Two stroke Oil
 

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

opti's
 

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.

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.

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:

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.

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??

2 stroke oil, Whats that ? :laughs: :laughs: :laughs:

That's special oil that makes our boats go a little faster!

Try a 55 gal drum and sell some off.

HA HA RON !!!!!!!!!!!:laughs: :laughs: :laughs: :laughs:

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:

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

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!!

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.;)

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

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

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.

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!

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!!