious problems.

Most of the different formulations of two stroke oil are available in hardware stores, but if you’re looking for a specific brand it’s best to check in a location that sells similar engine products; for example, a gardening store will likely have two stroke oil for use in lawnmowers, weed cutters, and chainsaws.

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