Favorite 2 Cycle Oil

[Dave Barnett]

Just sitting around wondering about the difference in brands. What is everyones favorite brands and reasons why.
I have always used Quick silver. Moreover because it is easy to find just about anywhere and it is supposed to be a high quality oil. Dave

 

[steelespike]

Re: Favorite 2 Cycle Oil

I use the least expensive TCW3 rated oil.My second favorite is TCW3 that is handy.

 

[F_R]

Re: Favorite 2 Cycle Oil

I use the least expensive TCW3 rated oil.My second favorite is TCW3 that is handy.

Any oil that is TC-W3 CERTIFIED with the NMMA logo on the container is just fine. If it has double-talk such as "meets TC-W3 specifications" and doesn't have the NMMA logo, it isn't certified. NMMA is the testing authority, mfrs have to submit their oil for testing to get the certification. If it isn't certified, it either hasn't been submitted for testing, or it was submitted and flunked the test.

There is nothing saying an oil can't be better than it has to be. But the certification is all we have to go by.

Having said all that, I use Penzoil 100% Synthetic TC-W3, for the simple reason that it smokes less and is bio-degradeable. Also the sheen on the water dissipates much quicker. Saves a lot of stares and scowls from the enviro crowd.

 

[JB]

Re: Favorite 2 Cycle Oil

First choice for value: Wal Mart SuperTech.

First choice for quality: Pennzoil full synthetic.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Favorite 2 Cycle Oil

First choice for value: Wal Mart SuperTech.

Running it for a good few years now. No issues at all.

Oh No, another oil thread !!!

 

[ziemann]

Re: Favorite 2 Cycle Oil

nothing creates more controversy here than an oil thread...

Feel free to browse the search function- you will have many hours of entertainment...

 

[robert graham]

Re: Favorite 2 Cycle Oil

I switched from Yamalube to the Pennzoil 100% Synthetic several years ago and the Synthetic burns cleaner with very little smoke, plugs stay clean, piston crowns shiny aluminum. I also use the Yamaha Ringfree all the time. I get the Synthetic at walmart for $27/gallon so it's not the cheapest, but I believe it's worth the money, especially since I tend to keep my motors and boats for many years.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Favorite 2 Cycle Oil

If you use oil supplied by any of the major engine suppliers you will not have any trouble. If you use any of the off-brands that you get in K-Mart, you "may" have trouble. An off-brand is something made by an oil company that does not manufacture engines.

An exception to this rule is AMSOIL, which manufactures all of the Bombardier products under private label.

If you have an old clunker that you only paid $20 for, use whatever. If you value your engine, use what the manufacturer recommends.

TCW-3 is a minimum spec. And thats the problem. Penzoil meets it, Yamalube exceeds it.

 

[AguaSki]

Re: Favorite 2 Cycle Oil

I buy my oil by the gallon container, and usually from Wal-Mart. This may sound odd, but I like Pennzoil from Wal-Mart because the handle on the container is easier to control when pouring. I am not dumb enough to buy oil based solely on the container, but Pennzoil is good quality, and the handle on the container helps me to avoid messy spills. Pennzoil bottles tend to have a handle on the side and the top for easy control. The Supertech stuff is also decent quality, but I find the first few ounces come out messy. For some reason the single handle on the top of the Supertech bottle does not work for me. Maybe the mess issue is just a personal problem, but I always seem to spill a little of the Supertech stuff. In reality anything TCW3 will be fine.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Favorite 2 Cycle Oil

I switched from Yamalube to the Pennzoil 100% Synthetic several years ago and the Synthetic burns cleaner with very little smoke, plugs stay clean, piston crowns shiny aluminum. I also use the Yamaha Ringfree all the time. I get the Synthetic at walmart for $27/gallon so it's not the cheapest, but I believe it's worth the money, especially since I tend to keep my motors and boats for many years.

I'm not sure about that shiny aluminum comment. My oldest "runner" is a 1953 Evinrude and she's pretty greasy on top. My newest is a 2008 Yami ands she's a bit oily too. They both run like a top and the plugs virtually never foul.

My buddy loaned his 1957 Johnson to a friend and he was clueless. He put one tankful of gas thru her with no oil. When we pulled the head those pistons werer shiny alumimum too. Of course one of the rods were protruding thru the crankcase. I never saw an engine that clean inside.

