oil for 2 stroke?
 

i am wondering if it is worthwhile to run expensive oil in my 2 stroke johnson. i have been buying johnson/evinrude oil for $55/2.5 gallon now for a while. the boat i tournament fish on (read: gets motors beat hard) uses cheap pennzoil walmart oil. i used to use quiksilver but have been told its all marketing and is cheap junk. any insight? is two stroke oil all the same but w/ marketing and pricing differences? is there one oil that stands above the rest? should you only use your manufacturers oil? there are lots of people on here w/ vast motor knowledge, lets hear it.

Re: oil for 2 stroke?
 

I've been running West premium 2s in OX66 Yam and Johnson carb for a long, long time with no major problems. On sale at $18/gal it's not much less than what you're paying.

Re: oil for 2 stroke?
 

None of the Outboard motor manufacturers actually make their own oils. Rather, the oils are made by an oil refiner to the motor manufacturer's specifications, which are all TCW3 or TCW4.
Here's the ones I know:
Mercury Quicksilver = Citgo Petroleum (yes, Venezuela) was Texaco prior to Texaco being bought out partly by Chevron and partly by Shell.
Yamaha Yamalube = Shell Oil
Evinrude/Johnson/BRP = Penzoil or Amoco/BP
WalMart SuperTech = Penzoil or Chevron/Texaco

I know my '06 Mercury Optimax warranty requires I run Quicksilver Optimax, or Quicksilver Premium Plus, or Quicksilver Premium Synthetic 2-stroke oil in order to not void my warranty. My Merc mechanic said the Premium Plus actually tested better than the Optimax and Premium Synthetic in wear prevention.

My computer says my mixing ratio at idle and slow speeds is as high as 100:1, and I average about 65:1.

Re: oil for 2 stroke?
 

I have a 1999 250 Johnson and use XD 50 Johnson/Evinrude oil in my motor. I removed the oil pump and mix the oil and gas. I have good luck with this oil. I also it in bulk from my local dealer and save about $5.00/gal.

Re: oil for 2 stroke?
 

I strickly use in both my Johnson motors XD-50 Johnson/Evinrude oil, Non Ethanol fuel coupled with Johnson/Evinrude 2+4 Fuel conditioner (1 pt per 64 gals)passing thru a Racor Fuel Filter.

Re: oil for 2 stroke?
 

Same here, EXCEPT for that dang ethanol.

Re: oil for 2 stroke?
 

after seeing all the xd-50 users i had to go out to my shop and see what john/rude oil ive been using. of course my cheap ass has the xd30 out there. i will definitely switch to the 50. as far as ethanol goes, hunt around your town/city, most waterfront communities will have at least 1 or 2 gas stations w/ ethanol free gas. i found one close by last spring and havent gone elsewhere since. i still use the startron to be safe but it helps. thanks for all the responses, fishing hard this weekend and need to top off the vro tank.

Re: oil for 2 stroke?
 

et23, when you say in bulk, how much do you buy? $5/gallon in savings is nothing to scoff at.

Re: oil for 2 stroke?
 

I have two - 1 gallon used oil containers that I take back to my outboard mechanic and he fills them from his large drum. I save $5.00 off what I would pay without the containers at his shop.

Re: oil for 2 stroke?
 

Eddie, is that over at Acie's shop?

Re: oil for 2 stroke?
 

Yes or at his parents dealer, I think Redfish Marine.
ET

Re: oil for 2 stroke?
 

I don't have easy access to Rude oil but I have found the Merc Prem + has much less smoke than some Pennzoil blend I ran - its good oil and I pay 25 in bulk - either XD50 or that will work fine which ever is easiest to find in bulk

Re: oil for 2 stroke?
 

My local dealer re-fills Yamalube for $18.00 a gallon.

Re: oil for 2 stroke?
 

I was recently turned on to Starbrite premium oil which is a synthetic blend and it seems to be very good.
No smoke compared to the others I have used (quicksilver, penzoil, west marine premium) and runs about $18.00 per gallon.

They have a comparison on their site but take it for what its worth.

Re: oil for 2 stroke?
 

in my old 2 stroke i was running west marine tcw-3 when i got a case on sale then switched to penzoil premium plus. never really paid much attention to the amount of smoke. motor is still together so thats good.

Re: oil for 2 stroke?
 

I agree with the "Dog", don't know why but the Premium Plus does not smoke as bad as the others. It's $24.96 a gallon at Wal-Mart......that's where I usually get it 'cause I'm cheap and poor.

Re: oil for 2 stroke?
 

sometimes its on sale as bass pro. thats when i stock up

Re: oil for 2 stroke?
 

I don't know anything about the additives added to the different oils, but they all do the same thing. A 2 stroke engine from any manufacturer needs lubrication so my thoughts are oil is oil.

Heck, back in the old days we used to use 30 weight engine oil mixed in the gas and the engines ran for years.