Can't find 2 cycle oil - what do I do?

[aspeck]

My job has me currently based in Ghana, West Africa and I am living right on the Coast. Okay, so being away from home isn't all bad. But the problem is I can't find 2 cycle oil for my engine. The local fisherman all mix 5W-50W engine oil with their gas and tell me it works fine. I am afraid to do this, it goes against everything I have been told. Any advice?

 

[JB]

Re: Can't find 2 cycle oil - what do I do?

What make and model engine do you want to fuel, Aspeck?

 

[aspeck]

Re: Can't find 2 cycle oil - what do I do?

Right now I need if for a 40hp Mariner and a couple of weed eaters! I know, you can't do much fishing with a weed eater, but the sure save the time over the machetes and give more time for the tuna and red snapper!

 

[BillP]

Re: Can't find 2 cycle oil - what do I do?

In the early days before "outboard" oil all motors used standard 30w auto oil. It worked fine and I suppose it would do ok on modern motors too. I doubt you will see the engine self destruct from using the 5-50. Auto oil doesn't stay suspended in the fuel like boat oil so you have to shake the tank before each outing (if manually mixing).

 

[rterrian]

Re: Can't find 2 cycle oil - what do I do?

Motor oil will work but it will foul spark plug quicker. So get some extra plugs. You should be allright as far as lubracation.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Can't find 2 cycle oil - what do I do?

I could be mistaken, but I believe the base oil for O/B's is 40w. Does anyone know for sure? Agree that you need to keep shaking the tank to keep it mixed.

 

[Jud Hamblett]

Re: Can't find 2 cycle oil - what do I do?

How about checking out the specs on two stroke<br />motorcycle oil...that's going to be better than mixing up any 4 stroke stuff. Are you in Ada? <br />Always wanted to run a boat on the Volta but was worried about the schisto in the river. Used to camp there a lot though. You also might try a trip over to Lome .....bet those Frenchies over on the lake near Lome could tell you. There is a nice little club at the foot of the Lake. Jud

 

[aspeck]

Re: Can't find 2 cycle oil - what do I do?

I thought the viscosity should be about 40W, but wondered if the 5W-50W was because of the hotter climate.<br /><br />Jud, I am in Prampram, about 40 minutes west of Ada, 20 minutes east of Tema. Have not made it to Ada, but heard it is nice and there is a captain that has a sailfishing charter business there with an almost 100% catch rate. Don't know if that is true, but I want to meet him sometime - never seem to get away from work!<br /><br />As for the 2 stroke motorcycle oil, the filling stations all say the motor bikes use the same as the motorboats - regular engine oil!

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: Can't find 2 cycle oil - what do I do?

my great grandfather ran straight 30 weight - despite the fact that there WERE outboard oils as far back as the 20's (ive seen the ads!) he ran it a little heavier, and would wire brush the plugs every few months (he clammed and fished year round, in sea isle NJ, tough old buzzard)<br /><br />one wierd thing ... he fixed everything that went wrong, I remember a hose taped, wrapped in copper wire - this took about an hour, then he taped the wire, the hose didnt leak at all ... he was METICULOUS - but he dumped a quart of oil all over the engine ... "keeps the salt off it boy!" and wiped away the puddles - he never got towed in, but he would row around when fishing<br /><br />he also did a neat thing with one oar off the back of the boat, he had an oar lock on the transom, and would use it like a fish tail to move the boat<br /><br />dead quiet ... "keep still boy, youll scare the fish"<br /><br />anyway, I guess the modern oils are good enough to use in newer motors, tho I would get TC oil shipped in if possible, new motors have tighter clearances and run hotter than those old sludge pots<br /><br />personally, I would run it heavier, worked for the old man, should work for you!

 

[BillP]

Re: Can't find 2 cycle oil - what do I do?

40W 2 stroke ob oil used to say "Pre-deluted to 20W" on the cans. I have no idea what that meant but it may have been another way to say multi grade.

 

[Crazy]

Re: Can't find 2 cycle oil - what do I do?

I would see about getting some oil shipped to you , But my father in law has an old chain saw and all he uses is Trans fluid and the thing has been running for 35 years , I have snowmobiles and if you get into a tight spot and no 2 stroke oil is around ... you can limp it home on 10W30 . I have an old chain saw to and right on the gas tank it says to mix with 30W auto oil .

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Can't find 2 cycle oil - what do I do?

The newer OMC manuals don't give any information on this, but was just looking through an old one [1972] and it stated: "In an emergency, use SAE30 marked service ML-MM or SA-SB, or service MM or SB. Avoid multi-viscosity oils such as 10w-30". I guess it's up to you to decide how much of an emergency you have. Good luck.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Can't find 2 cycle oil - what do I do?

Aspeck<br />When I was a kid Dad used straight 30 non detergent at 24 to one. Never ever shook the tank either. Tank was mounted on top of that 5 HP motor. Motor on a 18 foot home made wood boat and it ran good but on a strong EBB tide did not alway go foward until got very close to shore in shallow water. Motor mounted in a hole in boat about 2 feet foward of the transom, for reverse turned motor around backwards. Had lever on motor for throttle and no gear shift.<br />Never had any trouble until one year dad forgot to drain the gas for winter and it turned into a jelly. Could not even blow lines out with a air compressor. Had to use a wire or get new line.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Can't find 2 cycle oil - what do I do?

Jack, Glad you found that in a manual. That makes me breath a little easier.<br /><br />Still hard to go against everything you have heard and been taught, but the more research I have done, seems the TC tests are for the flash point of the oil and the amount of detergent in it. If the flash point is too high, then too much oil coats the cylinder walls and you get carbon and sludge build up and stuck rings. If it is too low, then too much burns and there is not enough lubrication. Too much detergent, and you get too much ash, or grey soot, build up - that isn't good either. But, in the smaller, higher reving engines there is enough vibration to keep dislodging the soot and carbon.<br /><br />So, the critical thing is the flash point of the oil and the internal operating temp of the engine. Now, I guess I have to try to determine that or just take my chances. Fortunately labor is cheap here, it is only parts that are hard to come by!<br /><br />Boatist, would have loved to see that old skiff! Sounds like a real jem!

 

[BillP]

Re: Can't find 2 cycle oil - what do I do?

aspeck, I think you have hit the nail on the head about the oil differences. Auto engines run at 180-200+F and outboards at approx 140F. The reason they run cold is to prevent mineral buildup (salt crystalizes around 140F) in the cooling water passages. Regular decarbonizing should help cut combustion chamber buildup and mitigate the problem. Running full throttle will help keep it clean too. Hotter sparkplugs may help if you experience fouling.