Is it recommended to use only Mercury, Johnson, etc brands of TCW-3 oil, or can cheaper, off brands of TCW-3 be used?<br /><br />Is it only important to be TCW-3?
No, weld the can shut. It was my fault this post was created, I should have read more posts. I swear I hadn't seen one about oil until I created this one.
Yep, any oil will work. But while you're here at iboats, check out the great prices on rebuilt powerheads. Just for fun.<br /><br />But any ol oil will work.
depends on what your running it in, the average premix mid 80's 9.9 does not really care, an Optimax,FICHT, E-TECH, HPDI or OX66 may care a great deal.
witf, TCW-3 certification means that the marine engine manufacturers association has tested the oil and it meets minimum standards. They run some engines for some period of hours then take 'em apart & measure carbon build-up. And probably some wear & tear tolerances. It's very scientific - they have a website I don't remember the url. Better oils exceed the standards; even the worst oil meets 'em. Assuming what they put on the shelf is the same formulation submitted for testing. I guess they take a big enough sample to account for manufacturing variances. But don't ask me if higher cost means better quality. I use the cheap stuff.<br /><br />Some say that you can compensate for using cheaper oil by decarbonizing more frequently. I say, can't hurt.<br /><br />I didn't say anything controversial there, did I?
Hummmm...."Waterinthefuel"...I like that handle. Got me thinking -- gonna start adding H2O to the oil. Gotta thin it out so it gets in tight places better. Since I use oil drained outta my truck it probably has gas in it already so it should be pretty potent.<br /><br />Right?
Boy, it really does need to warm up so we can get out on the water, seems everyone is getting a bit squirly.<br /><br />Home lake hit 50 this week. Maybe this weekend for me.
personally I use waste fryer oil from McDonalds thinned with rubbing alcohol, draw back is when your trolling the smell is distracting. dont know whether I am hungry or need a massage.
