4 stroke oil change

[BillP]

Re: 4 stroke oil change

Originally posted by Old Curmudgeon:<br /> Do you own a 4 stroke and store it? If so what type of oil do you use and have you pulled the valve covers and checked for corrosion?<br /><br />I have a 2004 DF140, my boat is usually inactive from November to March, and I've used AmsOil 10-40 marine 4 stroke since the 20 hr check. And yes, I saw the valves at the 100 hour this summer, they were clean, and required no adjustment. I also previously owned a DT140 for 15 years, a Johnson 70 for 15, and ran synthetics for most of their lives. Only internal problems came from fuel issues before I started using a stabilizer. I've also run 3 vehicles over 450k on synthetics, from Alaska to Florida, and none were repaired/replaced because of internal engine problems. Yeah, I have some practical test data, so lighten up, you're not the only one around with some experience.<br /><br />I'm not surprized you had a problem with rusting valve trains considering where you "hang" your boat. I've found saltwater environments to be corrosive to just about anything metal, stainless included, and particularly when in close proximity 24/7. Don't know about now, but when I lived on the FL coast it was an expected part of daily life.<br /><br />I threw the BS flag because you made a blanket assessment of synthetics that made no sense. That you then clarified by specifying base stocks made even less sense considering none of us use base stocks, but only market products be they synthetic or dino. I personally don't care if folks use synthetics or not; they work for me and have for a long time. <br /><br />PAKev, most outboard manufacturers are giving synthetics a whirl; call your dealer and follow his recommendations.

You make it hard to stay on topic and you also embellish meanings to my postings that are out of context. <br /><br />What's in the base stock is important to me whether you think it's BS or not. No need to lecture me on any of this and nowhere did I mention about my experience being more or less than anyone else. However, you may want to increase yours. Ridicule from someone who doesn't agree with me isn't doing anything for the discussion. Just post something constructive to answer PAKev's questions and forget I exist.

 

[BillP]

Re: 4 stroke oil change

Originally posted by Robby6950:<br />

Originally posted by BillP:<br /> On the otherhand, my 50hp 4 stroke using Merc brand 4 stroke 10/30 dino oil started rusting on the valve springs when sitting 2-3 months. That was in 1997 when the motor was one yr old. I changed to 25/40 oil(same brand)and the problem went away...still have the motor and it still sits months in a harsh climate (on a boat lift hanging over saltwater) between use.<br /><br />Ok, the rants over. Slam away.<br />l8r

Agree with you Bill on 90%. Oil will not pick up THAT much crap in one little fishing outing-I'd use that oil until end of NEXT season. I change my oil in my many motorcycles ONCE A YEAR-fall. Change it, drive 30 miles to the nearest gas for fresh, and home until next season. And the newest is 21 years old. THATS old school PROOF. But Bill, a question. Ever check the valve springs in the car that sits right near the salt water too? (And why are we pulling valve covers?) )Just curious. But anyway, my take is ANY valve spring rust is caused by water in the oil, a by-product of combustion, and means the oil is not getting hot enough to vaporize it. Maybe condensation, but I live just off salt (wind/rain leaves a white streak on closed shed door bottoms over winter), and I have many exposed motors sitting out side with just covering of WD or plain old cheap oil sprayed over. Oh well, looks like I need a too start ANOTHER experiment. I'll grab some old valve springs, 2 each dock, outside covered bench, and, some oil, and away we go until spring...<br />PS. Seeing as how winterizing is the new word lately, I always tape off my gas tank vents, and plastic bags over carbs, but don't worry about exhaust........

My cars never sit long enough to let the oil film drain off so I never worry about top end rust. The reason I take valve covers off on my OB is because they need adjusting...otherwise I look through the large fill cap with a flashlight. But there are good reasons to take the covers off to check a stored motor. Here's a first hand example: I had an airplane that ocassionally sat a month or two between engine runs. I took the valve covers off to adjust valves and found water grouped on one end of the head...and only on one head (4 cyl opposed). The motor slanted up a tad and the high part collected moisture. The exhausts were straight open pipe and maybe 4' long. Day to day heating and cooling sucked moisture in and it stayed. The only way to keep it out was to block the pipes and carb. <br /><br />The only thing I do to store ob motors is run double oil through and shutdown with the choke on. I have 3 motors (owned them between 24 & 29 yrs)that sit approx a yr between running and never had a problem with them rusting (I also have two others that run often enough to keep corrosion away). I use dino oil because it is proven to "work for me". The film it leaves behind has always been a good corrosion inhibitor except for the 4 stroke. It is the ONLY engine I've had corrosion problems with...out of maybe 25 motors in 40+ yrs. Going heavier vis took care of the problem. No mo fo strokes fo me.<br /><br />Do your dip tests, they are interesting. I hope you post the results. You may want to clean those old valve springs first. Old parts are usually seasoned enough to keep corrosion away longer.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: 4 stroke oil change

How is it possible to argue over an oil change?

 

[LubeDude]

Re: 4 stroke oil change

Originally posted by INTERNETOUTBOARDS:<br /> How is it possible to argue over an oil change?

Its good to see that oil posts can get out of shape whitout my help.

 

[imported_Curmudgeon]

Re: 4 stroke oil change

Just post something constructive to answer PAKev's questions and forget I exist.<br /><br />I did, and I have; you should, as well. Roger wilco, over and out!

 

[TheOilDoc]

Re: 4 stroke oil change

Yamaha's instructions for storing the F150 can be obtained HERE.<br /><br />Yamaha only requires that you fog the engine. And conventional oil seems to be just fine. No mention of synthetic. But what do they know.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: 4 stroke oil change

Interesting thread. I sometimes (?) get stupid and forget some motors need valve adjustments! Harley's all hydraulic, as the 350SBC boat, and the rest 2 smokes. Doing salted out manifolds (350) now, and the all the 2 cycles are put to sleep. I hate salt. And 4 stroke OB's too. Sick of changing oil...maybe I can figure out a way to change the weather!