View Full Version : Two stroke Oil
angler management 05-13-2004, 08:11 AM I have a Merc Optimax, 175, and I just got more oil for the boat.
I got the name brand Merc stuff that says specific for Optimax.
It was EXPENSIVE! Just over $20 / Gal
Do you use the name brand specific stuff? or is Generic just as good?
Would I save a lot, or is it not worth the risk of poor product for the cost savings.
Kind of a trivial cost over all I guess, just was a shock never have bought so much at one time. I guess it will be worse when I fill the 85 Gal gas tank at $2./gal
Team Rock On 05-13-2004, 08:31 AM I've been told that the opti oil is a little thinner than the regular oil. Not sure if it's true but I've also used the regular merc oil on recommendation from a dealer (they didn't have the opti oil so may have has an agenda). I figure why take a chance so I use the opti. Try to find a source that will sell you a 5 gal. case (2- 2.5 gal. containers). I pay about $80 for these.
I agree with TRO.
With the huge investment in an outboard. I won't cheap out on the oil. Its a drop in the bucket compared to the $ for the engine and the fuel. It sure is gonna hurt at the fuel dock this year !!!
I got my ficht oil during a sale and with a rebate. I got 10 gallons for 140 $. Right now the $/1 gal container is around $22.
Rip Runner 05-13-2004, 09:26 AM I made the switch to Amzoil, I'm still paying $20.00 a gallon, but now I'm running synthenic. I found it to burn cleaner and I feel better knowing that I have synthenic in case I have an oil pump failure. It's also a-lot thinner like the opti-max oil.
Mr. Sandman 05-13-2004, 02:04 PM Van is right. Use the rec oil no matter the cost. Wait for it to go on sale and buy 2 years worth.
I heard a guy in the tackle shop talking about this and he said this past winter there was a sale in west marine (I think) and he had some discount card on top of that and end up buying 10 cases..anyway he said his final cost was 9 bucks per gallon. For merc optimax oil. But he did this in Feb.
Ficht oil is about the same $/gal. I used it and my engine still blew.:confused:
angler management 05-13-2004, 03:43 PM Good Advice all of it, Thanks Guys.
Deep down I know, it's not worth scrimping. It was just that sticker shock getting so much at once.
I think I will definately watch for sales next winter now that I know how much I will need.
I came close to running the tank dry this past weekend. (it was not full to start)
That will never happen again.
Vectorfisher 05-13-2004, 07:18 PM Ask around at the boat yards they often have refill programs. I know Eagle marine does this and as soon as I get a dozen or so containers I will be saving a few bucks on oil. Although 12 gallons would probably last quite a long time the way this motor uses oil, I still can't get over it, my 25 hp Johnson used more oil! Sandman you got any of that oil laying around you want to part with??
Raider Ronnie 05-13-2004, 07:38 PM 2 stroke oil, Whats that ? :laughs: :laughs: :laughs:
Team Rock On 05-13-2004, 07:44 PM That's special oil that makes our boats go a little faster!
Try a 55 gal drum and sell some off.
Originally posted by Team Rock On
That's special oil that makes our boats go a little faster!
HA HA RON !!!!!!!!!!!:laughs: :laughs: :laughs: :laughs:
angler management 05-14-2004, 07:48 AM Looking back,
(just got the boat last fall,, late fall)
I should have gone 4 stroke,, Then I would not be bitching.
Well, I guess I still would, but it would be when I made the payments on it.
Plus it would have been quieter!
I could hear the fish laughing at me,,
"Dumb ass you missed us":smash:
Raider Ronnie 05-14-2004, 08:07 PM Originally posted by angler management
Looking back,
(just got the boat last fall,, late fall)
I should have gone 4 stroke,, Then I would not be bitching.
Well, I guess I still would, but it would be when I made the payments on it.
Plus it would have been quieter!
I could hear the fish laughing at me,,
"Dumb ass you missed us":smash:
WELL SAID !!!
Van,
Stop scaring all the fish away with that LOUD 2 stroke you have!!!:laughs: :laughs: :laughs:
thefishingfreak 05-15-2004, 09:23 AM i've been using texaco havoline two stroke oil from boat us,,,or,,, west marine brand two stroke oil.
they go for arround 18 bucks for 2 1/2 gallon containers..
my boats oil tanks hold 8 gallons. so yamalube is out of the question at 20 bucks a gallon..
$160.00 per fill up or,$50.00??
hmmmmm,,
might smoke a little more on startup but other than that it's all tcw3 approved so that works for me. heck i think there's only two or three real "manufactures" of two stroke oil.
400 hrs. on the cheap stuff so far without one hint of a problem.
heck if it blows up, just gives me a reason to re-power w/ 4 strokes:)
'cause you can't finance oil
macojoe 05-15-2004, 08:23 PM When using this name brand stuff do you guys still have to run carbon gaurd??
I have a older Yamaha and use Penzoil TCW3, but then I add carbon gaurd every other tank. And that stuff is not to cheap eaither.
So If I switched to a better oil do I have to still use it??
I have been thinking of switching oils but not sure? I some times see the Mercury oil on sale and was wondering how it would work in a Yamaha?? Yamaha Lube never goes on sale!!
Vectorfisher 05-15-2004, 08:28 PM Maco I dont know about the Yammie oil but they say that if I run the Ficht oil XD 50 or the new XD 100 I dont need to use carbon guard but you know my motor will be 11-13 k to replace and I just as soon take every precaution so I use the carbon guard and good oil.;)
thefishingfreak 05-15-2004, 08:52 PM yamaha recomends "ring free" to be added to the fuel.
as well as "yamalube" two stroke oil only.{got warranty? void w/out}
my grady holds 306 gallons of fuel, and 8 gallons of oil, and it loves every drop i put in there!
"ring free" for the fuel would add another 50 bucks, to each fill up. NOT!
i just de-carb 'em every 50 hrs or so, to clean 'em out, and use "lots" of fresh fuel, and clean tcw3 oil.
15 years old and still purr like a kitten,,,,
whell lets say,,, two VERY large kittens,,, with attitudes.
mike
macojoe 05-16-2004, 07:55 AM I have a older 175 hp Yamaha and there is no warr left!!
I only carry 65 gal gas and 3 gal oil.
I never did a decarb?? Maybe I should. I have only had this motor for 1 1/2 seasons and it had nice compression when I got it. 121 to 125 on all cylinders.
I have been outting carnon cuard evry other tank or so, so i am sure its fine.
I guess if it an't broke don't fix it!!
Thanks
Duke41 05-16-2004, 10:31 AM I have been using the cheapest crap oil I can find. Usually at Benny's. Never had a probem with the engines. 2 Mercs. Don't buy the hype.
Vectorfisher 05-16-2004, 10:51 AM Duke that may be true for the older outboards but I wouldnt be doing that with an Opti,Ficht, or HPDI motor. This attitude may just be the reason why we see so many low hour motors blown up!
macojoe 05-16-2004, 03:01 PM Well If i had a new motor I would use what they say to use!! But my motor is 15 years old and I try to use something in between.
But just like in mytruck, I do a oil change every 3000 miles and belive it is the single best thing you can do for the motor!! I have a 170,000 on my truck and runs like a top!
So the oil in the 2 stroke is the best thing you can do for it!! So I try to do my best!!
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