Changing oil in a 4 stroke vs adding oil to a 2 stroke resevoir - The Hull Truth

crackerasscracker · 05-30-2007, 11:17 AM

In have noted that the ETEC Interthugs have been hard at work making the 4 stroke oil change seem as though it is more difficult than passing a calculus test. Let's try to break this down a little here.
How many outboard powered boats are stored out of the water? I am thinking over 80%. I am also thinking that another 15% can be easily removed from the water. All water stored boats will have to be pulled for maint and painting.

The actual act of changing 4 stroke oil is so easy a caveman could do it... Seriously, the hardest part is making sure the oil does not spill. Ironically, that is the hardest part about a 2 stroke motor. Except, you need to refill it a good bit more. I did not know exactly what steps I needed to take to change the oil on my outboards, but I read the directions and asked a few questions and that was it.

After you are done changing your oil, you can take it to an autoparts store for recycling. Your unburned 2 stroke oil goes into the water, killing precious marine life... in fact, if you use 2 stroke motors, you hate all marine life and want to kill it...
Does that realy make sense? No, of course not.... but it makes as much sense as the overdramaticized difficulty of changing the oil in an outboard motor by some of the area interthugs.
Bottom line is...being a boat owner is not like owning a car. A boat needs a lot more attention. You need to set aside time to do PM on your boat. That is what beer and windy days are for...

ocnslr · 05-30-2007, 11:24 AM

Had a single two-stroke Yamaha OX66 on our boat when new. Came with a 2.5-gal oil reservoir, and I had to refill that a lot. PITA and I spilled oil into the bilge more than once. Replaced the reservoir with a 5-gal model just so I didn't have to refill as often.

Repowered 18 month ago with twin F150s. Use a pump and hoses I bought from Andy at SIM. Warm up the engines, suck the oil from one, pour into a larger container, suck the oil from the second engine. Let the oil filters drain (as much as they will), then change them. Add oil to both engines. Run engines - check oil level. Takes about two beers - I mean one hour. And that is with the boat in the slip....

While fuel - and two-stroke oil - consumption is very speed dependent, I could easily go through 25-35 gallons of two-stroke Yamalube between the 100-hour oil changes on the F150s.

FireFly · 05-30-2007, 11:28 AM

I think at the end of the day it's a wash and neither should be your primary factor for deciding between the two.

truepursuit · 05-30-2007, 11:43 AM

Quote:

ocnslr - 5/30/2007 10:24 AM

.......... I could easily go through 25-35 gallons of two-stroke Yamalube between the 100-hour oil changes on the F150s.

100 hrs x 10gph = 1000 gallons of fuel.

1000 gallons of fuel mixed at 80:1 = 12.5 gallons of 2-stroke oil = filling 2.5 gal. resov. 5 times.

Monetarily its probably a wash. I burn the cheap stuff. About $12/gal.

Cracker · 05-30-2007, 11:43 AM

I have done my twice and while I will admit it I had to get my system down, its not that bad when done with pump mentioned above. All the other maintenance is the same as on any other outboard... I will never have another 2 stroke, not cause they are bad engines just because I like the 4 strokes better..

Fletch · 05-30-2007, 11:50 AM

Quote:

truepursuit - 5/30/2007 10:43 AM

1000 gallons of fuel mixed at 80:1 = 12.5 gallons of 2-stroke oil = filling 2.5 gal. resov. 5 times.
Monetarily its probably a wash. I burn the cheap stuff. About $12/gal.

I refill mine 3 times per 100 hours of use. Something I've verified 7 times over a 700+ hour period so far over the last year. Only had to remove the boat from the water twice for scheduled maintenance. It's a beautiful thing.

But getting back on topic. I must be lying cause 4 strokes rule. A blind man could see that. Anyone who buys a 2 strokes is a fool as those unreliable, polluting pos's will soon be extinct. All those guys who switched from 4 strokes to 2 strokes and posted about it on this site are bald faced liars and oh yeah, "interthugs".

hogrefe · 05-30-2007, 11:55 AM

Could you please give more information on the oil change pump you use for the Yamaha 150. Part numbers, cost and dealer. Thanks

crackerasscracker · 05-30-2007, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Fletch - 5/30/2007 10:50 AM

Quote:

truepursuit - 5/30/2007 10:43 AM

1000 gallons of fuel mixed at 80:1 = 12.5 gallons of 2-stroke oil = filling 2.5 gal. resov. 5 times.
Monetarily its probably a wash. I burn the cheap stuff. About $12/gal.

I refill mine 3 times per 100 hours of use. Something I've verified 7 times over a 700+ hour period so far over the last year. Only had to remove the boat from the water twice for scheduled maintenance. It's a beautiful thing.

But getting back on topic. I must be lying cause 4 strokes rule. A blind man could see that. Anyone who buys a 2 strokes is a fool as those unreliable, polluting pos's will soon be extinct. All those guys who switched from 4 strokes to 2 strokes and posted about it on this site are bald faced liars and oh yeah, "interthugs".

Whatever man.... I do not think it makes you look like a liar...it just makes you look like a fool when you try to make the act of changing oil in a 4 stroke so difficult... you may be too full of your own sh it to understand this, but most of us logical folks out here understand that there are trade offs for each technology.
I am not the one on here saying my motor brand is the bestestest ever. I am not asking for the serial # for anyone who is having problems with their 4 stroke.

