April, 2009 | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 2

Fuel/Oil Mix Ratio in Small Engines

Fuel/Oil Mix Ratio in Small Engines

Smaller two cycle engines often use a mixture of standard fuel and two cycle oil, and the ratio tends to be different based on the engine. The standard ratio for most small engines is 32:1, or 32 parts fuel to 1 part two cycle oil. However, this ratio won’t work for all small engines and in fact, using the incorrect ratio can cause the spark plugs to foul (become saturated with gasoline). Replacing the spark plugs is no big deal, but it can be a pain if it needs to be done all the time. There’s a much decreased chance that the spark plugs will foul if the correct fuel to two cycle oil mixture is being used. While mixing the fuel and 2 cycle oil can seem like a pain, a small engine that is run only on gasoline won’t make it through a full tank before seizing, which can cause serious damage.

Lawnmowers, leaf blowers, and weed whackers are some of the most common smaller two cycle engines. These engines can all run on the standard 32:1 fuel to two cycle oil mixture, but some specific brands have different needs. It’s best to check the manual for the ideal fuel mixture before refueling a small engine. This will save money and ultimately preserve the life of the engine.

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Bassmasters Prefer Mercury Engines

Bassmasters Prefer Mercury Engines

Recently, Mercury Marine congratulated Skeet Reese for winning the 39th annual Bassmaster Classic. Reese was named the 2007 Bassmaster Angler of the Year, but believes that winning the Bassmaster Classic was his greatest accomplishment. Reese attributes much of his success to his Mercury OptiMax 250 Pro XS engine, which combined with Mercury engine oil, performed flawlessly throughout the event. In a direct statement, Reese said “My engine is everything-it’s one of the tools we can’t fish without. The abuse my Mercury took this week-like hitting stumps and sucking up mud from the river bottom-proved just how tough it was”. Reese noted that the largest fish come out of the muddy water, and that it’s important to have an engine that can endure those conditions. But with his Mercury OptiMax, Reese had no trouble maneuvering through the water and taking the tournament.

In addition to Reese, two of the other most prominent fisherman in the tournament use the Mercury OptiMax 250 Pro XS engines combined with the finest mercury engine oil. For all serious bass fishermen, Mercury engines are the ones to rely on to perform in poor conditions and through a lot of abuse.

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Yamaha Develops New Synthetic Oil

Yamaha Develops New Synthetic Oil

In their continued efforts to provide their customers with the highest quality vehicles, engines, parts, components, and fluids, Yamaha recently developed a new line of synthetic oil. The new Yamalube oil is a full synthetic designed for high performance in snowmobiles. The 0W-40 oil features high grade lubricants and provides unrivaled lubricity, helping the engine to function at peak performance. The new oil bonds with metal engine components to create a shield against wear and also resist thermal breakdown under high heat conditions in snowmobiles. This new Yamalube oil is just one of many innovations from Yamaha, a company known for bold new thinking.

The Yamaha Parts and Accessories Group, where the new Yamalube oil was developed, worked closely with the Yamaha Factory Snocross Team to develop the new synthetic oil. Sub-zero temperatures combined with professional snowmobilers make for extreme engine conditions, and the Yamaha Factory Snocross Team only uses Yamalube oil in their snowmobiles.

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Reasons for Fouled Spark Plugs

Reasons for Fouled Spark Plugs

One of the most common issues with two cycle outboard motors occurs when the spark plugs become saturated with gasoline, and foul out. When it seems like no amount of replacement plugs can fix the issue, it might be due to a number of factors. Most often fouled spark plugs are noticed when the engine starts fine, runs fine for a while, but then bogs down, starts to lose RPM, and dies. If this occurs a number of times after the spark plugs have been replaced, the engine is flooding with gasoline.

The most common cause of this issue can be attributed to incorrect spark plugs, so be sure to check that the right spark plugs are being used first. The other issue could be an incorrect gasoline/two cycle outboard oil mixture. More serious issues are also plausible, for example, the choke or cold start enrichment circuit could be failing to switch on and off. If the engine requires actual maintenance, it can become expensive fast. When purchasing a two cycle outboard engine, it’s important to check customer reviews and even consult other boaters first. Two cycle outboards from brands like Yamaha, Mercury, and Evinrude have proven track records of success, while other brands might not enjoy much in terms of industry respect.

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Dangers of Oil Pollution

Dangers of Oil Pollution

Whether it’s mineral based or synthetic, oil is used as a lubricant in almost all engines. But oil is capable of causing significant damage to the environment. In fact, even a few drops of oil can contaminate enough water to supply the average person for an entire year. It’s most important for boat owners to be extra careful with their outboard motors and marine engines. When even a little bit of oil escapes into the water, it becomes a danger for humans and the environment. Marine creatures are quite sensitive to oil, and should even a small amount of boat motor oil escape into the water, it can be fatal to various organisms that live near the surface.

