Using Yamaha lube, fuel additive, etc

[boaterbob]

I just bought a used pontoon boat to use in freshwater. It has a Yamaha 50hp 4 stroke OB. In reading the manual on-line, I see the 'suggestion' to use Yamalube oil, Ring Free Fuel Additive and Yamaha Fuel Conditioner and Stabilizer.

How important is it to use the Yamaha "recommended" products -vs- other brand products.?

What brand oil can I use (dino or synthetic) ?

Should I use the Ring Free Fuel additive when using 87 octane brand name gas with 10% ethanol.?

Can I use Sta-Bil Marine additive in lieu of Yamaha fuel stabilizer?


Thanks in advance
Bob

[robert graham]

I'd recommend using the Yamaha Ringfree at the "preventive dosage" and the Stabil all the time, and install a fuel/water separator type filter. You should be pretty much "home free" regarding fuel related problems. Good Luck!

[boaterbob]

Good suggestion re a fuel/water separator type filter. Yamaha makes spin-on cartridge filters as do many other sources. Do most OB users (50hp 4-stroke) use the replaceable cartridge or the type where you can drain the water to extend the cartridge? As I will use E10 this makes sense.

[robert graham]

I installed a Walmart/Attwood fuel/water separator($27) on my transom several years ago, easy 2 screw installation, works like a charm removing water, trash, debris, whatever. New cartridge is $8, but I use mine for a long time, just unscrew it, dump out the trash, screw it back on, good to go. You still have your motor-mounted filter screen as back-up, in case anything managed to slip past your big filter. Yamaha and Racor make some great filters, but they cost a good bit more, and for my purposes the Walmart unit works fine. I finally replaced my cartridge after about 3 years, and cut the old one open with a hacksaw, wasn't really much of anything in it. Looks just like a pleated paper oil filter element. Good Luck!

[boaterbob]

So, from the few comments, and from further google searches including the Yamaha Web site, it seems that any quality 4-stroke/water cooled OB oil will be acceptable:" Yamaha recommends Yamalube, of course, but if you simply cannot find it, choose oil that specifically displays the FC-W® rating logo."

Sta-Bil fuel additive should be as good as Yamaha's conditioner/stabilizer (and less expensive and easier to find in the store).

And Yamaha's Ring Free Fuel Additive is okay for 4-stroke engines but is primarily used for 2-stroke engines which have more carbon build-up. So, use it if I like, use it occasionally, or don't really need to use it - maybe option 2 is best 'use it occasionally'.

The suggestion to install a fuel/water separator is a good idea if the engine does not already have one (especially with E10 fuel) <<and going to E15 soon per Obama's edict>>. Yamaha says all newer engines are made to run on E10 but *NOT* anything higher!!

I was just interested in what long time Yamaha owners use in their OBs - do you stick with Yamaha brand products faithfully, or do you use any premium FC-W oil

[robert graham]

I used Yamalube for years with no problems but switched to Pennszoil 100% Synthetic Outboard Oil a few years ago, and it seems to smoke less, burn cleaner, less carbon. I tend to keep my motors for many years, so preventive maintenance is important to me. Good Luck!

[robert graham]

I used Yamalube for years with no problems but switched to Pennszoil 100% Synthetic Outboard Oil a few years ago, and it seems to smoke less, burn cleaner, less carbon, but more expensive. With the fuel additives, fuel/water separators and just good preventive maintenance, these motors run really well, and dependably! Good Luck!