December, 2008 | Outboard Motor Oil

Fuel Efficiency with Yamaha WaveRunners

Fuel Efficiency with Yamaha WaveRunners

Yamaha is the leading manufacturer of personal watercraft in the world, and has taken great effort to design fuel efficient and clean burning engines. The Yamaha WaveRunner brand of personal watercraft has changed the face of the industry, with newer models capable of saving consumers hundreds of dollars each year in fuel costs compared to competitor models. The WaveRunner offers this kind of fuel efficiency without sacrificing speed due to Yamaha’s innovative engine design. Yamaha 2W oil is the company’s specially formulated brand of motor oil for use in their WaveRunner personal watercraft; this motor oil combined with WaveRunner engine technology allow for increased fuel efficiency and longevity.

Yamaha designs several different WaveRunner models, with most having higher top speeds than competitor models despite consuming less gallons of gasoline per hour of use. Some WaveRunner models also offer performance level quality and run on regular unleaded gasoline.

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Purchasing Motor Oil in Bulk

Purchasing Motor Oil in Bulk

When purchasing motor oil by the drum, it’s important to be aware of a few key factors. First, recognize that as with most items purchased in bulk, it is possible to receive a discount when purchasing bulk oil. However, you wouldn’t want to purchase oil in bulk unless you intend to use it; oil drums are difficult to store (they’re heavy and unwieldy). Another common misconception about purchasing oil in bulk is in regards to purchasing online; often customers think that shipping on an oil drum will be extremely expensive and not worth it. However, depending on where you’re ordering your oil drum from, it can be in the moderate price range of about $30-40 for shipping. Since you’re probably spending a few hundred on the drum itself, if you have use for this much oil and find a good deal, it’s probably worth it.

You can purchase oil in drums from the manufacturers, or from various vendors at their physical stores, or online.

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Potential Dangers of an Oil Spill

Potential Dangers of an Oil Spill

It’s a near catastrophic event when marine life are affected by an oil spill. Both mineral and synthetic oils are harmful to the marine environment because they can coat marine animals with the sticky oil substance, hindering their movement and respiration, and also an oil spill blocks sunlight from entering the water, and can harm photosynthetic life like plants and algae. When an oil spill occurs, it can take weeks or even months of effort to remove the oil from the water, and years to repair the damage to marine life that results from an oil spill. Bulk motor oil spills are particularly dangerous, though small oil spills have the same effect on a smaller scale.

Whether you’re driving a twenty foot watercraft or a commercial supertanker, taking precautions to prevent oil leakage from both the engine or in some cases the cargo will prevent significant damage to aquatic life.

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Checking Boat Engine Oil

boat motor oil

Checking the oil level in your outboard motor is a simple process, but it can nonetheless be confusing if you’ve never done it before. In addition to having the proper amount of oil in your motor, it’s also important to check the quality of the oil. Begin by pulling out the oil dipstick, and wipe off the engine oil with a light colored rag. Put the dipstick back in, then immediately pull it out. Compare the oil on the end of the dipstick with that against the rag, noting the quality and if there are any particles of dirt or grit. You want your boat motor oil to be a caramel color; if it is black it might require changing.

To check the oil level in the engine, simply note the place on your dipstick that indicates ‘full’ or ‘low’ and the oil line in relation to this spot. Be sure to pull the dipstick out and wipe it back off before putting it back in; this will give you an accurate reading.

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Synthetic and Hybrid Synthetic Oils

Synthetic and Hybrid Synthetic Oils

Oil became an ever more precious commodity with the advent of the Industrial Age, and since the early 1900s, with the mainstream production of the combustion engine, mineral oil has been necessary for all kinds of day to day errands, travel, and jobs. Because engine manufacturers realized long ago that the world’s oil supply would not last forever, they began research on synthetic oil. Though most owners of cars, boats, or machinery still use mineral oil today, synthetic oil and hybrid synthetic oil have become available to the general public. Synthetic oil is oil that is created with no mineral oil, and despite popular belief, it works just as well as mineral oil in most machinery (though you shouldn’t switch between mineral and synthetic). Hybrid synthetic oil contains both synthetic and mineral oil, an example of this would be Evinrude XD50 oil used for outboard motors.

The main difference between synthetic, hybrid synthetic, and mineral oil is cost; in general synthetic oil is the most expensive followed by hybrid synthetic and then mineral oil.

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Smoking Yamaha Engines

Smoking Yamaha Engines

Now and then your Yamaha outboard motor will produce an excessive amount of smoke while it’s starting up, and can draw unwanted and chiding attention from other boaters at the marina. For certain older outboard motors, most often the cause is due to an incorrect gasoline/oil ratio if the engine uses premixes. This can be corrected by simply adjusting your premixed ratio, adding more gasoline. It’s also a good idea to check the plug caps, fuel pumps, and valves. Also be sure to check the oil level in your outboard motor, and change the oil if necessary using Yamaha oil approved for your engine type.

