a persons opinion about 4stroke motors

[RedRustler]

"I have a Mariner/Merc (yamaha block)50hp 4S bought new in 1996. Has carbs, runs fine and sips fuel. I like the fuel burn but don't like changing oil & filter, adjusting valves, worrying about a timing belt, heavy weight and all the extra parts in the valve train that tend to corrode. There is a universal problem with 4 strokes "making oil", which means water gets in the crankcase. I'm not having that issue on mine but it is a well documented problem. For my next new motor purchase I will be going back to 2 strokes...an ETec. 2 strokes are less hassle."<br /><br />This was posted on the addictive fishing Forum. Does anyone have an opinion about this guys opinion? or experienced this problem?<br />this makes me kinda nervous with my new 40 hp yammi 4stroke being delivered next week

 

[rodbolt]

Re: a persons opinion about 4stroke motors

I like them all they all break<br /> I did see the E-tec infomercial. what a used car sales job.

 

[JRJ]

Re: a persons opinion about 4stroke motors

Yes 4-strokes need maintenance, but they sure are a pleasure out on the water Enjoy your new 40

 

[JB]

Re: a persons opinion about 4stroke motors

"Universal" mean it happens to all of them. Didn't happen to either of mine.<br /><br />I loved my 4 strokes and didn't find routine preventive maintenance a hassle at all. . . gave me something to do in the spring.<br /><br />My next engine? If I have a choice and there is one suitable on the market it will be a 4 stroke.<br /><br />Haven't tried out an ETEC, so I have no comment about them.<br /><br />4Stroke bashing and 2stroke bashing are popular sports among those who have no respect for others' priorities.

 

[RedRustler]

Re: a persons opinion about 4stroke motors

thanks guys i cant wait to get it it should be here no later than friday.

 

[BillP]

Re: a persons opinion about 4stroke motors

RedRustler,<br />That was me...and I gave my opinion. Maybe you won't agree after running one for 9 yrs like I have. I didn't mention (but will now)that my 4S is on a pontoon boat that hangs over the water in a boat lift. It is a royal PIA to access the engine to even check the oil, much less change it. I have to pull the boat out on a trailer to adjust valves. Speaking of valves...I spent an unexpected 2+ mos in the hospital and my 4S valve springs starting rusting as seen though the fill cap with a flashlight. This doesn't happen with 2 strokes.<br /><br />Let me clarify something...my post wasn't meant as a bash and has NOTHING to do with disrespecting other people's priorities. Use whatever word you want to for "universal" but I meant as seeing the problem of "making oil" everywhere...not brand or geographic area specific. Most ob motor web sites post messages about "making oil". It is covered in the FAQ here. I look for water in the oil everytime I use the 4S. Anyone who has a 4 stroke should be aware of this. <br /><br />Enjoy your motor.

 

[RedRustler]

Re: a persons opinion about 4stroke motors

your opinion is fine with me. i wasnt saying that your were bashing the motors or anything like that atleast i hope i wasnt.<br /><br />it is just that this is my first brand new motor ever and i am a little nervous about it and about it being a 4stroke.<br /><br />your are right about checking for water in the oil every time with four strokes heck we used to get water in the crankcases of our atv's <br /><br />All i was trying to ask when i posted was does this sound like a problem that happens all of the time or not so often. maybe i just asked the question the wrong way but i didnt meen any harm by it. <br /><br />I also love 2strokes that is all i have ever owned. and i beleave that the bashing between the 2 and 4 is just like the bashing between chevy and ford every one has there preference's.

 

[bigbrownbuku]

Re: a persons opinion about 4stroke motors

"horses for courses" billp, sounds like you need something to suit your application.<br />hope everything went ok at the hospital.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: a persons opinion about 4stroke motors

billp<br /> MDR makes a crankcase stor-n-start that will help prevent the springs from rusting. so far valve springs have not been an issue but it kills a many a volvo and mercruiser. I see broken springs all the time due to rust. seems the rust becomes a crack then a stress failure point. usually caused by sitting.<br /> but all I do is fix them. I never get to see them otherwise . I like them all cause Maytag dont build them

 

[BillP]

Re: a persons opinion about 4stroke motors

Had I known the hospital trip was coming I would have fogged the motor...unfortunately you don't think about these things in the middle of the night while doing a 911 ride to the hospital. The motor was a few months old had less than 100 hrs so it wasn't "seasoned" with any protective film yet. I figure that had something to do with the springs rusting. The rust was only visible as color, not scale. To help the situation I upped the oil viscosity to max recommended by the mfg. Normally the motor gets run every 2 weeks and I don't worry. <br /><br />One thing I noticed when looking at the valves while the engine runs...very sparse lube at idle speeds. It doesn't lube the whole assembly until rpms are increased another couple hundred. Therefore, I run it up a tad in neutral when flushing and shutting down to make sure all parts get protection. I never and still don't worry about a 2-6 month storage with my 2 strokes (4). Corrosion is personally a big deal to me because I rotate use between them.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: a persons opinion about 4stroke motors

and that is why I reccomend treating the fuel and the crankcase with every tank and oil change. never know when something crops up and the boat gets neglected for a bit. crankcase and fuel store n start is cheap when compared to repairs.

 

[mallardjusted]

Re: a persons opinion about 4stroke motors

rodbolt,<br /><br />I looked up some info on the fuel store n start, and it looks like it can be used year round???<br /><br />For the crankcase store n start, is that something that can be left in until normal oil change time, or does it have to be changed out when you start using the motor again?

 

[rodbolt]

Re: a persons opinion about 4stroke motors

both can be used year round.<br /> I always reccomend it especially with normaly low use boats anyway. may save some problems later on. may not but at least its not expensive.

 

[BillP]

Re: a persons opinion about 4stroke motors

Hey rodbolt,<br />Is that stuff a solvent or something else?

 

[rodbolt]

Re: a persons opinion about 4stroke motors

no.<br /> the fuel stabilizer aids in keeping the fuel from going bad so quick and the crankcase stuff helps coat all the shiny parts inside the engine, valve springs and such.

 

[Billnicole]

Re: a persons opinion about 4stroke motors

Rodbolt whats wrong with Maytag?

 

[Ray Neudecker]

Re: a persons opinion about 4stroke motors

You don't remember the commercials where the service man had nothing to do.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: a persons opinion about 4stroke motors

according to Maytag they never break and work a million years, some may even serve breakfast. so far maytag has not gotten into the boating industry .

 

[seahorse5]

Re: a persons opinion about 4stroke motors

Unfortunately, Maytag has "cheapened" up parts inside their washers. A customer is in appliance repair and we compare stories a lot. A very common problem in the regular Maytag series is the stripping of a plastic drive gear for the agitator if you run partial loads most of the time. <br /><br />He mentions how folks give him "hell" when he charges them for replacing a broken gear after only a couple years use of the washer. These are the same folks who went 10 years or longer without any Maytag breakdowns, in the past.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: a persons opinion about 4stroke motors

gotta love chinese plastic. best get used to it I guess.<br /> I wonder how many fon du lac plant workers have been laid off to support chinese workers ?