OMC 100:1 mix ratio retract to 50:1 question

ondarvr

Supreme Mariner
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Apr 6, 2005
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11,527
Re: OMC 100:1 mix ratio retract to 50:1 question

[qoute russellmead10]

My general practice;
I run 40:1 to 50:1 for general use (more oil first tank of season or higher temp/heavier boat load)
75:1 if primarily trolling & low speed
100:1 if basically entirely trolling my skiff for endless hours (reduces plug fouling)
40:1 to 25:1 with extended Wot running, like 50-100mile endurance runs between 3/4-Wot except for fuel stops (also change to non-gapable high speed spark plugs (like common in many of my other small merc's)). Not sure how many 100's hours I've put on the Johnson 15, but it still starts every time and pumps out plenty of power.[/QUOTE]


Like already stated, this sounds like a lot of work for little or no gain.

1. What does running 40:1 in the first tank of the year do to help anything?

2. In forty+ years of boating I have never fouled a plug, so how is it going to be reduced by going to 100:1.

3. 25:1 to 40:1 for high RPM. Nobody recommends this for any stock OB even running at WOT, where do you get the idea this will help? (I'm talking engines recommended for 50:1)

4. When you fill the tank how do you know exactly how that entire tank will be used? You will possibly be trolling, cruising and running WOT all in the same day, do you switch tanks?

Did you know that your jetting changes with oil ratio, as you add more oil you will run leaner, less oil richer. So you should be changing the jets while you're at it.

The engineers that get paid to make sure these engines run correctly for many years have determined that 50:1 seems to be the best ratio to cover all types of uses. I'm sure many here have far more experience and knowledge on the subject though (sarcasm).

Yes oil infection ratios vary by RPM and throttle position, but you can't control any of this when using premix. It seems like a good way to outsmart yourself and while gaining nothing, risking a great deal.
 

pecheux

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Re: OMC 100:1 mix ratio retract to 50:1 question

Considering all that was written on the subject ... could we then say that for all OB manufacturer an in-between 75:1 mix ratio should have been recommended instead of dropping back from 100:1 to the old 50:1 formula ?
 

jeff_smith_0423

Chief Petty Officer
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Dec 5, 2007
Messages
492
Re: OMC 100:1 mix ratio retract to 50:1 question

No. Under WOT conditions, 75:1 is not enough oil. Modern VRO/OMS/pick your naming poison systems run around 50:1 at WOT.
 

ondarvr

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
11,527
Re: OMC 100:1 mix ratio retract to 50:1 question

Considering all that was written on the subject ... could we then say that for all OB manufacturer an in-between 75:1 mix ratio should have been recommended instead of dropping back from 100:1 to the old 50:1 formula ?



If they had determined 75:1 was the correct ratio, they would have recommended it.
 

King P.V.

Seaman
Joined
Aug 13, 2005
Messages
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Re: OMC 100:1 mix ratio retract to 50:1 question

Ok, here's the scoop........ When OMC changed their smaller outboards to 100/1 ratio, they also changed the interior bearing liners and coated them with silver... yes, silver!! . This ratio helped minimize smoke and helped motors run/idle better at low speed. The problem developd when some applications (fish camps in Canada, for example,) have 60 engines each day who's clients run 5 miles up lake at WOT in the early cold mornings,. Fish all day and then run 5 miles back at WOT. Not enough lube for heavy, sustained load applications.. Also, in high humidity areas, since many people don't use an internal storage oil for winter lay-up, the minimal film of oil (100/1)would cause rust on internal bearings and bearing sufaces. Didn't take too many runs in the early spring to destroy powerheads. I saw many engines throw rods,.......many, many, many..... Did I say many??? So, OMC went back to the 50/1 ratio ...
 

pecheux

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Re: OMC 100:1 mix ratio retract to 50:1 question

A OMC/Merc mecanic I have known forever told me that when an OB ran at 100:1 (using normal tc-w3 petroleum) he would notice the cylinder walls were dry compared to motors that ran at 50:1 ... nevertheless I still think this is 2 extreme mix ratios ... and that other oils can do better ... ex: McCulloch 100:1 red oil. (fooled you huh ! lol)
 

jeff_smith_0423

Chief Petty Officer
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Dec 5, 2007
Messages
492
Re: OMC 100:1 mix ratio retract to 50:1 question

Well, it's your motor and your wallet. You can run whatever you want in it at whatever ratio you prefer. Plenty of people do run Amsoil Saber Outboard at 100:1 - I'm sure a fair number of people run 30w at 24:1 because "that's what I've always done". Heck - my great-uncle runs USED motor oil in a 70hp looper because "There's no way i'm paying for oil that is going to get burned". There's no use telling him that's why he has to have his carbs rebuilt every other season and has had the powerhead re-ringed twice. Everyone HATES fishing from that boat.

The safe bet is to run a quality TCW-III oil at the manufacturer's recommended ratio if you're looking for longevity and reliability from your powerhead.
 

jeff_smith_0423

Chief Petty Officer
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Dec 5, 2007
Messages
492
Re: OMC 100:1 mix ratio retract to 50:1 question

lmao! used motor oil:p

He's definitely the crank in our family. Some people just do things a little differently in the great north woods. That whole side of the family lived through the great depression and is notorious for saving string, tinfoil, washing out ziploc bags, etc. Old Art is the leader of the pack with the old motor oil, though.
 
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