If your outboard continues to smoke despite these fixes, consult a licensed maintenance technician who can diagnose more serious problems.

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Importance of Using Outboard Motor Oil

Importance of Using Outboard Motor Oil

I’ve been asked several times whether or not it’s okay to use the standard auto oil in your outboard engine; the answer is a bit hazy. It is possible for the outboard engine to run off standard automobile oil, however, you wouldn’t want to do it for long. The problem is regular oil doesn’t contain the rust inhibitors which prevent marine engines from accumulating rust. In addition, it causes a lot more wear on an engine to operate in a marine environment versus on a relatively flat surface like a road, and normal oils aren’t formulated to withstand that kind of punishment.

The National Marine Manufacturers Association has introduced multiple tests to probe the quality of oil for marine engines, and as it turns out, only marine engine oil is strong enough to withstand the stress. Thus, if you’re in a situation where you absolutely need to use your boat and don’t have marine engine oil on hand… it’s okay, but afterward it’s best to flush your engine and replace the oil. There’s still risk involved regardless.

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The First Jet Ski Ride of the Year

The First Jet Ski Ride of the Year

When starting a jet ski after the winter months have ended, there are a number of precautions to be aware of beforehand. First you should take the jet ski out of storage before you intend to use it and check the engine. If you stored the jetski with fuel in the engine, add a fuel cleaner and a fuel stabilizer before starting it up. You will also want to change the engine oil, ensuring you use the appropriate type; ie. Yamalube 2W oil. Consult the owner’s manual for more information about the specific type of oil needed for your engine. Also be sure to change the oil filter and drain the pump oil, and add grease to all seals and bearing fittings.

When putting your jet ski away a few months down the road, be sure to clean the exterior, seat, and windshield to prevent corrosion and staining.

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Disadvantages of Two Stroke Engines

Disadvantages of Two Stroke Engines

I’ve often been asked what would happen if the same 2 stroke engine we use in our favorite outboard motor was transferred to a car or truck, and the answer is the result wouldn’t be all that pleasant. 2 stroke engines don’t last nearly as long 4 stroke engines, and the parts of the engine wear down a lot faster; they’re not meant to travel long distances or be used several times per day. 2 stroke oil is also quite expensive compared to traditional motor oil; a two stroke engine in a car or truck would burn about a gallon of oil every 1,000 miles, and burn fuel less efficiently as well. 2 stroke engines also pollute more than their 4 stroke counterparts.

Despite all of these disadvantages in cars and trucks, two stroke engines still work great for outboard engines and in smaller vehicles like jetskis and snowmobiles.

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Formulated Oil for Verado Engines

Verado-Mercury-outboard-engine

The Verado four cylinder and six cylinder outboard engines are without a doubt some of the most powerful outboards on the market. In the last year, Mercury formulated a special oil, Mercury 25W and 50W oil, designed to compliment the level of torque and acceleration in a Verado outboard engine. The oil is a combination of synthetic and mineral based stocks of the highest quality, and meets all the demands of the most powerful outboard engines. Mercury engine oil in all its formulations is renowned for superior protection from corrosion, as well as enhanced lubrication to increase the performance of all engine parts.

In addition to Mercury 25W and 50W oil designed for the Verado, there are also 10W and 30W oils which can be used in two cylinder outboard engines.

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Two Stroke Versus Four Stroke Engines

Two Stroke Versus Four Stroke Engines

When it comes to outboard motors, there are two essential categories: two stroke and four stroke. Both of these engine types have advantages and disadvantages, and the choice will depend on how you intend to use your outboard motor. For example, two stroke engines accelerate more quickly, and are faster. Two stroke engines are also often cheaper and tend to withhold their value during resale. Four stroke engines provide a smoother ride and are more economical. Because they move slower, four stroke engines are quieter and also cause less harm to the marine environment.

Four stroke engines are a bit newer in the market, and thus improvements are still being made frequently. Also remember with both kinds of outboard engines, you will need to special Evinrude oil, which is formulated for both two stroke and four stroke outboard motors.

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Powering a Golf Cart

Powering a Golf Cart

Golf carts, despite their residence on the golf course, can be used for a variety of other recreational and practical activities. With gasoline prices in question for the future, an electric golf cart can serve as a practical means of transportation over short distances. The carts can also be used for activities like frisbee golf, metal detection, or just riding around enjoying nature. Golf carts are available for purchase from specialty retailers, and in most cases, don’t require a license to drive. They’re also great for minors to learn essential driving skills.

Owning an electric golf cart is easy; just remember to plug it in after it’s been used. If you own a gas powered golf cart, treat it just like an automobile; fill the gas tank, check the two cycle oil level, and remember to keep the tires pumped up!

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