I/O 350 engine - run on 50:1 oil/gas?

[erikgreen]

Re: I/O 350 engine - run on 50:1 oil/gas?

Yeah, oil on hand is about all I can think of at the moment too.

No comments on the auto-blend things... guess they must really suck.

If only I could afford a 4 stroke....

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: I/O 350 engine - run on 50:1 oil/gas?

Sounds as if you do not trust your 350 and are looking for some peace of mind when traveling long distances. And, you're looking for an affordable option under a $1,000. Is this correct?

Again, looking to keep it simple, I would look for a way to pump gas from the main tank to the saddle (pre-mix) tank and carry 2-stroke oil with me. That way I have my security without the potential for causing more harm.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: I/O 350 engine - run on 50:1 oil/gas?

I bought a brand new Tohatsu 9.8hp 4 stroke for my Zodiac Zoom in 2006. It was about $1600 (incl tax) shipped.

It's not an electric start engine but it only weighs 81lbs. It starts so easy, I wouldn't even think of making it electric start....

You may not need 10hp for trolling. A 5 or 6hp might just work fine.

I see those Nissan/Tohatsu outboards all over ebay and Craigslist new and used. For around $400-600. Here's a nice one for example..... http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/boa/1570180764.html

You sure solve a lot of problems with a 4 stroke...

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: I/O 350 engine - run on 50:1 oil/gas?

The 53 gal main tank should get you pretty far on its own right. Maybe go the two aux tanks with premix(which should be more than enough for a 10 - 15 horse) and worst case senerio run the 350 (if you happen to run out) off of the aux tanks to get you back. Or just use the kicker to get you back if you run out on the main tank/engine. Or possibly fill the aux tanks with a known gallonage keep them unmixed until it comes time to need them, add oil to one side and be on your way with the kicker. Keep enough oil onboard to make up both tanks if needed and make up what you need as you go. As I'm sure you well know a 15 horse kicker will run a long time on 10-15 gallons of gas. Good luck with it and I agree that a 4 stroke version of what you want isn't going to be had for a grand.

 

[wvmedic]

Re: I/O 350 engine - run on 50:1 oil/gas?

For what you want to do I can only see two options.

1) Use you're saddle tanks for the kicker only.

2) Use one saddle tank for the kicker, plumb a valve from the main tank to the saddle tank with a 12 volt external fuel pump for refiling if and when needed.

The auto blend I can only say some hate them some love them. I had one on my 90 hp Yamaha, for the short time I ran it I had no problems with it. I do understand that Yamaha makes one of the better ones though.


Jeff

 

[Lou C]

Re: I/O 350 engine - run on 50:1 oil/gas?

I agree with much of what was said...the only solutions that will work is either a 4 stroke kicker or a 2 stroke with a separate gas tank...and given the cost of 4 strokes...if you find a good used 2 stroke carbed model I'd go with that (smokey as they are) and run it on Pennzoil Marine semi syn 50:1 TCWIII oil for less deposits and cleaner running....

 

[Don S]

Re: I/O 350 engine - run on 50:1 oil/gas?

Maybe you ought to just use a seperate tank on a 2 stroke. If you do have a problem with your main, dump some 2stroke oil in one of the side tanks and use it. But don't run 50:1 one the main engine.
As far as the autoblend type tanks, that is outboard specific. You would have to find out if it's possible to use something like that from the outboard forum for the type engine you get.

 

[wca_tim]

Re: I/O 350 engine - run on 50:1 oil/gas?

first, if you burn premix in the main engine, al other issues aside, you'll be burning a good bit of expensive 2-stroke oil that you wouldn't otherwise...

I would seriously just run a small seperate tank for the kicker and depending on how easy it is to get to your filling cap on the main tank, either carry an inesxpensive siphon / hand pump you can slip into the main tank to fill your smaller tank from, or t off a fuel line with a valve and attach a simple pump there to fil your kicker tank from when it is empty.

then after some time, save the money you'de have to spend in extra maintenence and oil if you ran mix in your main tank, sell your current kicker motor and buy that 4-stroke...

that's what I think i would do anyhow... and I don't trust automixers... not one bit sam I am...

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: I/O 350 engine - run on 50:1 oil/gas?

that's what I think i would do anyhow... and I don't trust automixers... not one bit sam I am...

I do not like green eggs and ham..............(either!!!!)

 

[erikgreen]

Re: I/O 350 engine - run on 50:1 oil/gas?

Okay, sounds like some reasonable plans forming up.

So let's see... I'll use the main tank with the main engine normally, and use the kicker running off either its own tank or (more likely) the wing tanks one at a time - I'm not too worried about balance issues.

If the kicker cuts out while trolling I get home on the main engine.

If the main engine dies while far away from home I will just carry enough mixable oil on board to mix into the second wing tank and the main tank, extending the run time of the kicker as needed.

That should work so I can get usable fuel for the kicker in an emergency, provided conditions aren't too bad... I don't want to try to pour and mix oil in 4 foot waves. Or transfer tank to tank in those conditions.

It sounds like the only ideal solution is to get the four stroke. Maybe I'll save some more pennies and hope for a really good deal or something.

Erik