old 2 stroke oil question

[rebars1]

I have six 1 pint sealed cans of Johnson 2stroke engine oil that came with a boat I bought from my FIL. They look new, but I'm sure they are at least twelve years old. Are they still OK to use?

 

[imstillatwork]

Re: old 2 stroke oil question

I've got a few of those too...probably about 2-3 years on mine, sealed.

 

[rwise]

Re: old 2 stroke oil question

might do better to "ebay" the 12 year old stuff, though I don't think it spoils.

 

[Major Woods]

Re: old 2 stroke oil question

As long as it is sealed it is good to use. No shelf life on the oil.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: old 2 stroke oil question

Do the cans say TC-W3 certified on them? IF not, do not use them, they may say TC-WII, and if so definitely do not use them.

 

[ED21]

Re: old 2 stroke oil question

I'v got some Gamefisher(Sears) oil from the '70's TC-W rated. Maybe I should take them to the Antiques Roadshow & get it appraised.

 

[rwise]

Re: old 2 stroke oil question

LOL

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: old 2 stroke oil question

Originally posted by seahorse:<br /> Do the cans say TC-W3 certified on them? IF not, do not use them, they may say TC-WII, and if so definitely do not use them.

Two questions:<br /><br />I understand that TCW3 is an improvement over TCW2. But (1st) is it such a huge difference that TCW2 oil would actually be harmful to a modern (not DFI) 2 stroke outboard that is intended to run on TCW3 - or is more a matter that it just isn't quite as good (for instance at preventing carbon build up) and running 6 pints through it is no big deal. After all, we're not talking 30 wt. here nor are we talking regular, long term usage. (Follow up question 1-b): Would any ill effects be reduced or eliminated by adding a dose of de-carb (e.g. Seafoam or other) to each tank?<br /><br />And (2nd) wouldn't an engine of the same vintage be designed for that oil, thus making it OK to use anyway? Also see question 1-b. <br /><br />Just asking the questions, not arguing.<br /><br />All that said, my first thought for original poster was: remember that 6 pts. represents about $10-$15 replacement cost with brand spankin' new Johnnyrude TCW3 at the ridiculously high dealer price - half that if you buy a different brand of (probably) equally as good TCW3 certified oil. So it's not worth messing with if you're at all concerned.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: old 2 stroke oil question

Well, my '58 Johnson called for 30 weight motor oil when it was new. Now...I wouldn't use that in it today, but I might go ahead and use that older TCW-2 stuff in it.<br /><br />At 24:1, there's plenty of oil in there to make it all OK. OTOH, I sure wouldn't put it in a brand new outboard. That wouldn't be prudent.

 

[rebars1]

Re: old 2 stroke oil question

Thanks for the responses. The cans say TC-W for 50:1 mix. <br /><br />The engine is the same as CATransplant's (Johnson RDS-20 35hp). Recently resurrected after about a ten year sleep.<br /><br />I've been using 50:1 with West Marine's 2 stoke oil. Should I be using a different ratio?<br /><br />I have not used the old cans yet, but it sounds like it would be OK.

 

[itstippy]

Re: old 2 stroke oil question

There was a long string on old oil a while back. The majority agreed that oil doesn't go bad like gas does because it's not volatile, but if it looks or smells funny then don't use it. A few were of the opinion that oil is cheap and outboards are expensive so why use old oil? <br />If CATransplant says use 24:01 in the RDS20 then do that. Anything he says about that motor is good advice; he's in love with it.

 

[rebars1]

Re: old 2 stroke oil question

It helps to read the fine print on the engine cowel door, which says to use 1 qt per 6 gallons (24:1) <br /><br />Thanks for setting me straight!

 

[CATransplant]

Re: old 2 stroke oil question

itstippy,<br /><br />Ha! In love? Well, I sure do like my outboard, but I don't want to marry it. <br /><br />Frankly, I don't see anything wrong with using that old oil in an RDS-20, as long as the oil doesn't appear to have deteriorated. It's better than was originally specified.<br /><br />But...I would not run any of the pre-1965 Big Twins on 50:1. Some might disagree, but I see no benefit coming from using a leaner ratio than the factory recommends. You might save a buck or two, but who cares? That 35hp outboard sucks up so much fuel that the price of gas is more of a factor.<br /><br />I'm using an old Evinrude "Cruise-a-Day_ 6-gallon tank on mine. That is purely a joke. Half a day is more like it, and that's if you spend most of your time trolling.<br /><br />If one of these outboards is new to someone, I recommend monitoring fuel usage closely the first few trips out. If you do much WOT running or even 75% of WOT running, that 6 gal. goes really, really fast. Fuel economy is not one of the RD series' long suits.<br /><br />I carry another 6 gal. tank in my tow vehicle...just in case I need it.<br /><br />Still...they're great engines.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: old 2 stroke oil question

I'd never use OLD oil that was out of spec,in a position that needs to meet newer specs.But you can use the oil for lubing other things.Sometimes I want to heat a bearing so it fits over a shaft easier.That oil works.Sometimes I am starting a rebuilt motor and want to squirt extra oil into the carbs on start up.That oil works.<br />But as the sole (main) oil for today's motors,don't substitute.<br /><br />DHP

 

[rebars1]

Re: old 2 stroke oil question

It's not worth it to me to risk using the old oil in the fuel mixture, especially when I just got this thing working again. I'll just take the old oil to the recycling center and stick with the new stuff.