4 stroke oil in 2 stroke Johnson 150 oil tank

[gody]

I bought a boat recently with a 2 stroke Johnson 150 Hp outboard, after going on ski trip in the boat I decided to buy it from a work friend. When I got it home I discovered that the previous owner had been running on 4 stroke Valvoline Outboard Oil in the oil tank, he even gave me two extra bottles, so he wasn't trying to hide the fact.

I went to the Evinrude dealer and he told me that was wrong and I should change it over to two stroke oil imediately.

I questioned the guy I bought it off and he said he has run at least 2 -3 Gallons of the 4 stroke oil ithrough it and the previous owner to him, did the same. (Oil is Valvaline Outboard 4 Stroke 10W - 40 Semi Synthetic Marine Oil NMMA FC-W)

Ive been in the boat and the engine starts first time every time, runs smooth and sounds good too, no noises.

Has anybody heard of this before?

What should I do?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[5150abf]

Re: 4 stroke oil in 2 stroke Johnson 150 oil tank

2 stroke oil is obviously different with different additive and such, sort of a bone head thing on the other guys part.

Just start running the correct oil as soon as possible, you are probly okay, 4 stroke oil is better than no oil.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 4 stroke oil in 2 stroke Johnson 150 oil tank

You need to get the 4 stroke oil out of the tank ASAP. I'd even purge the oil lines and refill with the correct 2 stroke TCW-3 oil. Years ago, back in the early 50's no one made a 2 stroke marine oil, so regular car (4 stroke) oil was recommended-however, it was to be used at twice the oiling ratio as today's system recommends- 24 to one. Short term use of this oil is probably not fatal, though in your case, long term use can cause problems, like carbon buildup around the ringsets, on the piston crowns and on the piston skirts.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 4 stroke oil in 2 stroke Johnson 150 oil tank

We used to use regular 20/50 multigrade in our 2 strokes back in England in the 1970's. Only issue we had was that it separated with time. Consequently we had to shake our motorcycles to remix it after sitting for a while.
With an OMS system you are most likely just fine. Yes some of the additives were not there but the lubrication was.
Drain and purge the system, re-fill with the correct 2 stroke oil and do a decarb to clear out any excess carbon build up from having the wrong oil.
See top secret files for decarb info.

 

[gody]

Re: 4 stroke oil in 2 stroke Johnson 150 oil tank

Thanks for all the replies.

I have inspected the bore of each cylinder via the spark plug hole, checked all the spark plugs, attached is the worst one. No visable scoring or damage to the cylinder walls or the inlet and exhaust ports.

The next step I will do is change the oil out, then the Decarb and take it for a run this weekend.

Fingers crossed all will be well.

Gody

 

[gody]

Re: 4 stroke oil in 2 stroke Johnson 150 oil tank

Greetings,

I could only source a can of Quicksilver Power Tune locally, should I use it in the same way as Seafoam or follow manufacturers recommendations?

Gody

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 4 stroke oil in 2 stroke Johnson 150 oil tank

No need to panic with the seafoam and all that jazz. Just change over the fuel in the tank and you'll be fine. No worries.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 4 stroke oil in 2 stroke Johnson 150 oil tank

No need to panic with the seafoam and all that jazz. Just change over the fuel in the tank and you'll be fine. No worries.

Actually "All that Jazz" may save you from a stuck ring and a rebuild. Should be part of regular maintenance of a 2 stroke motor.

Gody, any decarb stuff will do the trick. Did you read the "top secret file" yet ??

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 4 stroke oil in 2 stroke Johnson 150 oil tank

Well, I've ran outboards for years successfully and some of the worst looking ones, without ever using it. I think once he gets correct oil in the mix, things will be fine. Has anyone done a compression check to see if SeaFoam is needed?

 

[recce43]

Re: 4 stroke oil in 2 stroke Johnson 150 oil tank

im new to boating ... so what is seafoam and what does it do

 

[Vic.S]

Re: 4 stroke oil in 2 stroke Johnson 150 oil tank

The product referred to is a fuel additive.
It can also be used to do a decarb.

It seems very popular with folk on here.

http://www.seafoamsales.com/products.html

 

[pmillar]

Re: 4 stroke oil in 2 stroke Johnson 150 oil tank

seafoam has plenty of devotees in the motorcycle world as well... primarily as a FI cleaner / decarb.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 4 stroke oil in 2 stroke Johnson 150 oil tank

The thing that's being missed here is that two stroke oil is designed to be burned after it has done it's job of lubricating. Four stroke oil is not. Remove the plugs and inspect the top of each piston. If it has a coating of carbon, do a decarb -- the process is discussed at great length all over this forum.

 

[gody]

Re: 4 stroke oil in 2 stroke Johnson 150 oil tank

Thanks again everybody, your opinions are well received.

I will be doing the decarb as a precautionary matter, I'm just wanting to know if I use the Quicksilver Power Tune in the same manner as the Sea Foam or just follow the instructions on the can?

Again thanks to all those that provided an opinion and advice.

Gody

 

[Texasmark]

Re: 4 stroke oil in 2 stroke Johnson 150 oil tank

I see a lot of "well I use xyz and it does this". Well I use nothing and it works fine.

Well, I have been ignorant a lot of my life (focused on other things, or whatever it was happened to be irrelevant to me at the time) and as time passes I come upon things. I read the scientific stuff and make a decision to try or not to try. Other thing is that just because someone says it doesn't work for them doesn't mean it won't work for me.

To each his/her own and it's your stuff and your money.

Personally, I have done well using things that I have not used previously and will continue to use what works. I have remarked numerous times about fuel additives. They have proven themselves to this redneck disbeliever. Additionally, I use supplements to keep my body functioning and they work very well for me too.....not all of them, but you pick and choose. I have knees, back and both hands functioning today like new thanks to supplements. I still see an MD every 5 years or so. Just recently saw mine and only thing I needed was BP medicine and it is working fine. Again, to each his/her own.

My 2c as usual.

Mark

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 4 stroke oil in 2 stroke Johnson 150 oil tank

The Power Tune Is good product. Use as directed on the can. It works as well, if not better than Seafoam (Deep Creep is the spray version of Seafoam).