Running two stroke oil through Mercruisrer?

[acdc96]

I brought my boat down to the boat ramp to check for leaks and stuff and a guy back his boat down the other ramp next to the one I'm using and tells me... "You know your registration is expired?" My boat has very little of an interior and was last registered in 2007. So i say... "Yeah I know that, I'm just checking for leaks and stuff before I finish it" So we start talking about restoring boats and all that. We moved on talking about the engine. I started the engine and let it run for a few minutes. He asks me what I've done to it. I tell him the long list of things I've done to the engine. He asks me after that did I run two stroke oil through the engine. I'm thinking why on earth would I run two stroke oil through a motor like mine? I tell him no and ask him why should I? He replies, since your motor sat so long without running you should lubricate the upper cylinder walls and rings. We finished talking a short while after that and I did a quick two minute test drive in the harbor. (Felt good, but didn't stray to far from the ramp having a registration that was 7 years expired, about 100 yards was the farthest) Is this a good idea or should I stay away from this idea? I figured it was a very high ratio of like 100:1 or 150:1. 1986 Mercruiser 260 V8 5.7L

 

[jack black]

People do that in older cars a lot. Between 1:500 and 1:1000. Quieter idle, less vibration, and better MPG is usually mentioned. I tried a few times (including in a boat) and didn't see much difference. However, it worked as well as Stabil in my DYI fuel stabilization study.

See this: http://www.ls1.com/forums/f48/been-testing-oil-91206/

 

[tpenfield]

I run a fairly high concentration of 2 cycle mix through my mercruisers in order to fog them for winter layup. It is prescribed in the manual for injected engines. Not sure if it would do much good after the fact.

 

[jack black]

I run a fairly high concentration of 2 cycle mix through my mercruisers in order to fog them for winter layup. It is prescribed in the manual for injected engines. Not sure if it would do much good after the fact.

Since you mentioned that, I do that too in combination with running carb dry (mentioned in a separate thread of mine). I put about 3 ml of TCW3 in the carb bowl and use it up.

 

[bruceb58]

I run a fairly high concentration of 2 cycle mix through my mercruisers in order to fog them for winter layup. It is prescribed in the manual for injected engines. Not sure if it would do much good after the fact.

DonS used to say to do that for Volvo fuel injected engines as well.

 

[JustJason]

I run 2 cycle oil in my Triumph Spitfire. But that's only to help keep the slide in the Stromberg carb lubricated. I don't run much, It's a 12 gallon fuel tank, and I add 3 or 4 ounces every time I fill up.

It certainly won't hurt an engine. But you wouldn't want to do it in a newer engine with cats on it.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Howdy, While it might be just fine to run some oil (2-stroke or otherwise) in an engine at a low power setting you shouldn't run gasoline mixed with any oil on a regular basis. Oil, diesel, kerosene and jet fuel will lower octane numbers and can result in detonation at high power settings. Its fine for fogging, winter layup etc.....but dont put it in the tank. Regards Rick

 

[midcarolina]

Plenty folks been running marvel mystery oil or seafoam or some other product added to their fuel for decades.......seems to me the stated benefits of these products would out weigh the one benefit of lubrication from 2 stroke oil.....

 

[HT32BSX115]

Plenty folks been running marvel mystery oil or seafoam or some other product added to their fuel for decades.......seems to me the stated benefits of these products would out weigh the one benefit of lubrication from 2 stroke oil.....

Well, You're right. People HAVE been running MMO and other snake oils in their fuel for decades.

That of course doesn't make it "right".........Many people HAVEN'T been running MMO, Seafoam, Owlsnot, and Clamjuice in their fuel and "haven't had a problem" too. Absence of a problem is not evidence of a benefit.

"Running" any form of light oil and/or solvent and "NOT having a problem" is not really a benefit since the oil simply causes more deposits in the combustion chambers, exhaust valves, spark plugs, etc.....

I don't see how mixing Stoddard Solvent, mineral oil and lard (MMO) into your fuel could possibly have a benefit!

BUT there's plenty of evidence that it will cause detonation in high HP gasoline engines http://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/brief2.aspx?ev_id=20020916X01610&ntsbno=NYC02LA181&akey=1

Gasoline marine engines are quite similar to gasoline aircraft engines......

Detonation is a frequent cause of catastrophic damage in marine engines......... adding ANYTHING to gasoline in a marine engine that can reduce the octane number is very risky. All oils and solvents (and probably LARD, or other vegetable oils) reduce octane number.

