New TLDI 50, how to switch to synthetic oil

[whosmatt]

Hi all,

I'm the proud owner of a brand new TLDI 50hp; I've got about 2 hours left in the break-in period and I couldn't be happier with the motor so far. I'm running it on a home built 17' cc skiff and getting performance numbers almost identical to this test with the stock 13 pitch prop: http://www.trailerboats.com/output.cfm?id=2259109

My dealer sent me home with a gallon of Yamalube 2M... They mostly deal in 4 strokes in the Tohatsu line and don't carry the Tohatsu / Nissan branded oils in gallons. After I'm done with this gallon of Yamalube, I'd like to switch to a full synthetic. I'll stay with the factory recommendations, and the Tohatsu/Nissan oil is hard to find in gallons here, and also hard to find on the internet. I'm thinking XD100 or maybe the Pennzoil.

My question is, how to switch without unnecessarily mixing the oils? I can't exactly run the tank dry as I'm sure the warning system will scream at me well before the tank is actually near empty. I've heard that I should avoid mixing the oils.... If this isn't a problem then my question is answered. If it is....

Maybe I'm being anal, but Evinrude's literature on the E-Tec and XD100 has me thinking, specfically that the E-Tec can be programmed to pump less oil if the owner uses only XD100. Not that my motor will use less, but if the oil is that much better....

Thoughts?
Thanks,
Matt

 

[pvanv]

Re: New TLDI 50, how to switch to synthetic oil

Your dealer can order Part# 332923050M, Tohatsu “Complete Advantage” 100% Synthetic 2-Stroke Oil, $155.50 for a 4-gallon case. In order to keep the freight cost down, it's smart if they order the oil at the same time as they get engines. You will be running the same oil ratios as with the DFI-rated semi-synthetic TCW-3. It's just much better oil.

You can wait until the tank is low, and then either 1- drain it and refill with the fresh oil, or 2- just fill it with the new oil (so there will be a transition period as the two oils are used) If you want to be 100% sure that you don't run mixed oils, drain the tank first. If you drain the tank, the oil system should be bled of any air before restarting the motor. Your dealer can do that, or you can do it, by following the procedure in the Factory service manual.

 

[whosmatt]

Re: New TLDI 50, how to switch to synthetic oil

So draining the tank is just one of those things that people do because they've *heard* something about bad things happening when 2 different brands of oil are mixed? Just curious, and thanks for the info. I guess I didn't think about just asking them to order it for me. I'm generally not the kind of guy to shop at the dealer but 4 gallons of oil will probably last me quite a long time.

 

[TGuy]

Re: New TLDI 50, how to switch to synthetic oil

You can also order oil, by the bottle, on-line from www.outboardaccessories.com. Shipping is about $8 per bottle (I don't know about shipping on a full case). Also not sure if they have the 'complete advantage' oil that Paul referred to but I guess you could email them and ask if they can get it.

 

[whosmatt]

Re: New TLDI 50, how to switch to synthetic oil

Your dealer can order Part# 332923050M, Tohatsu “Complete Advantage” 100% Synthetic 2-Stroke Oil, $155.50 for a 4-gallon case. In order to keep the freight cost down, it's smart if they order the oil at the same time as they get engines. You will be running the same oil ratios as with the DFI-rated semi-synthetic TCW-3. It's just much better oil.

You can wait until the tank is low, and then either 1- drain it and refill with the fresh oil, or 2- just fill it with the new oil (so there will be a transition period as the two oils are used) If you want to be 100% sure that you don't run mixed oils, drain the tank first. If you drain the tank, the oil system should be bled of any air before restarting the motor. Your dealer can do that, or you can do it, by following the procedure in the Factory service manual.

One more quick question: Is the (Tohatsu / Nissan) synthetic actually still available? I found an online source and tried to order some and it wasn't in stock, and they said they wouldn't be getting more. Tohatsu's web site also doesn't list it here http://www.tohatsu.com/accessories/oil.html. Just curious. I haven't placed an order with my dealer yet as I'm also wanting to order a prop hardware kit, a spare fuel filter, and some lower unit fill/drain gaskets and haven't gotten around to looking the part numbers up yet.

-M

 

[pvanv]

Re: New TLDI 50, how to switch to synthetic oil

Yes, 332923050M, Tohatsu “Complete Advantage” 100% Synthetic 2-Stroke Oil, is available to any Tohatsu/Nissan dealer.