2 Cycle Oil | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 16

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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Basic Outboard Maintenance: Part Two

Immediately following every outing you should run through a short checklist to ensure your motor wasn’t damaged and will be ready for your next outing. The first line of business is to flush the engine. For this you’ll need a set of rabbit ears, which is a pair of rubber hoses connected by a metal clamp. The apparatus slips on to the lower unit where you can attach the garden hose.

When you’re flushing the engine, ensure that the water flowing through the system isn’t hot. If the water is hot or the flow is weak, it’s an indication that some debris is blocking the system. You can easily remove the blockage by inserting a small piece of wire into the flow tube. Once the engine has been flushed, spray down everything with some lubricant. Finish by topping off your tank with a mixture of fuel and Evinrude XD100.

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What Makes Some Synthetics Better?

When you’re buying oil and comparing Evinrude XD 100 and XD 50, do you really know what the difference is? The XD100 is more expensive, so it’s fairly obvious that it is superior in some way. Virtually all synthetics start with the same base structure, especially variants of the same manufacturer. The difference is in the additives.

Oils that are more expensive contain more additives, which enhance the performance of your engine. While standard grade oil will provide lubrication and protect your engine, premium oils work to eliminate ash, smoke and odor too. They also can improve the longevity of your motor.

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Is There a Difference Between Two- and Four-Stroke Oil?

Two-stroke engines are more powerful and compact than the four-stroke, which is why they are found on the back of so many boats. But some boats do have four-stroke engines. When you purchase outboard motor oil, you’ll notice that there is both two- and four-stroke oil, but is there really any difference?  As we all know, one of the biggest differences between the two types of motors is how you put oil in the system. In a two-stroke motor the gas and oil are mixed, while in a four-stroke the oil is contained in a separate compartment.

Two-stroke oil costs more, but is it really worth the extra money. The simple answer is yes. And the reason is that two-stroke motors are more susceptible to wear because of the immense amount of power they generate in half the movements. Two-stroke oils have higher ratings to ensure your engine gets the protection it need.

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Why Use Premium Outboard Motor Oil?

Needless to say, some of my boating brethren don’t take outboard motor oil as seriously as I do. And that’s okay, because most people don’t. But if you own a vessel, investing in premium outboard motor oil is important. While all oils provide lubrication and help protect the engine, a premium synthetic blend drastically improves the overall performance of your craft.

Top tier oil, like Evinrude XD 100 oil, can be used in a range of boats: outboard engines, direct injection or oil injected. Two-stroke oils have a tendency to smoke and emit odors, but premium oil reduces the emissions from your engine and prolongs the motor’s life. And when your engine runs cleaner, acceleration is smoother and overall performance is better.

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How to Pull a Skier: Part Three

One way or another, the skier is eventually going to go down, and the proper steps must be taken to ensure their safety. As soon as the skier lets go of the towrope, immediately grab your safety flag—which should be stowed away with your extra outboard motor oil and other supplies. The flag alerts other boaters to the person in the water. Quickly circle back around and come back to the skier.

You should always pass the skier on the driver’s side of the vessel, which allows you to talk and keep them in constant eye contact. If the skier wants to go another round, bring the boat around to the right, which will draw the towrope up next to the skier. If, on the other hand, they’ve had enough, simply pull forward to give them access to the step. In our final installment tomorrow, we’ll cover some basic tips and precautions to ensure safe skiing.

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Pulling a Water Skier: Part One

Boats are certainly fun to drive and it’s enjoyable to spend a day anchored in the middle of a serene lake, but one of the main reasons most people invest in a boat is water sports. And while towing an innertube is a cinch, getting a skier up—especially a novice—can be difficult. The boat driver has a crucial impact on the enjoyment and the safety of the skier, so before you put someone behind your boat, be sure you know what you’re doing.

When the skier is in the water, have the engine cut and someone else on board displaying your safety flag, which should always be kept with your extra gasoline and Evinrude XD 100. Once the skier has the handles of the towrope and is comfortable in the water, clear the rope from the propeller and start the engine. Slowly move away from the boater until all of the slack has been removed from the towrope. Tomorrow we’ll go over how to get them up.

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How to Choose Your Outboard Motor Oil

If you only take your boat out once in a blue moon, you probably don’t care too much about which types of motor oil you choose—and you probably wouldn’t have stumbled upon this blog post either. Avid boaters know the importance of choosing top tier outboard motor oil. But with literally dozens of choices on store shelves, how do you know which one is right for you?

The most important thing to look for is , which ensures the oil meets a set of rigorous standards set forth by the NMAA. Most manufacturers offer at least one oil that meets TC-W3 standards; the main difference across brands is the additives. Personally, I like to follow the logic that the manufacturer knows their engine best, so they should also be able to create the best oil for it. When it boils down to it though, as long as your oil is TC-W3 certified, you’re in the clear.

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Basic Boat Trailering: Part Two

The first time you back your boat into the water it can certainly be daunting; I mean, it’s not everyday your supposed to back your vehicle towards a body of water. When you’re launching your boat, your trailer will obviously have to be submerged in the water. For some reason—unbeknownst to me—various trailer lights aren’t waterproof, which can lead to short-circuiting when they get wet. As such, always opt for the waterproof option.

If it’s your first time launching your boat (and even if you’ve done it hundreds of times), it’s a good idea to have someone get out and help guide you into the water. It doesn’t matter if the tires of the trailer get in the water, but you’ll want to avoid submerging the wheel hubs, which can lead to rust and corrosion. Once the boat can float, undo all of the ties and cables attaching it to the trailer and secure it to the dock. That probably seemed easy, so tomorrow we’ll go over the more difficult task: getting the boat back on the trailer.  Make sure you have all your essentials in the boat, life jackets, drinking water, cell phone and extra outboard motor oil.

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Basic Boat Trailering: Part One

Having a permanent docking location for your vessel is an enormous convenience, but most recreational boaters aren’t fortunate enough to have a spot in the water for their boat. Instead, we are forced to launch our boat every time we want to use it and allocate storage space for the watercraft and trailer on dry land. And while it may be wearisome to constantly have to pull your boat in and out of the water, trailiering your vessel does have its distinct advantages.

First, you don’t have to worry about other boaters’ negligence when docking, mooring or transporting supplies around the dock. Constant exposure to the water and the elements can corrode the exterior of your boat and the metal components, as well as the paint on the hull. When your boat is on the trailer, it’s also easier to change the Evinrude XD 100 and perform other routine maintenance. Over the next few days we’ll cover some of the basic procedures for launching and , including some tips to preserve your craft while it’s in storage.

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How to Change Outboard Motor Oil

While the two-stroke engine has fallen out of favor, it does boast one distinct advantage over its four-stroke successor: you don’t have to change the outboard motor oil. Sure, you have to mix the oil with gasoline consistently, but changing your oil can be a hassle. And if you neglect to do it, you can cause serious damage to your engine. You don’t have to worry if you have a four-stroke, however; changing your outboard motor oil is simple:

~Take the boat out of the water and put it on a trailer
~Remove the engine cover
~Check the oil using the dipstick in the crankcase
~Use the trim button to raise the motor, allowing the oil to drain out from the crankcase easily
~Drain the oil into an empty container. Take out the drain plug to allow all the oil to draw off.
~Replace the drain plug and refill the oil until it reaches the full level

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