preferred brand of 2 cycle oil????

[alangore]

I use Valvoline TCW3 spec. I was given a gallon of Havoline TCW3 spec. any body have information regarding either as better???? thanks

 

[sutor623]

I think its all preference and experience. I use Pennzoil TCW-3 in all my outboards. $20 a gallon or less. I have never had an issue with it. $50 a gallon + for the evinrude or amsoil is a hard pill to swallow!!!!!!!

 

[GA_Boater]

I look at like this - It is a major brand (Texaco/Chevron), it is TCW-3, it is free. Use it and if you don't like it, go back to the Valvoline.

 

[F_R]

I use Penzoil 100% full synthetic because it smokes less, produces less sheen on the water, and is bio-degradable. Also expensive and hard to find. However, I have no qualms about using any oil that is NMMA Certified TC-W3 oil. The NMMA logo and "Certified" on the label says it has been tested and approved. If it doesn't have those markings, it has not been tested, or it was tested and flunked. Beware of those that say something like "meets TC-W3 specifications" Maybe it does, maybe it doesn't. Gotta have that logo and say it is certified.

 

[Chris1956]

I'm with GA on this. Free TC-W oil is better than TC-W oil I need to pay for......

 

[Rick.]

I just read an interesting article saying Amsoil isn't certified as TCW3 which I found surprising. After re-reading their label it doesn't say it is certified but reads like it is. I'm back looking for a full synthetic. Rick.

 

[sutor623]

I just read an interesting article saying Amsoil isn't certified as TCW3 which I found surprising. After re-reading their label it doesn't say it is certified but reads like it is. I'm back looking for a full synthetic. Rick.

Amsoil is in its own class so I wouldnt worry about that.

 

[gm280]

I don't know, what's on sale? So many oils and opinions that if the label specifies it meets or exceeds manufacturer's specification, I don't have an issue... I look at it this way. IF an oil doesn't at least protect the engine it is marketed for, how long will that manufacture stay in business. Word of mouth travels might quick these days with internet capabilities... So I have never bought any oil that I could absolutely say was not good. JMHO!

 

[dingbat]

I just read an interesting article saying Amsoil isn't certified as TCW3 which I found surprising. After re-reading their label it doesn't say it is certified but reads like it is. I'm back looking for a full synthetic. Rick.

TCW3 is a pay to play certification whose pass / fail criteria is a joke. Amsoil isn't certified simply because it refuses to pay the ransom

 

[alangore]

awesome information. My 1976 Johnson 70hp seems to run great on the valvoline. I am going to try the Havoline prior to running out of my supply of Valvoline. and I do know a little about certifications and the TCW3 is similar to the certs for automotive oils and I know those are NOT pay to play. Amsoil has always had great products so not sure why they wouldnt want theirs certified due to the fact if you have a motor issue and use an oil NOT certified while engine is under warranty and its discovered its an automatic way for the manufacture to get out of paying for the warranty. just my opinion related to facts.

 

[60sboater]

Quicksilver Premium Plus TC-W3 rated. I might look for a less expensive oil. I have a '73 Merc 9.8,'72 Johnson 25 and a '84 15hp Chrysler currently running.

 

[robert graham]

I personally use the Pennzoil 100% Synthetic, Stabil and Ringfree all the time....but I tend to keep my boats/motors, cars, equipment for decades and feel the best oils, additives and preventive maintenance is a great investment....If you're planning to sell/trade your boat/ motor every few years then maybe the oil you use isn't that important...to you, anyway.....

 

[MTboatguy]

I buy the least expensive I can find the is certified TCW3, many of these oils are made by the same companies as the brand names. The only oil that I step to the plate and pay for the premium is for my diesel trucks and I run a premium in it, and I don't buy cheap filters for them either, they work to darn hard.

 

[F_R]

So an outboard running at 6000 RPM isn't working hard? But I hear what you are saying and appreciate it. The problem in outboards is the intense combustion temperatures at high RPM. Let it get a little hot from some minor cooling malfunction and the oil can actually break down in the exhaust ports area, pistons can scuff, and rings can break. Yeah, I know, back in the old days we ran the cheapest non-detergent oil we could get. And rings carboned up, pistons scored, and cylinder walls dished out at the ports. Normally at less than 5000 RPM. Things have changed, for better or worse, depending on point of view.

 

[MTboatguy]

So an outboard running at 6000 RPM isn't working hard?

No where did I even claim that Outboards are not working hard at 6000 RPM's but I guarantee you, they are not working quite as hard as my plow truck with the 10 foot plow on it, when I am clearing the road after we have a 4-5 foot dump overnight!

:lol: