Cheap oil causing poor performance

[Fronterra]

Re: Cheap oil causing poor performance

This year I have had basically the same situation, and with 2 different motors, a 1984 6hp & a 1992 9.9hp Johnson & with different tanks & using NON-ETHANOL gas. Both are used as a "get there motor" but also 90% for trolling. The oil I was using was semi-synthetic sold by a national major marine store & purchased 8 years ago, using the ratio of 75-1.

After 3 full days of fishing the plugs fouled out badly on both. Previously on these same motors, using Penzoil TWC-3 standard type oil at a ratio of 50-1, I could get at least double the run time before having to change plugs.

Also the 6hp was decarbed before using it this year.

In doing some research, for semi-synthetic oils even though they are listed as TWC-3, no manufacturer gives the ratio of percentage of regular/synthetic oil mix for the blend, so it could be anywhere from 10% to possibly 70%.

So,I have to agree with the original poster, there is a distinct possibility of the mixed oil effecting a motor's running.

I am going to change plugs, get some better oil and try again. Thanks for the info.

 

[Fronterra]

Re: Cheap oil causing poor performance

The problem may not be in your Jerrycan....irt may be an accumulation in your in-boat tanks.

From another thread:


I've had this problem a few times....water gradually builds up in the bottom of your tank until it reaches the fuel pickup.

Easy to check and rule out...or check and fix.

Checked the fuel already and I did not see any water intrusion so I am pretty safe to rule that one out. Thanks for the response

 

[coolbri70]

Re: Cheap oil causing poor performance

fresh set of plugs might help, they can foul pretty quick in a 2 stroke, the oil in the fuel is needed to lube the piston rings, but it's hard on spark plugs

 

[GeneH]

Re: Cheap oil causing poor performance

If you change both the plugs and the oil at the same time, you won't know which one was the cause of your problem if it seems fixed. Of course it may be that neither is the cause or it may be that the new plugs will degrade after several tanks of fuel. There are a lot of variables. I would sort of doubt the oil is the problem but it could be.

 

[JB]

Re: Cheap oil causing poor performance

I used nothing but SuperTech for about 20 years. Never had an oil related problem. I am dead certain that your problem is not using that oil if you are using it correctly.

The reason SuperTech is less expensive than other premium brands is that Walmart does not have the overhead, advertising and merchandizing costs of other brands made by the same refineries in the same way.

 

[Outsider]

Re: Cheap oil causing poor performance

Start using Yamalube, your engines wouldn't dare run rough ... :facepalm:

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Cheap oil causing poor performance

AND---In an older thread, results were posted that showed Super Tech tested higher in some components than some of the "name" brands amd while not ranked the highest, it was (as I remember) well above many other brands.

Like JB, I have been using Wal-Mart brand for many years and have had no problems. Since oil is a commodity and is burned, I always buy the cheapest I can find, just like gasoline.

I really doubt that the oil is causing your problems--if you are mixing correctly.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Cheap oil causing poor performance

Are both motors new to you? Your opening sentence makes it sound like they are. If so, my bet is that the carbs were gummed up, but working. Running fuel through them loosened up the gunk and now it is in the jets...

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Cheap oil causing poor performance

+ 5 on super tech, been using it for 20 plus years

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: Cheap oil causing poor performance

. " The common denominator is........"

....the fact that both engines are +\_ 25 years old and who knows where they've been.

Bet'cha neither has a functioning thermostat. A too cold engine is kinda hard on plugs.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Cheap oil causing poor performance

Are both motors new to you? Your opening sentence makes it sound like they are. If so, my bet is that the carbs were gummed up, but working. Running fuel through them loosened up the gunk and now it is in the jets...

Exactly what I would guess too. They just could be in need of a good carb cleaning........ possible point cleaning.....thermostats..... hows the impellars while we are at it?

Old fuel tanks react to the new ethanol gas and you may have knocked allot of crap loose in the tanks too.....

 

[Fronterra]

Re: Cheap oil causing poor performance

Are both motors new to you? Your opening sentence makes it sound like they are. If so, my bet is that the carbs were gummed up, but working. Running fuel through them loosened up the gunk and now it is in the jets...

Yes both engines were new to me. I bought my boat (October 2012) with the 25 hp engine then switched to a 9.9 to accomondate the lakes in my area.

 

[Fronterra]

Re: Cheap oil causing poor performance

Exactly what I would guess too. They just could be in need of a good carb cleaning........ possible point cleaning.....thermostats..... hows the impellars while we are at it?

Old fuel tanks react to the new ethanol gas and you may have knocked allot of crap loose in the tanks too.....

