October, 2010 | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 2

What Does Motor Oil Do? Part Three

One of the functions we don’t usually associate with marine engine oil is cooling. In most vehicles, the antifreeze concoction in the cooling system only does about 60% of the work when it comes to cooling the engine. Not only does oil cool the engine as it pulses through the system, it also controls the temperature by reducing friction.

Many of the grooves and spaces in-between the fittings on the engine leave microscopic openings in the system where pressure normally would be able to escape. However, the oil works its way into these gaps and creates a seal, effectively improving the engine’s efficiency. Additives in the oil now help reduce foam, allowing the oil to function to its full capabilities.

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What Does Motor Oil Do? Part Two

Not only does Evinrude outboard oil provide lubrication to the engine, it also reduces friction between the parts. It’s important to find a medium with the viscosity of the oil you use; if it’s too thick, the engine will have to work harder and you’ll lose power and efficiency. The lubrication and friction reduction produced by the oil helps to prevent rust and corrosion throughout the engine. In addition, premium oil will eliminate carbon deposits and prevent sludge buildup.

When sludge forms in the engine, it prohibits the flow of oil, compounding the damage. Part of the sludge is formed when oil reaches the hottest parts of the engine and burns—at least until recently that is. New additives have made oil burn cleaner, helping to reduce buildup in the system.

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What Does Motor Oil Do? Part One

Premium oils available today, such as Evinrude XD50 oil, do much more than simply lubricate your engine. It may not seem worth it to spend a few extra bucks to upgrade to high-grade oil, but your investment will pay huge dividends. First, quality oil facilitates easy starting for your vehicle. But in order for an oil to permit easy starting, you need to be sure that the viscosity is appropriate for the given weather conditions.

The chief purpose of oil—as we all know—is to lubricate the various components of the engine and prevent wear and corrosion. Traditionally, it’s been a challenge to develop oils that can perform in a range of climates and conditions. But thanks to the innovation of synthetics and additives, top oils are now graded for a spectrum of temperatures.

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How to Change Your ATV Oil: Part Four

Now that the oil filter has been changed and all of the used oil is out, the only thing left to do is put in the new Mercury engine oil. Remove the oil cap and place the funnel into the fill hole. Pour your oil into the funnel slowly to prevent any drips or spills. (Always consult your owner’s manual to see your manufacturer’s specifications for oil.)

Once you’ve poured the oil in, turn on the engine and let it run for a few minutes. While the ATV is running, check around the machine for leaks before turning it off and waiting for a few minutes while it cools. Insert the dipstick into the fill hole and make sure that the oil is up to the full mark. Screw the cap back into place, reattach the panels and you’re done.

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How to Change Your ATV Oil: Part Three

After you’ve found the oil filter and oil cap, it’s time to locate the drain plug. It will be positioned on the underside of the vehicle, so you’ll have to get a little dirty. Once you find the plug, place your oil pan directly underneath it. Open the drain plug and allow all of the used oil to run out.

Use your wrench to remove the oil filter while you are waiting for the oil to drain. Scrub off any gunk or oil on the mounting surface. Add some lubricant to the gasket of the new filter and screw it into place by hand. Secure the filter with a couple of turns from your wrench, but be careful not to over tighten it. By now the Yamamlube 2S oil should be finished draining, so put the plug back into place and discard the used oil properly.

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How to Change Your ATV Oil: Part Two

Before you remove the first panel and start digging around in your machine, be sure that you’ve gathered all of the necessary supplies close by. Move the ATV to a spacious area with level ground where you’ll be able to work comfortably. Fire up the machine and let it run for a few minutes. This will heat up the oil and disturb any deposits that may have settled at the bottom, allowing them to be removed with the old Yamalube 2W oil.

Once you’ve run the engine for a few minutes, remove any panels that may be obstructing your access to the filter and oil cap. The dipstick will be connected with the filter, which you can use to check you oil levels periodically. Now that you know where the new oil needs to go, tomorrow we’ll go over how to get the old oil out.

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How to Change Your ATV Oil: Part One

Like all vehicles, you need to change the oil in your ATV periodically to keep the engine running smoothly and prevent buildup. Since you will have to be dealing with the oil filter anyways, this is usually a good time to see if it needs to be replaced too. Before you begin, be sure that you have all of the necessary supplies with you. Here is a quick list of what to have at hand before you get started:

~Yamaha 2M or another leading oil
~Gloves
~Drain pan
~Funnel
~Extra oil filter
~Wrench
~Other necessary tools (varies by machine)
~Towels

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Yamaha History

With roots tracing back to the late 19th century, Yamaha has become one of the world’s leading manufacturers in a wide range of industries. Torakusu Yamaha, the eponymic entrepreneur, began his career as a watchmaker before taking over as the president of Nippon Gakki Co., which eventually become the Yamaha Corporation. The name has become so entrenched in society that many people forget that the company has only had the Yamaha name since the 100th anniversary in 1987.

Originally, Yamaha started out selling piano and reed organs. Although the company has since branched out into a variety of other industries—from motorcycles to Yamalube 2M—musical instrument manufacturing continues to be the foundation of the company. Currently, Yamaha is the world’s leading manufacturer of instruments and had recognized over $4.5 billion in revenue as of March 2009.

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Boat Engine Maintenance 101: Emissions

Emissions wreak havoc on the environment and pose a serious threat to those onboard your vessel. Luckily, you can work to minimize your emissions through a few simple maintenance procedures. The main hazard from your engine is carbon monoxide, which is difficult to detect because it is invisible and odorless. If you have water leaking out of the exhaust system, you can be sure that exhaust fumes are escaping as well.

In order to reduce your emissions, first look to the intercooler. Here, the air is cooled before it enters the engine, and although this is an integral component of the system, it is often overlooked. You’ll want to check these intercoolers regularly and be conscious of any water escaping from the exhaust system. If this is the case, you’ll probably want to take the craft to a professional. Also keep in mind that engines with premium oil, such as Evinrude XD 100, will run cleaner as well.

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