Ficht Ram Oil

[lakerunner]

Open Question:<br /><br />Is anyone here running the new Ficht Ram Oil in an early model OMC outboard? Mine is a 1990 Johnson 120.<br /><br />It was recommended that I switch from TCWIII to the Ficht Ram Oil. The reasons being that it is a higher grade oil and has carb-X so at the least the engine would run cleaner and may pickup a little performance to boot. All replies welcome.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[jegervais]

Re: Ficht Ram Oil

I picked up a "mint condition" 1960 Johnson 10hp a while back. It only had a few hours on it when it was put in storage in 1961. It had a lot of dry rotted gaskets and stuff which had to be replaced, but it was spotless as far as carbon build-up was concerned - not only the powerhead, but the midsection too. Since I got it running I've been using the Ram Oil in it and its still spotless (try that with wally-world tcw-3). Since that old motor requires a 24:1 mix, I've found the Ram Oil is less harsh smelling and doesn't sting the eyes as bad. I'm gonna' stay with it for a while...<br /><br />-John

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Ficht Ram Oil

I started using Ram Oil in my '91 150 Johnson last year. When trolling, there is almost no smoke at all and no oily smelling fumes. The tops of the pistons and the plugs are almost clean after about 100 hours of use.

 

[lakerunner]

Re: Ficht Ram Oil

Seahorse5<br /><br />Are you still using the VRO system are have you disconnected it. I'm think about unhooking it.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Ficht Ram Oil

I had the original VRO until 2 years ago when I snapped off the fuel inlet fitting while changing out a hardened fuel hose. That mistake cost a few bucks but the pump was working fine. The new one is doing fine also. Most of the talk about VRO's is from the untrained folks who are not familiar with it, so they blame everything on the VRO.

 

[neptune202]

Re: Ficht Ram Oil

where does one find this Ram oil? I have a 140 HP V4 w/V6 lower unit (Evenrude).

 

[jegervais]

Re: Ficht Ram Oil

Pretty much any Evinrude/Johnson dealer either has it or can order it. To locate your nearest dealer go to www.evinrude.com/dealer2.htm and enter your search criteria.<br /><br />-John

 

[Franki]

Re: Ficht Ram Oil

Do all the older motors require more oil?<br />I thought it was ok to run then on more modern ratios because the oil is so much better quality then it was in the 60's or 70's or even the 80's for that matter..<br /><br />I have a 72 100hp Johnson, and I have been running it on 25:1, and it's smokey, smelly and clogs up plugs quick as a result..<br /><br />I was about to change to somewhere around 32:1 or 50:1 until I read the first post in this topic stating that the older motor required 24:1...<br /><br />using modern oil and modern fuel, shouldn't the ratio be closer to modern outboards? I'd probably never run 50:1, but what about 32:1 or 40:1??? is that a no-no for old outboards?<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />frank

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Ficht Ram Oil

Johnson and Evinrude have been designed as 50:1 oil motors since 1964, 38 years ago!

 

[Franki]

Re: Ficht Ram Oil

50:1? cool, Guess I'm gonna save some money on oil.<br /><br />How expensive is this stuff compared to normal tcwIII???<br /><br />Rgds<br /><br />Frank

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: Ficht Ram Oil

I have a 2000 Johnson 200 hp, and after a few fillings w/Evinrude oil thought I'd save money with cheaper Exxon oil through West Marine. Ugh. Took two weeks to really mess up my motor, and plug it up. Was told by several OB mechanics to use Evinrude, Mercury or Yamaha oil...all the others, while TCWIII, are not formulated for the cooler temperatures OBs typically run. I'm a believer now!

 

[lakerunner]

Re: Ficht Ram Oil

Thank You for the replies:<br /><br />Yes; the VRO is still connected anb working.<br />I just wish there was a gage or something besides the warning horn to let you know at a glance that it was working. Like the water pressure gage for the water pump.<br /><br />I think I'll run a couple of gallons of the ficht oil thur the engine and see how it likes it.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Ficht Ram Oil

what's the diff. between tcw & tcw-3 oil?

 

[jegervais]

Re: Ficht Ram Oil

TCW Stands for Two-Cycle Water-cooled. TCW-2 was the 2nd generation, TCW-3, the 3rd generation. The NMMA (National Marine Manufacturers Association) sets the minimum standard the oil must meet in order to "wear" the TCW-3 label. Although it is possible to find the older generations of oils, TCW-3 is all you'll find in the major outlets today - the prior oils are no longer made.<br /><br />-John