High-quality oils for two-stroke outboard motors can extend the life of the engine of the craft for a long time. The use of suitable lubricants does not give a chance for corrosion and allows the traction unit to operate at maximum speed.
Distribution companies strongly recommend the use of a specific oil for two-stroke outboard motors of a particular brand. It is only natural that the more expensive the engine, the more specific lubricant is required for its maintenance.
How to follow the above approach? Perhaps it makes sense to limit the use of standard engine oil? After all, the options offered by reputable manufacturers are much more expensive. Let's try to understand these issues.
Functions
The functions of any lubricant base include:
- reduced friction between the moving components of the engine system;
- prevention of premature wear of parts, the appearance of scoring;
- protection of mechanisms from environmental factors, in particular, the development of corrosion processes;
- efficient heat dissipation from contact parts.
Certification
Oils for two-stroke outboard motors must be marked TC-W3. The latter is protected by international patent law and confirms the high quality of lubricants. The bulk of the world's leading manufacturers of two-stroke engines - Yamaha, Suzuki, Tohatsu, Honda - indicate the need for oils, which have the specified certification.
The main requirement of the TC-W3 standard is the absence of additives containing metallic anions in the motor lubricant. In other words, the lubricant must be made using ashless additives.
The use of oils that have not been certified in accordance with the standard increases the likelihood of carbon deposits on the ignition elements of the two-stroke engine, leading to rapid wear of the piston group. Ultimately, a frivolous approach to servicing the engine causes it to finally jam.
Primary requirements
What oil for two-stroke
outboard motors to choose? The lubricant must meet the following requirements:
- Minimum ash indicator - when operating a two-stroke engine, the complete combustion of oil is welcomed.
- Ideal solubility in fuel.
- The presence of good lubricating, anti-corrosion, temperature qualities.
- High level of fluidity - the characteristic is important when using grease in engines with separate oil supply.
- Rapid decomposition into individual components when ingested.
Structure
Oils for two-stroke outboard motors are substances of medium viscosity. Here, the oil base directly occupies about 60% of the finished product. From 5 to 17% of the volume, depending on the manufacturer, is the so-called vacuum residue, which is the result of the primary distillation of petroleum products. The specified component gives the oil excellent lubricating properties due to increased plasticity.
About 20% of the final product volume is occupied by solvents, which play the role of activators that help the lubricant mix better with fuel. The remaining substances are additives that are used to reduce the smoke effect of used oil.
Mineral lubrication or synthetics?
It’s worth starting with the fact that the lubricating bases for two-stroke outboard engines are synthetic and mineral. Due to the low cost, most owners of motorized boats are inclined to the latter option.
How rational is it to use mineral lubricants instead of “synthetics” for servicing two-stroke engines? It is usually best to use oils recommended by the engine manufacturer. Pouring synthetic bases into the engines of the old model, it is often necessary to deal with regular leaks, since such a lubricant has a high level of fluidity. And exactly the opposite - in models of outboard engines designed with synthetic oils in mind , mineral substrates often behave very badly.
In order to save money, an alternative solution in the form of semi-synthetic lubricant can be used for servicing two-stroke engines. The latter is a mixture of mineral water and synthetics. It is natural that the quality of such oils is average. However, the savings will be quite decent.
Motul oil for two-stroke outboard motors
Lubricants of the reputable brand Motul are in high demand among owners of boats with two-stroke engines. What are the benefits of using this lubricant?
The specified engine oil for two-stroke outboard motors burns out entirely in the engine. As a result of its application, no waste components are formed, which can lead to clogging of the oil grid, accumulating on its surface.
Suitable oil for a two-stroke Yamaha outboard motor, other high-performance brands of engines, the operation of which is subject to increased requirements.
The lubricant performs its tasks on the basis of the principle of mixing. Oil enters the combustion chamber in a mixed fuel. This solution seems to be the most rational for servicing two-stroke engines, since the latter implements a combined fuel mixing system.
Finally
When the owner of the boat faces a difficult choice of engine oil for two-stroke outboard engines, it is rational to consult with more experienced owners who have experience in the long-term operation of a similar engine.
Often, the trial and error method becomes the rational way to choose the best lubricant for servicing the outboard motor. This is the only way to appreciate every oil and choose an effective solution for an existing engine.