Two stroke Oil - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

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.

Van · 05-13-2004, 09:18 AM

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.

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 ?

Team Rock On · 05-13-2004, 07:44 PM

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

MTC · 05-13-2004, 08:12 PM

Try a 55 gal drum and sell some off.

Van · 05-14-2004, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Team Rock On
That's special oil that makes our boats go a little faster!

HA HA RON !!!!!!!!!!!

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"

Raider Ronnie · 05-14-2004, 08:07 PM

Quote:

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"

WELL SAID !!!

Van,
Stop scaring all the fish away with that LOUD 2 stroke you have!!!

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!!