Does a 4 Cycle outboard need a Oil Filter?

[Boatist]

It seams some 4 Stroke motor have OIL Filters and some do not.<br />So what do you think, are they necessary??

 

[tosj]

Re: Does a 4 Cycle outboard need a Oil Filter?

Howdy,<br /><br />Do you drive your car without oilfilter? Nope!<br />What happens if you neglect to change oilfilter? You have a engine that will have a short life, the oil have to be filtered in a 4-stroke. My opinion: USE OILFILTER! <br /><br />/Illis

 

[JB]

Re: Does a 4 Cycle outboard need a Oil Filter?

Some small 4 stroke outboards, most yard equipment 4 strokes, and many other small 4 strokes don't have oil filters. <br /><br />Hard to use one if it was designed not to use one.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[tosj]

Re: Does a 4 Cycle outboard need a Oil Filter?

Hi,<br /><br />Of course, I agree with you on that! <br /><br />I wouldn't buy a 4-stroke without oilfilter.<br /><br />/Illis

 

[Forktail]

Re: Does a 4 Cycle outboard need a Oil Filter?

Which ones don't have filters? I don't recall any bigger 4-stroke outboards without oil filters. <br /><br />Some smaller 4-strokes don't have a traditional "spin-on" oil filter. They have a filter integrated into the dipstick or fill tube. It can usually be cleaned and reused, or replaced. You might be overlooking this.<br /><br />The really little guys like the 5-6 hp and under might not have one because it really doesn't make practicle sense.<br /><br />There are many small 4-stroke products that don't have oil filters. I've got 4-stroke lawnmowers, snowblowers, generators, and trash pumps that don't have them. Just the drain.<br /><br />Consider this....what about a 2-stroke? Its crankcase sucks in the same dirty air, dirty fuel, and probably has more engine wear due to more metal to metal bearing contact (non-pressurized lubrication). It never gets rinsed and flushed with oil. The contaminates are only aspirated out. IMO, a non-filtered 4-stroke is cleaner cleaner than a 2-stroke.

 

[ob]

Re: Does a 4 Cycle outboard need a Oil Filter?

On non-filtered four strokes it is advisable to conduct periodic frequent oil changes as oil condition warrants.Bare in mind that its oil circuit, including splash lubrcation, transmits oil directly to bearing surfaces unlike two strokes that rely on atomization contact.

 

[ICEMAN]

Re: Does a 4 Cycle outboard need a Oil Filter?

4 stroke motors with an oil filter have an oil pump that pressurizes oil thru passages in the motor. Motors without oil pumps, do not use oil filters because the oil wouldn't pass thru them. These motors usually use a splash method to send oil to the various areas. Basically there is a oil slinger connected to the connecting rod. It dips into the oil in the sump and then slings the oil around the crankcase area. As mentioned by Forktail about some lawnmower engines, I don't think anything is put into a more dirty situation than a mower cutting thru a barren area and raising a massive dirt cloud. The mowere has an air filter to help protect against that, but it still runs for years without an oil filter, And possibly a long time between oil changes.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Does a 4 Cycle outboard need a Oil Filter?

The reason I ask the question is at first boat show I went to this year was looking at a 15 HP 4 stroke Johnson/Suzuki motor. I did not see a oil filter so I ask the dealer about it and he could not find it either. It may have one, I do not know. This motor has a single overhead cam and 2 valves per cylinder and I would guess with over head valves you would have a oil pump not a splash system. Has a 7 amp alternator but does it have a voltage regulator. The old 15 HP 4 stroke OMC built motor had a Spin on oil filter 6/12 amp alternator with voltage regulators and S.L.O.W. protection for low oil or over heat. Could also get system check warning system. This type info I like to see in writng as if it not in writing you can ask 5 different dealers and get 4 different answers.<br /><br /> I did get the catalog and have looked thru it. Not much info in the catalog on any of the 4 stroke motors. I tend to buy a motor by looking at all the spec and controls. Thing I want to know is what types of protections it has, but I see nothing. Any place to find out what protections Johnson/Suzuki/Bombardier motor have. Do they shut down for low oil, over temp, over rev. Also if it has a oil filter. Most of the bigger 4 strokes motor have a 40 amp alternator but do not say if have a voltage regualtor. With that much current must have but I would sure like to see them say it somewhere. Any body know which Bombardier 4 strokes have oil filters, regulators,and what proctections??