The market for outboard motors is gradually filled with more advanced 4-stroke devices. However, the vast majority of watercraft are equipped with old-style equipment. 2-stroke engines do not lose their popularity. Maintaining it in good condition is the task of the owner of the engine.
In order for the equipment to operate for a long time and efficiently, you need to choose the right oil for a 2-stroke outboard motor . For obvious reasons, many fishermen and hunters want to reduce their costs. Therefore, they are looking for a replacement for licensed means from the motor manufacturer. How not to make a mistake in choosing, expert advice will help you figure it out.
Lubrication Features
The 2-stroke engine is most often used for inflatable boats that are used by fishermen or hunters. This system needs proper care. The cost of the engine is quite high. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out maintenance taking into account all the requirements of the manufacturer. This will significantly extend the life of the motor. For him, you need to use special tools. After all, the motor has a cooling system that uses not air, but water.
The 2-stroke engine has a simple device. It is quite compact, lightweight. Such equipment is rapidly gaining momentum and less demanding on fuel quality. A distinctive feature of such equipment is its lubrication with a mixture of oil and gasoline. When the engine is running, this composition burns inside the unit.
Requirements and standards
Engine oils for 2-stroke craft engines are marked TC- W3. This standard was developed by the US National Shipbuilders Association. It shows how well the product lubricates, protects engine parts and mechanisms.
Oils for outboard motors must fulfill a number of mandatory functions. They prevent friction between the moving elements of the mechanisms. This increases the life of the motor. In addition, the oils of this category can reduce the aggressive environmental effects (sea or fresh water) on engine elements. High-quality lubricants also remove heat from the moving parts of the system.
The main requirement put forward by the TC- W3 standard for lubricants for 2-stroke engines is the absence of metallanions in them. This ensures that the components of the mechanisms will not remain soot from a mixture of oil and gasoline.
Oil base
When examining which oil for a 2-stroke outboard engine is best to buy, the owner of the boat should first look at the operating instructions for this equipment. Manufacturers recommend certain types of lubricants that are fully consistent with the design features of the equipment. If you plan to fill another oil inside the engine, you should purchase products with an identical set of qualities, as well as use flushing for the unit.
There are two main types of oil for outboard motors. Their base is made from synthetic or mineral components. The first option is more fluid. It is more often used in new engines. Mineral varieties are cheaper. They are often used in old-style engines. Such formulations prevent leakage. Synthetic products easily seep through loose fit oil seals.
Additional components
In addition to the base, a certain number of additional elements are included in the oil for a 2-stroke outboard motor . Their main purpose is lubricating functions and the possibility of dissolving oil in gasoline. Most of these products contain polyisobutylene additives.
This substance is similar in essence to rubber. When it is burned in large quantities, carbon deposits remain on the inner surfaces of the chamber. Therefore, manufacturers create special formulas to keep the engine clean for a long time.
New technologies
Using the Suzuki, Mercury outboard motor, etc., the owner must choose the right tool. It must meet or exceed the requirements of the presented international standard. For this, manufacturers use special technologies to create their products.
Since additives are combined in various proportions, it is not possible to use another brand of oil in the motor. Before this, it is necessary to thoroughly flush the system with special means. But it is best to purchase funds from the same manufacturer of the same brand.
When the motor is running in water, it is required to create conditions for carrying out this process as efficiently as possible. The temperatures at which the lubricant mixture burns out are much less in outboard motors than in automobile ones. Therefore, some companies are developing additive systems that allow this process to be performed as efficiently as possible.
Life Extension
The outboard motor "Suzuki", "Yamaha", "Mercury" and many other popular devices are tested by the manufacturer in production conditions. In accordance with the design features of the equipment, lubricant formulations are developed that are most appropriate for the design of each outboard motor.
Large manufacturers of the presented equipment create special tools that are most suitable for the equipment manufactured by the company.
In addition to high-quality lubricating and anti-wear functions, such tools can significantly extend the life of the motor. They reduce the formation of corrosion and provide efficient burnup of lubricant components.
The evolution of oils
To choose the right oil for a 2-stroke outboard engine , you need to evaluate the equipment itself. It can be quite ancient or a new sample.
Previously, one type of oil was used for outboard motors. It was called the M-12-TP. Over time, imported varieties of the presented products began to be imported into the country. Their analogue of the domestic sample was the product MGD-14M.
However, as suggested by expert advice, today only TC- W3 certification can be considered a good oil for outboard engines . For engines of a new type, do not use other means.
In old engines it is perfectly acceptable to use old-type mineral oil, for example MS-20. But such experiments with new engines are not highly recommended. Modern synthetic products significantly exceed the requirements of the standards, therefore, are considered in this case the most preferred.
What to look for when choosing?
Choosing oil for outboard engines 2-stroke "Mercury" , "Yamaha" and other new varieties of equipment, you should pay attention to some features. As mentioned above, in this case, a synthetic lubricant is more suitable. She passed the appropriate certification, tested by manufacturers in special conditions.
In order not to make a mistake in the choice, you need to pay attention to the packaging. If it says “Synthetic” on it, most likely the jar contains a product similar in its properties to mineral varieties. It has improved performance. But such lubricants do not match the properties of this synthetic oil.
To purchase synthetic-based lubricants, select products that are labeled Full Synthetic. When using such products, the amount of exhaust is reduced, and the biodegradability of lubricants increases.
User reviews
Various sources provide user reviews of lubricants for boat engines. Negative reviews are found when using inappropriate means in new or old engines.
Lukoil oil for 2-stroke outboard motors of a new type was noted as one of the poor quality consumables. When the engine is running, carbon deposits are formed, which should not be observed when using a quality product.
For Yamaha engines and other manufacturers, the company of the same name developed a line of Yamalube products (cost - about 450-500 rubles / l). These funds, according to reviews, are quite high quality. The Motul brand is also known for its high quality (cost - from 700 rubles / l).
For Suzuki engines, Marine Ultimat oil (550-600 rub / l) is considered the best. Quicksilver company funds (850-900 rubles / l) will cost more. However, the cost of such funds is fully consistent with their quality.
Having considered how to choose oil for a 2-stroke outboard engine , each owner of the boat will be able to choose the best option. The engine will work long and reliably.