Boating | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 8

Two and Four Stroke Oil Formulas

Yesterday we tackled the reasons why 2 cycle and 4 cycle oils are not interchangeable. Today I will explain how the formulas differ. For starters, 4 cycle oil is specifically manufactured with additives, like viscosity index improvers, to inhibit oil consumption. In other words, the formula makes oil harder to burn.

On the other hand, 2 stroke oil is specifically formulated to burn away, leaving minimal residue on spark plugs, cylinders, and exhaust ports. Another aspect of the formula is to inhibit pre-ignition. The formula also protects against rink sticking and crankcase sludge.

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Common Question Answered

I am often asked, ‘is 2 cycle oil interchangeable with 4 cycle oil?’ The answer is a resounding NO! Two cycle and 4 cycle oils have different formulas for use in two distinctly different ways.

If you were to put 4 cycle oil in a 2 cycle engine deposits will build up. Deposits can gunk up and severely curtail the life of a two cycle engine. Likewise, 2 cycle oil is too thin to provide effective lubrication to 4 cycle engines.

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Nautical Theme Party

We spend most of the summer at the beach, so I wasn’t surprised when my eight year old asked for a nautical theme birthday party. (Okay, he actually asked for a pirate birthday party). We had a lot of fun picking out and creating different decorations, like treasure chests full of gold and eye patches for the kids to wear instead of party hats.

For the place cards, we folded paper boats. Each child’s name was written on the flag atop the main mast. The nautical/pirate theme was a great success. Perhaps when he’s old enough to know how to change the Yamalube oil, I’ll let him have a real boat party.

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Boat Safety

When my boys were old enough to get their boating license, I made them jump through all sorts of hoops before I would give my consent. First, they had to take a . I quizzed them on what they learned, especially Coast Guard recommended safety precautions.

I then had them promise me that life vests would be worn at all times. They assured me and went one step further by showing me where and how they looked up weather reports before each outing. The final step was to make sure they knew all about boat maintenance, including how to check and replace Yamalube 2W oil. Both of them met my expectations and were allowed to apply for their boating licenses.

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Mini-Ferry Links UW and South Lake Union

Out here in the Seattle area, ferries are quite common. It’s often much faster to commute via ferry than to drive all the way around Puget Sound to get to your destination. A new mini-ferry recently opened that runs between South Lake Union and the University of Washington, much to the delight of Husky fans.

For five dollars, commuters can get from one shore to the other in 22 minutes. This is ideal for UW employees who want to take a lunch break or run an errand on the opposite shore. It’s also ideal for football fans that are more likely to find parking further away from the stadium. I’m not sure what sort of motor Captain Matt Stark uses, but Yamalube 2W is usually among the best options.

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Yamaha Maintenance Tips

It’s important to inspect your boat every time you plan on taking it out on the water. You don’t want any surprises to crop up when you’re far from shore. One thing you should do is check the hydraulics and trim. Check specifically for power trim and tilt fluid; it should be even with the bottom of the plug.

Of course, checking engine compression is a must (check yesterday’s post for a how-to). Next, do a visual inspection for leaks – water, oil, or exhaust. If all is well, check the oil to make sure it is both clean and at the proper level. If the oil is low, refill the tank with Yamalube 2m oil.

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Check Your Engine for Compression

Compression is one of the four elements that a two stroke engine operates on. The other three elements are air, fuel, and spark. As a piston travels upward through the cylinder, it squeezes air and fuel into a dense mixture that forcefully ignites. This process is known as compression.

Compression can be lost when a seal is faulty between cylinder and piston or piston rings. Check for compression by removing and grounding all spark plugs, and attaching a compression tester into the spark plug hole. Twist the throttle to kick start the motor. Look at the readings; a proper compression rating needs to be at least 100 to 125 pounds per square inch. Test each cylinder, as necessary. While going over the engine, it would be wise to see if it is in need of Yamalube 2m oil.

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Outboard Battery Requirements for Yamaha

Traditional speed boat engines use a battery to kick start the engine and power boat accessories. A Yamaha two stroke engine with a 50 or below horsepower uses a battery that contains 245 cold cranking amps at zero degrees Fahrenheit and 323 marine ranking amps at 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

A two stroke Yamaha engine between 60 and 150 horsepower and a 2.6 liter 150 to 2000 horsepower outboard engine requires a motor battery that has 380 cold cranking amps at zero degrees Fahrenheit. At 32 degrees Fahrenheit there should be 502 marine cranking amps with a reserve of 124 capacity minutes at 25 amps. While checking out the battery on a two stroke, be sure to also examine the oil levels and top up with Yamalube 2-m oil if necessary.

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Used Outboard Motors: Good Idea?

When I shop for cars, I prefer to purchase slightly used or “pre-owned” vehicles. A new car loses its value as soon as you drive it off the lot. In my mind, there are only two reasons to purchase new: 1) if you are trying to build credit or 2) there are no quality used vehicles to be found. A friend of mine recently queried me as to whether I would buy a used outboard motor.

This one made me pause for a bit. Truth be told, I have always bought my outboard motors brand new. After considering his question, I concluded that yes, if the motor were in excellent condition, I would not be opposed to purchasing a used outboard. Of course, I would be sure to inspect the motor carefully, clean it, and fill it up with Yamaha outboard oil to ensure a long lifespan.

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Benefits of Yamalube 2S Oil

For years now, I have been a big fan of Yamaha products, especially their line of lubricants for outboard motors. I have taken to using Yamalube 2S two stroke oil. The Yamaha 2S oil uses a technologically advanced semi-synthetic base stock and additive system to ensure high performance all season long.

The Yamaha 2S oil reduces the amount of visible smoke the engine gives off. The lubricant also reduces carbon and varnish deposit buildup, leading to longer engine life. Another aspect of Yamalube 2S oil I greatly appreciate is its ability to work in a range of temperatures, including sub-freezing conditions. Simply put, the oil won’t gel, which makes it great for use in snowmobiles.

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Tools for Yamaha Outboards

For any engine, having the right maintenance tools is a necessity. Yamaha has several specific tools that will keep outboards running in tip top condition. Take for instance, the Yamaha 10-micron fuel and water separating filter. The filter can be used for around 100 hours before needing replacement. The filter is critical to winterization setup.

A multimeter is another important tool to have in your arsenal. It is a device that is used to check electrical connections onboard and identifies problem areas. Though not strictly a tool, lubrication is vital to the function of a Yamaha outboard. Yamaha 4M oil is advisable for four stroke engines, and Yamaha 2M oil is advisable for two stroke engines.

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Evinrude’s Answer to Four Stroke Engines

Four stroke engines are known for their easy start, smooth operation, and fuel economy. Two stroke engines, on the other hand, have in the past been scolded for inconsistencies, bad idling, and too much gas consumption. Evinrude decided to tackle the two stroke flaws and created the Evinrude ETEC engine.

The Evinrude ETEC engine is a direct injection two stroke outboard motor. It is able to idle at lower revolutions per minute and is far quieter than its predecessors. Plus, for the first 300 hours of use, the ETEC does not require maintenance. Once you do hit those 300 hours, be sure to change out the oil with XD1 Evinrude ETEC outboard motor oil.

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