Should I use TC-W3 oil?

[Kjonespequa]

Hey folks:
Should I be using TC-W3 oil? What is it and whats the difference from other 2-cycle oils? This may be a dumb question, but being new to outboards, I really don't know the answer.
thanks...Kjones

 

[pvanv]

Re: Should I use TC-W3 oil?

What is the make/model/serial?

TCW-3 oil is for Two-stroke, Spark-ignited, Water-cooled gasoline engines. So yes, that is the proper oil for a 2-stroke outboard. DFI motors (such as the TLDI series) use premium TCW-3 oils, designated specifically for direct fuel injection.

If you have a carbed motor with onboard oil injection, use TCW-3, and the ratio will be automatic. If it's a pre-mix, where you add oil to the gas tank, those are typically run at a ratio of 50:1 since the late 1970's.

If you have a 4-stroke outboard, you should run oil that is FC-W rated (for Four-stroke, Spark-ignited, Water-cooled motors). The information is spelled out in your owner's manual.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Should I use TC-W3 oil?

Other 2 stroke engine oils like TCW-2, are for air cooled engines. Stay away from using these oils in outboard applications.

Happy Boating

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Should I use TC-W3 oil?

Other 2 stroke engine oils like TCW-2, are for air cooled engines. Stay away from using these oils in outboard applications.

Happy Boating

I don't think so. These oils were sold for outboards for many years. It's not for air cooled engines, it's just older oil and isn't as good.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Should I use TC-W3 oil?

I don't think so. These oils were sold for outboards for many years. It's not for air cooled engines, it's just older oil and isn't as good.

You have a point, but if you read closely any modern outboard motor manual won't see any refference to TCW-2 oils, they recommend certified TCW-3 and must have a tech reason for it. If you state that " isn't as good" why use then ?

Happy Boating

 

[Jake Windemere]

Re: Should I use TC-W3 oil?

TCW3 is an evolution of the "two cycle watercooled" outboard engine oil. TCW3 replaced TCW2 which, I believe, replaced TCW oil.

I would not use TCW2 in a new engine when TCW3 is currently available. The latest oils have the most current additives that do the job better than the older additives.

Oil doesn't protect your engine from wear, it's the additive package that does the protecting. That is why you have different types of oil for different types of engines. The base oil carries the proper additives for the job.

Be careful on older stored oils. A long time ago I stocked up on Evinrude TCW2 oil for a then-current outboard. After a couple of years the oil deteriorated. It looked like mold was growing in the oil. Because of the weird appearance of the oil (lumpy and separating like Italian salad dressing) I put the oil in the local recycle drum. Had I mixed it with my gasoline I would have likely burned up my engine.

These days I break my engines in with the branded factory recommended mineral based oil to assure that the rings seat properly. Then I switch to Amsoil full synthetic oil, using their best oil for the application.

Oil is cheap insurance. Buy the best.

 

[JB]

Re: Should I use TC-W3 oil?

Other 2 stroke engine oils like TCW-2, are for air cooled engines. Stay away from using these oils in outboard applications.

Not correct. TC-W2 is obsolete water cooled 2 stroke oil designation.