Can 2 cycle oil go bad?

[prdevoe]

I have an older Lund with a 1996 Johnson 60 hp 2 cycle outboard. It has the VRO2 oil injection system which mixes the oil and gas inline. The engine seems to give off a lot of smoke when running. I was wondering if the oil in the oil reservoir could have gone bad? The oil has been in the reservoir for at least 10 years and has never been replaced. The question I have are: 1)if the oil could be bad and should be replaced and 2)if the oil age could be causing the excessive engine smoke?

Thanks for any advice anyone can give,
Phil DeVoe

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Can 2 cycle oil go bad?

I have an older Lund with a 1996 Johnson 60 hp 2 cycle outboard. It has the VRO2 oil injection system which mixes the oil and gas inline. The engine seems to give off a lot of smoke when running. I was wondering if the oil in the oil reservoir could have gone bad? The oil has been in the reservoir for at least 10 years and has never been replaced. The question I have are: 1)if the oil could be bad and should be replaced and 2)if the oil age could be causing the excessive engine smoke?

The oils is not likely to be bad, but it is a good idea to change it out.
The excessive smoke may be from oil that has leaked through the VRO system while it was sitting for so many years. It will likely clear up once run for a while.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Can 2 cycle oil go bad?

The manufacturers DO claim 2-cycle oil has a shelf life. I've never kept any that long so i couldn't say from first hand experience.

However, my experience with oil injected motors has been less than stellar. Possibly your oil injection pump is not working right.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Can 2 cycle oil go bad?

Oils do have a shelf life, dump it and fill it with new oil.

Smoke (over oiling) can be caused by air leaks in the fuel line.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Can 2 cycle oil go bad?

The ?VRO? pump has rubber seals and diaphragms. At 15 years of age, it's long overdue for replacement. It also could be a problem in the recirculation circuit.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Can 2 cycle oil go bad?

Not to start yet another oil war, but can anyone provide links to real manufacturer's sites stating the shelf life of 2 cycle oil? The FAQ at evinrude.com seems to indicate otherwise:
http://www.evinrude.com/en-US/Owners-Center/FAQ/OilAndFuel#qst6

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Can 2 cycle oil go bad?

Fom old oil threads (wars) here, people from the industry say its about 4 years. The base oils probably last a very long time, its the additive package that could break down and change over time. I've seen 20 year old 2 stroke oil look good (looks don't mean much though) and I have seen newer oil gel in the container, so to say there is one set time for a 2 stroke oil can't be done, but age isn't good for most things.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Can 2 cycle oil go bad?

How often is this boat run that it hasn't needed oil in 10 years, I don't know how long it takes to burn through a tank but you would think it would be around 20 hours, somthing doesn't seem right here.

I know I have gone through at least a gallon this year.

 

[prdevoe]

Re: Can 2 cycle oil go bad?

Well, it was my father's boat which I inherited a few years ago after he passed away after a 3+ year battle with cancer. I have spent the last 2+ years fixing it up. I had to replaced the flooring in it due to neglect and then spent one summer working on issues with the engine. This oil question is just a continuation of the effort to bring it back to a better state of operability. The oil reservoir in it is 1.8 gallons and I have run it down around half way using it for the occassional muskie fishing trip.

 

[ncnjeremy]

Re: Can 2 cycle oil go bad?

2 cycle oil can sit on the shelf for years. If unopened it is fine. Once its in your tank for a long period of time.... yes replace it. It is possible that is causing smoke but most likely it will clear up. But, still change it. Better safe......

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Can 2 cycle oil go bad?

Check the rubber gasoline lines and fittings for air leaks. Suck out most of the oil in the resevoir(from the bottom), but not all, or you will need to bleed the oil line. Refill with fresh oil. Run the motor and see if the excessive smoke clears up.

Examine the old oil. Check it for water and sludge. If you can filter out any sludge and remove the water, and it looks good, you might reuse it.