Basic questions

[LeonForrister]

Hello. First thanks for looking. I own my first Yamaha outboard. It is a 1998 200 Pro.

1) What is the consensus on only using Yamalube oil only? I have heard that some motors only are good if you use it. I do not know what is in it now.

[boscoe99]

Good luck on getting a consensus on such a controversial subject as the brand of oil to use.

Many, many, many use Yamalube with great success. On the other hand, some, a few, don't have great success. In some engines, a few, not all, Yamalube smokes and fouls spark plugs. In those motors the cure has been found to be the use of a 100% synthetic oil. Specifically, Pennzoil.

If you want to use Yamalube, are willing to pay the price premium, and the motor works just fine with it, that will be a good decision.

If you don't want to use Yamalube, I suspect that the motor will be just fine running on any other brand of TC-W3 rated two stroke oil. That will be a good decision.

Unfortunately, I am old enough to remember the days when we did not have manufacturer branded oils. We did not have marine rated oils. For the time and technology, the motors ran just fine. It is certainly more complicated and contentious today. Seems that no two folks can agree on anything. And both are quick to contend that their view, and their view only, is the correct one. Seems there is no middle ground today. On anything.

[pstephens46]

I expect there would be less contention if people were speaking rather than typing.

[99yam40]

I do not know about that, typing allows them to think about what they are saying a little longer instead of just spewing stuff out of their mouth

[panasonic]

Never understood why anybody would buy manufacturer branded two stroke oil. I know many, many people with two stoke outboards, mostly commercial fishermen, and I can honestly say that I do not know of one that uses Yamalube or any of the other branded oils. They simply go to the local gas station and buy the generic two stroke oil (outboard, snowmobile, chainsaw, ect) and use that. In fact most dont even have access to the so called factory oils as dealerships are few and far between...

[LeonForrister]

Good luck on getting a consensus on such a controversial subject as the brand of oil to use.

Many, many, many use Yamalube with great success. On the other hand, some, a few, don't have great success. In some engines, a few, not all, Yamalube smokes and fouls spark plugs. In those motors the cure has been found to be the use of a 100% synthetic oil. Specifically, Pennzoil.

If you want to use Yamalube, are willing to pay the price premium, and the motor works just fine with it, that will be a good decision.

If you don't want to use Yamalube, I suspect that the motor will be just fine running on any other brand of TC-W3 rated two stroke oil. That will be a good decision.

Unfortunately, I am old enough to remember the days when we did not have manufacturer branded oils. We did not have marine rated oils. For the time and technology, the motors ran just fine. It is certainly more complicated and contentious today. Seems that no two folks can agree on anything. And both are quick to contend that their view, and their view only, is the correct one. Seems there is no middle ground today. On anything.

Thanks! Yamaha lube is hard to get where I am.

[oldmako69]

Never understood why anybody would buy manufacturer branded two stroke oil. I know many, many people with two stoke outboards, mostly commercial fishermen, and I can honestly say that I do not know of one that uses Yamalube or any of the other branded oils. They simply go to the local gas station and buy the generic two stroke oil (outboard, snowmobile, chainsaw, ect) and use that. In fact most dont even have access to the so called factory oils as dealerships are few and far between...

In my 2 stroke days I bought the cheapest TCW II oil I could find. Of course, I was burning it in a 25 year old, million hour 85hp OMC. Since I was already running on free time, I didn't really care.

But here's a quiz, besides the label, what is the difference between air-cooled and water-cooled 2-cycle oil?

[boscoe99]

Air cooled engines typically run much, much hotter than liquid cooled engines. I suspect that is the reason for the difference in two stroke oils.

My air cooled chain saw motor smokes like hell (not talking about stuff out the exhaust) after I run the hell out of it on a 100 degree day. My two stroke outboard motor on the other hand doesn't run hot at all.

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Air cooled engines typically run much, much hotter than liquid cooled engines. I suspect that is the reason for the difference in two stroke oils.

My air cooled chain saw motor smokes like hell (not talking about stuff out the exhaust) after I run the hell out of it on a 100 degree day. My two stroke outboard motor on the other hand doesn't run hot at all.

Yesterday, I just cut down a large tree with my Poulan 14" chain saw (next to where the sea-wall failed)

I use Homelite brand, premium, synthetic two stroke oil (for air cooled engines).

I ran the snot out of that older machine and I did not have ANY visible SMOKE.
It'll sit there and idle all day or run WOT till out of fuel..

That's at a 32:1 mix, regular ethanol, Gas Shok (stabilizer) and RingFree in the mix..

You might want to try the synthetic..



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