Evinrude manual says no “premium” oil??

[LargemouthBass21]

Found some wc-3 oil for pretty cheap at Walmart it’s made by Evinrude, there is partial synthetic and something called premium. Supposedly they are for older motor technologies according to Evinrude but in the manual it says to use regular.... can I safely use this oil? I know the semi synthetic should be better
the choices are semi synthetic or just premium marine oil... same brand about 30¢ different in price...
will either of these work?

 

[jimmbo]

How old is your engine and thus the manual? IIt is pre 1964. TC-W oils didn't exist for a few more yrs and the best oils they could insist upon was a Non-detergent motor oil. Oils that had detergents in them were often call 'Premium'
Returning to the Present, Use a TC-W3 oil mixed at 1/2 pint(8 ounces) per gallon of gas. that's a 16:1 ratio. That engine manual is from the 50s
Some will say you can run 24:1 with todays oil, I say stick with 16:1, you will enjoy mosquito free boating as a bonus

 

[LargemouthBass21]

My model no is 3420 Evinrude Yachtwin 3hp. The synthetic would be a better choice then right? Both the oils I mentioned were tc-w3 so I’m good there. I just wanted to make sure it wouldn’t wreck my engine. What is the harm of using detergents, don’t all oils now have them. I thought they helped clean the engine and prevent harmful buildups... thanks for the help!

 

[LargemouthBass21]

My manual said to use 40:1 so I believe post 64 but I couldn’t find exactly what year. I believe my manual is also a little bit older than my actual motor. I found it on the internet

 

[LargemouthBass21]

Is it okay to use oil that is formulated for newer oil injected engines? Mine obviously is not. I always use synthetic in 4 strokes... here is a picture of the oil I looked at earlier today. Also it says high horse power and high load and my engine is neither of these things ... 3hp and 5600 rpm certainly doesn’t classify. But can I use it anyway?

 

[Chris1956]

It would appear that when your motor was made, outboard oil was not common, so SAE-30 motor oil was recommended. Also about that time motor oils started to have detergents added to them. Detergents in motor oil are not suitable for 2 cycle premix or injection, hence the warning.

At this point, I would recommend any outboard oil. Since your motor was made to run on SAE-30 motor oil, any TCW-III is just fine. I would stick with the original gas-oil ratio, unless you have a trusted recommendation to change it.

 

[jimmbo]

You posted a manual that was from the 50s, you claim you motor is newer, the model number you gave isn't showing up in any of my lists. I have never seen a 40:1 ratio speced by OMC. Going with what you have provided and to not risk engine failure, I will state again to use a TC-W3 oil at a 16:1 ratio. Provide a picture the actual engine, and I can at least tell you what year the cowl is

 

[DouglasW]

I think the only year that had a 34xx model# was 1964. There was a 3402.....maybe a little dyslexia ;-)

 

[jimmbo]

Until the model # is certain I would not recommend 24:1 or 50:1, until then 16:1

Model year

3020 1956
3024 1957
3040 1961

 

[F_R]

There were no Yachtwins in the 1950's or early 1960's Possibly 1964, I'm not positive just what year they first appeared.

"Premium" SAE 30 detergent oil back in those days contained detergents that do not burn in a two-stroke, thus are to be avoided. Yes, modern TC-W3 oil does contain detergent, but it is an ashless detergent suitable for two-strokes.

 

[F_R]

I just checked, and 1964 was the first year for Yachtwins. There were Lightwins, Ducktwins, and Yachtwins, all 3hp.

 

[LargemouthBass21]

I just checked, and 1964 was the first year for Yachtwins. There were Lightwins, Ducktwins, and Yachtwins, all 3hp.

I was told in another thread mine is a 1964.
The gas tank says 40:1, to be on the safe side I will use 32:1 synthetic.

 

[LargemouthBass21]

It would appear that when your motor was made, outboard oil was not common, so SAE-30 motor oil was recommended. Also about that time motor oils started to have detergents added to them. Detergents in motor oil are not suitable for 2 cycle premix or injection, hence the warning.

At this point, I would recommend any outboard oil. Since your motor was made to run on SAE-30 motor oil, any TCW-III is just fine. I would stick with the original gas-oil ratio, unless you have a trusted recommendation to change it.

Makes sense to me, good information. Its amazing to me how much better modern oil is...

 

[LargemouthBass21]

There were no Yachtwins in the 1950's or early 1960's Possibly 1964, I'm not positive just what year they first appeared.

"Premium" SAE 30 detergent oil back in those days contained detergents that do not burn in a two-stroke, thus are to be avoided. Yes, modern TC-W3 oil does contain detergent, but it is an ashless detergent suitable for two-strokes.

Thanks for the info, my tank says 40:1 on it. I will be picking up some of the evinrude/johnson partial synthetic in the future. Not the best money can buy I know, but certainly much better than 30W automotive!!

 

[LargemouthBass21]

You posted a manual that was from the 50s, you claim you motor is newer, the model number you gave isn't showing up in any of my lists. I have never seen a 40:1 ratio speced by OMC. Going with what you have provided and to not risk engine failure, I will state again to use a TC-W3 oil at a 16:1 ratio. Provide a picture the actual engine, and I can at least tell you what year the cowl is

i believe mine is a 1964, the oem tank says 40:1 on it. I had the model number mixed around I believe

 

[jimmbo]

1964 was the year OMC switched to 50:1 a 1964 or newer tank would say 50:1, a 1963 or older would say 24:1.

 

[F_R]

1964 said 50:1 "Only if Evinrude 50:1 oil is used". Otherwise, 24:1

 

[LargemouthBass21]

1964 said 50:1 "Only if Evinrude 50:1 oil is used". Otherwise, 24:1

I would imagine with partial synthetic evinrude/Johnson brand oil I would be ok with a 32:1 am I correct in saying that? I’m sure it’s much better than 1964 50:1 oil and it’s still richer!!

 

[jimmbo]

1964 said 50:1 "Only if Evinrude 50:1 oil is used". Otherwise, 24:1

Evinrude oil wasn't marketed until 66 or 67. It was outboard oil or SAE 30 @50:1

 

[jimmbo]

From the 1964 Johnson Brochure

I'm in the process of looking for my 1965 90hp Owners manual