TCW-3 Versus Dirt bike oil in outboard

[Frank Acampora]

I caught my friend dumping dirt bike 2 cycle oil in his 115 horsepower outboard gas tank. Knowing that dirt bikes run hotter and the oil is formulated differently, I advised him against it, but being a rather stubborn fellow he went ahead with it.--After all, "Says on the label it meets TC requierments." --Yeah, but TC is not TCW-3.

Never having experience with this, I was wondering what the short term consequences and long term consequences might be. Short term being 12 gallons and 1 quart oil, long term being continued usage. --Anyone have any firsthand knowledge or actual experience?

 

[steelespike]

Re: TCW-3 Versus Dirt bike oil in outboard

No personal experience but I wouldn't run plain (TCW) as a routine procedure
don't know when TCW3 became available but motors to that point ran fine.
Probably fouled plugs a little more easily and perhaps needed a decarb more often.The ancients ran motors on parafyn laced straight weight sae oils for years and some very hard I personally know of some of these still running on their original inards.As far as all aircooled 2 strokes My Citgo TCW3 container says to be used on all 2 stroke motors from string trimmers to outboards.
All of my many after market service manuals recommend outboard 2 stroke oil as a preference to 30 weight sae in all air cooled outboards listed.My 89 manual mentions TCW rated oils.I assume TCW3 arrived after that point.

 

[gss036]

Re: TCW-3 Versus Dirt bike oil in outboard

I think it came about in about 94-95. I know my engine manual for my Husky chain saw says not to use TCW3 for it. I know I burnt up the power head on it and they only thing I can put to blame is me because I think I was using TCW3 oil to mix the gas, I also ran it awful hard for about 3 hours on 30 inch fresh cut alder logs and it had a 20 inch bar. No more, I now buy Stihl Synthetic for the saw.
I always ran injector motor cycle oil in my dirt bikes.

 

[jimmbo]

Re: TCW-3 Versus Dirt bike oil in outboard

The TC-W oils first came out in the mid 60s. In 1964 most outboard maufacturers switched fro 24: to 50:1 as the spec for the gas/oil. (Racing engines ran 16:1 or 20:1). You will always hear people point out the 'in the old days we just used cheap 30 weight and everything was just fine'.
Quoted from a 1964 90hp Evinrude owners manual;
"We recommend using a reputable outboard motor oil or a regular SAE 30 grade automotive engine oil. Do not use low price third grade (ML light duty) oils or multiple viscosity oils such as SAE 10W-30".

Well, in the old days the little ol outboard was a lightly stressed engine that usually wasn't a high compression engine, ran at relatively low temps, and used a lot of fuel. In the 60s the makers of outboards started making these engine more powerful, upping the compression, reducing the amount of oil in the gas, leaning out the air/fuel mix. Combustion temps went up and new types of soot were forming in the exhaust. This newer soot or carbon, was harder than previous types and caused lots of stuck rings. After numerous warranty claims that showed poor oil performance most outboard maker brought their own oils, with better detergents to market and the BIA(Boating Industries Association) established the TC-W standard. In 1986 the TC-WII was introduced, and in the mid 90s TC-W3 became the standard. The Direct Injection engines ie; OMC Ficht, and Mercury Optimax. Have raised the hard soot to a new level and therefore require oils that exceed TC-W3 spec.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: TCW-3 Versus Dirt bike oil in outboard

Never having experience with this, I was wondering what the short term consequences and long term consequences might be.

Very good answer JIMMBO!

Short term, other than more smoke, none! Long term, Large amount of unburned residual oil, fouled plugs, Carbon buildup, coked rings, a blown engine and poluted water!

 

[F_R]

Re: TCW-3 Versus Dirt bike oil in outboard

Here is some good reading:
http://www.sea-doo.net/techarticles/oil/oil.htm