Fuel tanks are brand new. I am going to do a full check up on my 9.9 during the winter (carb, impeller, thermostat, etc). The previous owner of the 9.9 told me the engine was serviced about 3 months ago but I am beginning to wonder.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Cheap oil causing poor performance

Fuel tanks are brand new.

Portable boat fuel tanks sold in the USA since 01/01/12 must be the EPA-mandated "self-venting" design instead of the previous version with a screw-type vent in the cap. Another forum member reported running issues with his older motor when using the new tank. Good luck!

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: Cheap oil causing poor performance

.......another "common denominator " here in the Tidewater area is the drastic air and water temperature decreases in the last month.

Compare the water and air temperatures from your previous runs to the temperatures at the times the engines are acting up.

As previously mentioned, check your thermostats, spark strength, plug condition, fuel filters (don't forget the screen in the fuel pump inlet), interior of fuel lines and cleanliness of the fuel.

By any chance are you shaking the fuel tanks to mix the oil or travel typical Virginia back roads? If so, you are probably degrading the fuel by suspending contaminates. Additionally, excessive oil content will degrade the octane rating of your fuel.

The point of the venting with the newer style fuel tanks is valid and worth investigating.

 

[Fronterra]

Re: Cheap oil causing poor performance

Portable boat fuel tanks sold in the USA since 01/01/12 must be the EPA-mandated "self-venting" design instead of the previous version with a screw-type vent in the cap. Another forum member reported running issues with his older motor when using the new tank. Good luck!

When I had the 25 hp I had an older screw type vent and with the 9.9 I have a new tank that has the vacuum valve in the tank so manual venting is not required.

 

[Fronterra]

Re: Cheap oil causing poor performance

.......another "common denominator " here in the Tidewater area is the drastic air and water temperature decreases in the last month.

Compare the water and air temperatures from your previous runs to the temperatures at the times the engines are acting up.

As previously mentioned, check your thermostats, spark strength, plug condition, fuel filters (don't forget the screen in the fuel pump inlet), interior of fuel lines and cleanliness of the fuel.

By any chance are you shaking the fuel tanks to mix the oil or travel typical Virginia back roads? If so, you are probably degrading the fuel by suspending contaminates. Additionally, excessive oil content will degrade the octane rating of your fuel.

The point of the venting with the newer style fuel tanks is valid and worth investigating.

Not shaking fuel tanks but I do go some back roads to get to the lake, and when I was going to the Nottoway I was driving county roads. As for the fuel tank, my 25 hp had an older screw type tank as the 9.9 has a newer tank

 

[roscoe]

Re: Cheap oil causing poor performance

Lets see, both motors were acting up, acting crazy. What does that mean?

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Cheap oil causing poor performance

Yesterday I was doing some research on tractor transmission/hydraulic fluid and OEM specs. I had a couple of 5 gallon pails around the shop (Meets JD J20 A and B) and was going to put some into my '07 tractor. In short, today I am going to town and buy the current spec oil (JD J20C), which my owners manual says to use or you could have problems, which is listed as the premium oil and even has an orange dye to tell you what it is. It has to do with the additives.

In the searching I came across a Warren Oil Co. that had a huge distribution network across the USA. The do custom marketing for customers and WW may be one of their customers. They even have a container manufacturing facility where they can make your 5 gallon tubs in the color of choice and quart, 4-5qt., and 2 1/2 gallon in any shape you want with custom labels.

Only question is, are their products bulk and distributed in custom containers with identical additives, or do they have the base stocks and add things at the customer's request to meet some specific specification. I don't know. Going to assume the latter for economic reasons......only have to stock a few types of base and just add what you need to suit the customer specs.

There are a couple of major fuel distributors around the Dallas area and you see them at different badged stations. Have been told that they come with an additive package to suit the fuel and brand. Makes sense unless one brand is better or worse than another is just a myth. Maybe Warren does the same thing.

Soooooo with that said, does WW, Merc., and Pennzoil have the same product?. I run Premium Plus Oil from either Merc or Pennzoil that I buy at WW. I have never run their TCW-3 but use their diesel oil in my older tractors with no problems and use other petroleum products they sell. The oil is syn blend and runs fine; plugs run fine and smoking is very little. I pre mix now at 50:1. For 10 years my engine mixed it itself at 80:1 at idle graduating up to 50:1 at WOT.

My 2c,
Mark

 

[djrascoe]

Re: Cheap oil causing poor performance

I use the super tech in ALL my 2 stroke engines (weed eater, chain saw, even my H.O. snowmobile engines) Ive never had a problem due to the oil. I saw it stated a few times in the thread about the water in the gas. Have you looked into the socks that you put in your gas can that depletes moisture? With plastic tanks, its alot bigger problem then most people realize, and i know that you said you checked for water, but that sounds to me like problem might be moisture related.