Since oils, diesel, Kerosene, and and other light oils/solvents will reduce octane number and cause deposits, it's really best to avoid them all..... (in fuel)

Commercial octane boosters and fuel "stabilizers" are probably ok and some manufacturers recommend them.......BUT NONE of them can prevent loss of vapor pressure because marine fuel tanks vent to atmosphere. I always store my gasoline fuel tanks nearly empty and refill when I am ready to use them. I have never had condensation.

I am not sure it even happens and there's some evidence that water in fuel tanks can come from sources OTHER than condensation.
http://www.yachtsurvey.com/myth_of_condensation_in_fuel_tanks.htm

He asks me after that did I run two stroke oil through the engine. I'm thinking why on earth would I run two stroke oil through a motor like mine? I tell him no and ask him why should I? He replies, since your motor sat so long without running you should lubricate the upper cylinder walls and rings.

I apologize for straying from the original question! If your "motor" has sat for a long time (year or 2) and it wasn't "fogged" and you're worried about upper cyl lube etc, Pull the plugs, spray some light oil (3 in 1, 2-stroke, motor oil mixed with Kero etc) in the cyls crank the engine with the plugs out , put them back in and go boating.

For an engine that has sat since 2007, I would PRE-LUBE the engine by removing the distributor and turning the oil pump with a drill motor AND spray some light oil into the cyls and crank it a bit AFTER prelubing. Then I would put the plugs back in and start it up!

I would NOT put ANYTHING into the fuel tank except fresh NEW fuel.


Cheers,


Rick

 

[friendly_jacek]

I don't see how mixing Stoddard Solvent, mineral oil and lard (MMO) into your fuel could possibly have a benefit!

First, your sources are incorrect and MMO contains no LARD.
Second, the OP asked about TCW3 oil and not MMO.

 

[midcarolina]

I mentioned many folks use MMO or sea foam trying to point out a little 2 stroke oil prolly wouldnt hurt a thing...... that was until the resident oil and gas guru jumped in and is of the opinion that all additives are snake oils......except for commercial octane boosters and fuel stabilizers...................

 

[HT32BSX115]

I mentioned many folks use MMO or sea foam trying to point out a little 2 stroke oil prolly wouldnt hurt a thing...... that was until the resident oil and gas guru jumped in and is of the opinion that all additives are snake oils......except for commercial octane boosters and fuel stabilizers...................

I am no more of a guru than anyone else........ interesting how a difference of opinion always seems to turn into a personal attack......

 

[Scott Danforth]

opcorn: just sayin'

 

[Tail_Gunner]

I am no more of a guru than anyone else........ interesting how a difference of opinion always seems to turn into a personal attack......

Indeed and the mileage will vary drastically

 

[HT32BSX115]

Indeed and the mileage will vary drastically

yeah.......................

 

[midcarolina]

Your post was presented as fact not as opinion..........I'm not sure how referring to you as the resident guru..... which your post made it clear that you think you are! is some how a personal attack....... thats just ridiculous, If I was personally attacking you , you and everyone else would have no doubt it was an attack!

The fact is you presented yourself as an expert...... and recieved the response you deserved..........

 

[stonyloam]

If you want to put something good in the tank try non- ethanol gas!!!

 

[HT32BSX115]

Your post was presented as fact...

Sorry. Adding oil and or solvents to gasoline does decrease octane. That is a fact. It aldo increases combustion chamber deposits, which when at a sufficient level will lead to detonation. It's not electrical engineering. Believe what you like. It's not my opinion that no OEM will sanction mixing oil, diesel, kerosene or other light oil and solvents with gasoline in 4-stroke engines.

 

[friendly_jacek]

Sorry. Adding oil and or solvents to gasoline does decrease octane. That is a fact. It aldo increases combustion chamber deposits, which when at a sufficient level will lead to detonation. It's not electrical engineering. Believe what you like. It's not my opinion that no OEM will sanction mixing oil, diesel, kerosene or other light oil and solvents with gasoline in 4-stroke engines.

TCW3 at 1:500 or less will not produce a measurable decrease in octanes or increase in deposits.
As a matter of fact, users report cleaner spark plugs. Not suprizingly as there are no deposits when running in 2 tact engines at 1:50 either.

 

[bruceb58]

Your post was presented as fact not as opinion..........I'm not sure how referring to you as the resident guru..... which your post made it clear that you think you are! is some how a personal attack....... thats just ridiculous, If I was personally attacking you , you and everyone else would have no doubt it was an attack!
.

Sounded like a personal attack to me. I think an apology is in order.