2 stroke longevity?

[Jimwhall]

My BiL bought at 2 stroke PWC last year and uses the hell out of it. It's a '97. Yes it's rough but he got it just to see if he wanted to do a PWC at all. Turns out he does.

I'd kind of like to do the same thing, but I've read that they haven't made 2 stroke PWC's in 15 years and they were only built to last 10. I'm on a strict budget as I want to just try it for a summer or two (anything else is bonus), but it won't make sense if the thing just won't run. Is it true the 2 strokes sold on marketplace are basically dead boats running?

 

[Lou C]

It's probably true that a 2 stroke won't last as long as a 4, but it really depends on the quality of the fuel/oil mix and user habits. If you can remove the exhaust or intake and view the cylinders you can tell if they are scored or not. This is easy to do on small yard engines but not sure how involved on a jet ski. I have 5 different 2 stroke yard engines (weed wacker, hedge trimmer, blower, chain saw and snow blower) they are all over 20 years old and all are in good shape, with good compression. But all have always been run on proper 2 stroke mixed fuel.

 

[cyclops222]

Just remember the golden rule of PWC.
Race the daylights out of the engine !!!!!!
Every second you can !!
Need anymore information about how PWC engines are treared.

 

[dingbat]

If 2S are only good for 10 years, I sure got my money worth out of the 1990 3pg Robbins motor in my golf cart. Runs on 128:1 fuel with a 10 micron (EFI) in-line fuel filter

2 strokes don't tolerate fuel related issues nearly as well as a 4 stroke.
Water in the fuel, dirty air cleaner and running lean will kill one in a heart beat.

 

[Lou C]

That and mistakenly running straight gas unless its oil injected…
I love my 3 Echo machines they just run and run and when you need parts they are easy to find, my Husky saw is more temperamental, the Suzuki 2 stroke in my snow blower is great but the carb does better when drained in the off season so I added a shut off valve….

 

[racerone]

Two strokes last a long time.----Most end up on the scrap heap because of mistreatment / mistakes made by owners.-----Ever see a jet skier in operation ?----near constant idle to full throttle all afternoon long.----I call them ----" bumble bees "

 

[Scott Danforth]

two strokes rarely wear out. most are murdered by people running straight gas in them, or they let them sit to the point of rust in the bores.

 

[cyclops222]

Evinrude 1986 and a 1999 every May1 to Oct. 1 Every decent day. 50 and 100 to 1 ratios. Only Marine Hi Test.

 

[dingbat]

I have 5 different 2 stroke yard engines (weed wacker, hedge trimmer, blower, chain saw and snow blower) they are all over 20 years old and all are in good shape, with good compression.

I spent the money and went commercial on both my string trimmer (shindiawa) and chain saw (Stihl 026).

Wish I could find a blower that makes it more than a couple of seasons before the castings (engine) starts breaking up.

 

[arks]

I have a ‘97 Seadoo GTI (2 stroke) and a ‘85 Evinrude 25 (2 stroke).
Both run fine- but, then again, I know how to care for them.

 

[airshot]

I spent the money and went commercial on both my string trimmer (shindiawa) and chain saw (Stihl 026).

Wish I could find a blower that makes it more than a couple of seasons before the castings (engine) starts breaking up.

My cheap ole Poison blower is almost 15 years old and runs like a top as is my old McColough chain saw, that one is about 30 yrs old......nothing but Pennzoil two stroke oil....

 

[Scott06]

My BiL bought at 2 stroke PWC last year and uses the hell out of it. It's a '97. Yes it's rough but he got it just to see if he wanted to do a PWC at all. Turns out he does.

I'd kind of like to do the same thing, but I've read that they haven't made 2 stroke PWC's in 15 years and they were only built to last 10. I'm on a strict budget as I want to just try it for a summer or two (anything else is bonus), but it won't make sense if the thing just won't run. Is it true the 2 strokes sold on marketplace are basically dead boats running?

As others have stated depends on how they are maintained. We have a2004 sea doo GTI rfi le , bought it with 100 or so hours and have had it 14 years and up around 300 now. I won’t say it runs perfectly but it has been easy on the wallet if you can turn some wrenches.

parts are fairly cheap as are reman 2 stroke long blocks if you have an issue

 

[Mc Tool]

two strokes rarely wear out. most are murdered by people running straight gas in them, or they let them sit to the point of rust in the bores.

yes , and the crankshaft assy can also rust and thats probly worse

 

[Pmt133]

Honestly, depends on the engine and maintenance. Some aren't known for being super reliable and most all others are. The yamaha 1200 with a power valve comes to mind for unreliable and even that is more a lack of service than it being bad... the bigger issue is that lack of service coupled with electrical bits that are getting hard to find in some instances.

They do absolutely drink fuel though.

 

[cyclops222]

Old 2 strokes are lasting forever compared to a modern 4 stroke with computer control.

Modern 4 strokes by Yamaha still are using JUNK grades of recycled Aluminum for exhaust castings. NO way you can get around junk castings.
Just keep begging a dealer for help.

 

[Jimwhall]

Thank you everyone. And I appreciate the perspective.
I actually like my 2 strokes. I have several non marine and an old OMC/Johnson SPL that run like champs with rec gas. I do admittedly sometimes over-oil the gas a bit. I had an old '69 Evinrude that was as reliable as a slant 6.

So it sounds like the PWC 2 strokes aren't really built that different longevity wise from say the old 2 strokes I ran for years.

 

[cyclops222]

I would hope they are built more cheaply for greater profits. That is why we are in business. To make more profits.

 

[Mc Tool]

I would hope they are built more cheaply for greater profits. That is why we are in business. To make more profits.

History would suggest ( particularly in America ) that machines could be made to last longer than the guy working it and at a profit . Now days there are to many freeloaders clipping the ticket , people or organisations injecting themselves into the process and then demanding payment . Im thinkin health and safety ( gotta have it to some degree but they have over- intruded ), bureaucracy and red tape . And the primary concern of manufacturers today is to make profit , they have lost sight of the value in providing the consumer with a quality product....well not completely .
Every so often we hear of a company going bust because of warranty claims and Im thinking that its not because they didnt know how to make the thing but because they trimmed it to much , pushed their luck to far .
I like old stuff better

 

[Scott Danforth]

my old McColough chain saw, that one is about 30 yrs old.....

Pro-Mac 610? If so, closer to 40 years old

 

[tphoyt]

I read a story once about a Chinese tool manufacturer that refused to keep making a product for a company because they kept asking them to cut corners and the product became unreliable and gave the manufacturer a bad name. It all comes down to the ones that think how can I can the most money.