That would be true of Ficht Ram, XD-50, and XD-100.....No TC-W3 there?????....and for use in pre-mix and injection, not just DFI.<br />TC-W3 is becoming a thing of the past because more manufacturers are going with Blend or total synthetic...It's old news everyone is hung up on.
<br /><br /> Disregard each outboard manufacturers written specifications for lubrication and warranty...those instructions are obsolete and not to be followed. Instead, use oil that is not TCW certified and rely on independent oil company advertising because it has more credibility. <br /><br />The only proof I see in any of this for quality oil is the actual TCW certification. Obviously, Amsoil doesn't have the certification and doesn't meet specifications for outboards that spec TCW. Amsoil is in the same class as the non certified TCW oil brand called "Bingo Billy's Special 2 Stroke Oil". Their label says it's the best and exceeds TCW specifications. So you are saying we should use that oil because they advertise to be the best? Direct injection 2-strokes are a different technology than conventional 2-strokes. They require different oil. DFI's have higher cylinder temperatures, so the oil must be designed differently. This does not mean that oils designed for their higher cylinder temperatures are better for an outboard that does not have higher cylinder temps. In other words, a DFI oil is not always best for a conventional 2-stroke.<br /><br />TCW-3 oils are generally designed for 2-strokes where the ring-land temperatures are held below 300F. Your XD oils are specifically designed for ring-land temperatures of 400F and above. <br /><br />Obviously oils designed to meet TCW3 specs only, will not sufficiently protect an engine operating under higher cylinder temps. But...The converse is also true. Accordign to Rotax, using a non-TCW-3 oil in an engine designed for TCW-3 type oils could result in fouled plugs and gummy combustion chambers. Again, the non-TCW-3 oils are designed to operate at higher cylinder temps.<br /><br />Furthermore, a 2-stroke designed to run on TCW-3 oil will get more than enough protection out of a TCW-3 oil, especially since most TCW-3 oils exceed the TCW-3 requirements. Anything more could be considered a waste of money, and in the case of a non-TCW-3 rated oil, possibly harmful - or at least a red flag for warranty.<br /><br />
The oil rating system is an ongoing system which grows and advances with technology. Although TCW ratings have been around a while (TCW-3 has evolved from the first TCW rating), the manufacturers who design and build the engines, still specify them. Remember, outboard manufacturers (Bombardier, Yamaha, Mercury, Honda, etc) are the ones who help develop the oil rating. They work with TCW and oil manufacturers so they can design their engines within the limitations of the oil used. <br /><br />Additionally, modern day refining techniques allow petroleum based oils to be manufactured in a way that nearly meet the properties of PAO synthetic oils. This is why many quality petroleum based oils are considered, and labeled, as synthetic.<br /><br />Some oil manufacturers have found ways to meet the requirements of both TCW-3 specified engines and DFI's. These oils will be labeled with the TCW-3 specification and meet the requirements of the DFI's.<br /><br />Other than trial and error, there is absolutely no way of knowing whether or not a non-TCW-3 rated oil is ok for a TCW-3 specified outboard.<br /><br />And that was my point Walleyehed. Again, why use a non-TCW-3 rated synthetic oil (Amsoil) when you can use one that is rated TCW-3 (example: Royal Purple).
<br /><br />You appear to be claiming that some backyard testing done here by one member should be taken as gospel, because of the results. Yet you yourself appear to be ignoring other members testing and experience here, which claim Amsoil is nothing extraodinary, and a waist of money. Go figure.<br /><br />It is irrelevant how old an oil specification is. What's relevant is what oil the outboard you have requires. New outboards of today still specify TCW-3 oils. IMO, that says something about the quality of a TCW-3 oil.<br /><br />You may've gotten a 1-year warranty with your 2-stroke outboard, but most outboards come with a much better warranty than that. Some 2-strokes can be had with 7-years warranties...much better than most autos. You got taken.<br /><br />If a TCW-3 oil is made by "Bingo Billy", it doesn't matter. It is still a TCW-3 rated, licensed and certified oil. Obviously any oil that isn't rated (Amsoil) could be from "Bingo Billy". There's no way to know. Other than Amsoil's own "salespitch" word, can you prove that it meets the TCW-3 spec? Not.<br /><br />Yes, technology change brings resistance...just as it brings bliss. <br /><br />No one here is saying there is anything wrong with synthetic oils. They have their place. We are saying there is something wrong with using an oil that isn't specified or certified as meeting our engine specs. In fact I use synthetics in my outboard's gear case and grease points. I also use them in my auto's. But not Amsoil. In all those cases, the oil is certified to meet the manufacturers specifications.<br /><br />Although Amsoil makes some brash claims, I don't recall them ever making claims like Slick-50 (running engines without oil, etc). When talking "false claims", you're comparing apples to oranges. We are simply talking about certified and non-certified oils...oils that either meet or don't meet the outboard's specifications.<br /><br />BTW, yes I always check the certification label of the oil that is put into my engines. If the NMMA specifies a particular and possibly expensive oil, I will use it. And most certainly I make sure my doctor is licensed and certified! Are you serious?<br /><br />I respect that you are a happy Amsoil user, and I have no doubt that your dealer, who has nothing but good to say about Amsoil, sells it in his store. As long as you can respect that I have found Amsoil to be a waste of money in my 2-stroke outboards. And I prefer to not use it, since it is not specified for my outboard as a TCW-3 oil. I would rather use a synthetic that is TCW-3 rated.<br /><br />Use what you like. I do. I was trying to use a little irony to point out the hypocricy of the situation.
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Again, just trying to make a point. I agree that no persons opinion should be taken as the truth!<br /><br />I just thought the whole thing was getting unreasonable and out of hand. Ever feel you just have to say something in a situation like that?<br /><br />Thanks for the well crafted reply -- it's one of the first on this subject that I've seen. I think oil discussions are more volatile than religion or politics!
<br />As far as my one year warranty, that was the standard in those days. If you can tell me where I can get a 7 year warranty on a two stroke, I'll buy tomorrow!
<br /><br />The only thing Ill say now is. "Amsoil from Amway"!!! Ha, Ha, Ha,LMAO, You have really got to be kidding, Who the He*l told you that peice of noncents??? For me, the TCW-3 crew sounds more scientifically convincing, so in the meantime I am heading to a nearby discount store to buy a gallon of TCW-3 rated Pennzoil -- in its synthetic blend variety, just to be on the safe side, following the "middle road" I usually take. Sorry about that you nice Am-soil guys. I'll be back soon to read the next exciting episode. Peace (and profits) be with you. 