The ETEC is a fine motor. It has its problems its goods and bads, but all motors makes, brands, and styles do. That is not up for debate. No motor is flawless. NONE. The ETEC is a little on the pricey side her HP. The success of the motor is very dependant on having a skilled and trained technician in your area for the install and future problems. That is very clear.

...and I also very much think that the ETEC interthug crew has done more damage than good as far as this site and FS and a few others go. Most of us who are not drooling idiots know that the ETEC infomercial was insulting at best. It seems that same marketing strategy has been transferred to this interthug crew.
If I can give you some advice, remember that for the most part, the buying public is not stupid. They may not know a lot about outboard motors, but they know the difference betwen a Ginsu knife and a Henkel knife....

I hope you ETEC Champions can take a step back and understand that people are not jealous of the ETEC and its technology. People are insulted by the silly sensationalized claims made by their maniacal minions on this site and others...

Glen E · 05-30-2007, 01:11 PM

Quote:

hogrefe - 5/30/2007 11:55 AM

Could you please give more information on the oil change pump you use for the Yamaha 150. Part numbers, cost and dealer. Thanks

I have had three dipstick pumps over the past 10 years and by far the best for me is the Jabsco Flat tank oil change pump from Boatersworld.com.co . Yes it is a bit more expensive but it does not spill, and empties very easily. I change without spilling a drop and use a large auto funnel to empty to a 5 gallon jerry can which goes to the nearest car dealership for disposal. I highly receommend this unit. I like the Tempo unit too that SIM receommends as a cheaper alternative... but don't like manual labor so the 12V pump is the way I go...I can turn it on and walk away...come back 20 min later to an empty crankcase...

http://www.boatersworld.com/product/367400090.htm

jethro1 · 05-30-2007, 01:12 PM

Quote:

crackerasscracker - 5/30/2007 10:17 AM

The actual act of changing 4 stroke oil is so easy a caveman could do it...

I resent this comment! In fact, I am having discussions with my therapist about this comment. Wait, my mom is on the line, I will put her on the forumphone.

jethro be a caveman

crparmelee · 05-30-2007, 01:25 PM

Quote:

truepursuit - 5/30/2007 10:43 AM

100 hrs x 10gph = 1000 gallons of fuel.

1000 gallons of fuel mixed at 80:1 = 12.5 gallons of 2-stroke oil = filling 2.5 gal. resov. 5 times.

Monetarily its probably a wash. I burn the cheap stuff. About $12/gal.

I suppose its a wash if the 4-stroke uses 12.5 gallons of oil every 100 hours, but its likely to use much less. I have owned 2-stokes and a 4-stroke and the 4 stroke oil costs much less, assuming you do your own oil changes on a reasonable interval. I estimate a 2-stroke uses about 4 to 6 times as much oil as a 4-stroke.

But the 4-stroke oil change can be a PIA until you learn how to do it right.

finman · 05-30-2007, 01:41 PM

I would also like the info onn how too change the 4 stroke oil on my f150s. My boat is docked but I have a trailer and a ramp close by if need be. Id prefer not to take the boat out of the water but can do if needed. if some one copuld give me the step by step in laymens term and where to get this pump it would be greatly appreciated. Ill even go for another wheel for me or the helper. gotta tell you Im a caveman when it comes to this stuff. OCNSIR - you phrased you thread perfectly, Im all about to each his own -some people like 4s some like 2s who cares get what you want and like and stop acting like children over whos is better. they all have there problems and always will. I still think the resale on a 4 will beat a 2 anyday though

DoubleAction · 05-30-2007, 02:00 PM

Quote:

finman - 5/30/2007 12:41 PM
some people like 4s some like 2s who cares get what you want and like and stop acting like children over whos is better.

Amen

finbox · 05-30-2007, 02:14 PM

does not matter...when 4 strokes are too heavy for my boat....

slickster · 05-30-2007, 02:26 PM

My oil changes are 20 minutes per motor, very easy, no mess....I switched to 4 strokes because 2 strokes stink, make a funny noise and filling the oil tank is another thing to keep track of...some 2-strokes add remote oil tanks, another pump, level monitor...etc...to each his own, but the oil changes a big deal?...naw....Mick

high'n'dry · 05-30-2007, 02:35 PM

The oil that runs through and Opti or ETEC is burned, it does not go into the water.

Cracker · 05-30-2007, 02:39 PM

Here is one of the pumps everyone is talking about (not Glen E's). I have the same one one but different name I bought at my Carquest store.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...allpartial/0/0

I know Glen mentioned he liked non labor but to be honest it only takes about 10 easy pumps and your oil is out...Very Easy.

originalsin · 05-30-2007, 02:40 PM

I wonder if there is any future in the three stroke market. I wanna be the captain of the first three stroke bandwagon. Doesn't this sound like a happy medium compromise for the 2 vs 4 debate.

Yo' mama's so fat it takes her two trips to haul a$$.

Has anyone seen my medicine...........

crackerasscracker · 05-30-2007, 02:43 PM

Quote:

high'n'dry - 5/30/2007 1:35 PM

The oil that runs through and Opti or ETEC is burned, it does not go into the water.

all of it? Are you sure about this?

originalsin · 05-30-2007, 02:46 PM

WAIT A D@MN MINUTE.......!!!!!!!

You mean to tell me there is a pump that will get that stuff outta there.

Well I'll be! Would you believe I been trying to siphon that stuff with a series of McDonald's bendy-straws all taped together? It don't work to well and I keep getting oil in my mouth. Anyone who says 2 stroke oil is dirty needs to take a big swig of old 4 stroke oil.

What in the world will they come up with next?