Boat owners need to check their outboard motors or marine engines on a regular basis for leaks, and also ensure that the proper safety precautions are being observed. In addition to the impact on the environment, an oil leak can result in quite a hefty fine for the boat owner, even if the leak was unbeknownst. Ensuring boat motor oil is secure saves the environment and can save a lot of money.

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Award Winning Mercury Engines

Award Winning Mercury Engines

Mercury, renowned as one of the premier manufacturers of outboard engines and marine products, recently received the 2008 “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Two-Stroke Outboard Engines” award from J.D. Power and Associates. The engine that garnered the award, the Mercury OptiMax, has also won the same award for the last two years. Mercury engines have won countless awards, and while Mercury endeavors to maintain a high level of customer satisfaction, most of their awards come from innovation. Mercury engines like the Verado have received dozens of awards, not just for the engine itself, but several of the parts within it. With the highest in customer satisfaction and innovation, purchasing a Mercury outboard is never a bad idea.

Mercury also manufactures a number of marine products including Mercury oil for use in their two-stroke and four-stroke engines. This Mercury oil contains special additives that allow Mercury engines to make full use of their innovations and increase performance on the water. Regardless of what you purchase, you won’t be dissatisfied with Mercury Marine!

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Features of Yamalube 2SS Motor Oil

Features of Yamalube 2SS Motor Oil

Yamalube 2S motor oil is one of the most trusted two stroke oils amongst amateurs, professionals, and sportsmen, and with good reason. Yamalube 2S oil has been formulated to provide several benefits that the standard mineral oil does not. Yamalube 2S oil reduces engine smoke and carbon and varnish deposits, and also provides excellent lubrication.

The semi-synthetic formula used in Yamalube 2S oil reduces visible smoke up to 50%, which also reduces the impact an engine using Yamalube 2S oil has on the environment. In addition, because of special synthetic additives, carbon and varnish deposits that build up over time are reduced by over 45%, preserving the condition and performance of the engine. Yamalube 2S oil is also renowned for its superior lubrication at all temperatures. The oil contains additives that regulate temperature allowing the engine to operate in extreme heat and cold conditions. Yamalube 2S oil is the universal oil preferred in most all two stroke engines.

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The Purpose of Marine Engine Oil

The Purpose of Marine Engine Oil

While most all boat owners recognize that oil serves some purpose and must be changed now and then or pre-mixed into the gasoline, some don’t know what oil does inside the actual marine engine. The oil’s job is to stop all the metal surfaces in the engine from grinding together and becoming damaged from friction. Most people recognize that oil serves as a lubricant, but oil also needs to hold in suspension the byproducts of combustion like silica and acid. Oil cleans the engine of these chemicals, because otherwise build-ups would occur and wear down the engine at a remarkable pace.

Oil needs to lubricate and clean the engine under tremendous conditions of heat and pressure. Several engine oils, like outboard motor oil, contain special additives that help the engine work better under specific conditions. For example, outboard motor oil contains an additive to reduce condensation in the engine. For this reason, it’s important to use premium outboard motor oil in outboard engines.

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The Best Bass Lures

The Best Bass Lures

Let’s face it, when it comes to lures, almost all bass fishermen have a different opinion on what works best. But amongst several bass fishermen, the buzz frog is regarded as one of the best lures for a multitude of circumstances. Buzz frogs are imitation frogs with a solid body and a pair of extending rear legs. Bass just can’t resist the temptation of a buzz frog that creates a lot of noise and commotion in the water with its swimming legs. The bass have an instinct to strike the moving frog, and it’s appealing to that natural instinct that makes this lure one of the best. Buzz frogs are also excellent lures regardless of the weather conditions; whether it’s sunny, overcast, or a downpour, bass love to strike at this lure.

No bass fisherman would be caught without their trusty boat, and all bass fishermen know that Yamaha makes the best outboard motors for smaller craft. The professionals also recommend keeping a supply of outboard oil, gasoline, and repair tools on the boat at all times. No one wants to be caught stranded in the middle of a lake!

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Evinrude’s E-TEC Engines

Evinrude's E-TEC Engines

While there are several reliable brands of outboard engines, without a doubt, the Evinrude E-TEC engines have drawn some of the highest marks from both critics and outboard owners. E-TEC engines represent the pinnacle of two-stroke engine technology, with more efficient engines that have low environmental impact. Evinrude is constantly innovating to improve the quality of their outboard engines. Several E-TEC models have won awards for their performance and for their clean burning technology that is the future of two-stroke engines. With two-stroke engines having an integral role in developing countries, having engines that burn cleaner will promote pollution awareness.

In addition to their E-TEC engines, Evinrude is the premier provider of all kinds of marine accessories including Evinrude oil, which is designed to work in tandem with the E-TEC engine to burn cleaner. Future E-TEC engines might even play a central role in the developing nations throughout the world as humanity progresses into the 21st century.

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