 

[jackd1023]

Re: Favorite 2 Cycle Oil

Advanced auto parts has Penzoil at 15.99 gallon

 

[JB]

Re: Favorite 2 Cycle Oil

If you use oil supplied by any of the major engine suppliers you will not have any trouble. If you use any of the off-brands that you get in K-Mart, you "may" have trouble. An off-brand is something made by an oil company that does not manufacture engines.

An exception to this rule is AMSOIL, which manufactures all of the Bombardier products under private label.

If you have an old clunker that you only paid $20 for, use whatever. If you value your engine, use what the manufacturer recommends.

TCW-3 is a minimum spec. And thats the problem. Penzoil meets it, Yamalube exceeds it.

Absolute hogwash.

No engine manufacturer makes their own oil. They buy it from oil companies that do not make engines.

Pennzoil is made by an oil company. Yamalube is made by some other oil company. Both exceed the TC-W3 spec, as does WalMart SuperTech.

This sort of bovine scat is all over the place and has no factual basis. . .none.

 

[ultra353]

Re: Favorite 2 Cycle Oil

I agree JB. I run the pennzoil synthetic. Not because i thinks its the best, i just like the clean burning and biodegradeable aspect.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Favorite 2 Cycle Oil

Citgo Sea & Snow, $14 a gallon at the Farm & Barn.
Love the smell and smoke.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Favorite 2 Cycle Oil

Absolute hogwash.

No engine manufacturer makes their own oil. They buy it from oil companies that do not make engines.

Pennzoil is made by an oil company. Yamalube is made by some other oil company. Both exceed the TC-W3 spec, as does WalMart SuperTech.

This sort of bovine scat is all over the place and has no factual basis. . .none.

If you put Yamalube in a Yami you will not have an oil related problem. I stand by that statement and I doubt that anybody would disagree with me.

If you had ever experienced a true oil related problem with cheap oil them maybe you wouldn't be so quick to rush to judgement.

I have personally spoken to a Petroleum Engineer who explained the differences. I'll stick with his experience and data.

As I said before the $20 garage sale find doesn't matter. If you pay thyousands for an engine, why would you skimp $20 for oil?

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Favorite 2 Cycle Oil

If you put Yamalube in a Yami you will not have an oil related problem. I stand by that statement and I doubt that anybody would disagree with me.

If you had ever experienced a true oil related problem with cheap oil them maybe you wouldn't be so quick to rush to judgement.

I have personally spoken to a Petroleum Engineer who explained the differences. I'll stick with his experience and data.

As I said before the $20 garage sale find doesn't matter. If you pay thyousands for an engine, why would you skimp $20 for oil?

Did he explain what the TCW-3 rating means ??? what were his issues with the TCW-3 rating ??
I agree with not buying it from a yard or garage sale as you just don't know what you are getting. Otherwise a sealed container from a reputable source of the correct grade oil and you are good to go. That includes Walmart.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Favorite 2 Cycle Oil

Oh No! Another oil debate!

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Favorite 2 Cycle Oil

Oil is oil; Gasoline is gasoline. The whole argumwent is like debating whether Sunoco is better than Mobil.

The fact is they are both burned and used up. You can go round and round with "factual" (actually anecdotal) experiences.

The only real facts I have seen posted in another thread were analyses of various oils, and SURPRISE: Wal Mart Super Tech was right up there near the top, while a couple of engine brand oils were lower down on the scale.

So: put in whatever the hell you want, as long as it is TCW-3 rated and quit arguing about it.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Favorite 2 Cycle Oil

The only oil I wouldn't use is the Citgo because it's made by that communist Venezuelan Hugo Chavez, but otherwise I'm sure it's great oil, think I'll stick wityh my Pennzoil. Good Luck!

 

[21savagefish]

Re: Favorite 2 Cycle Oil

There is an old saying, "Oils aint oils" and it is very true to some degree.

Not all petrol companies produce oil, most simply refine oils to produce petrol (gasoline).

Companies such as mobil (for example) use other smaller companies to blend their oils for them. Mind you though, there is nothing wrong with their products but you can do better by using an oil that comes from a company that specialises in the blending of certain products. Castrol for example. BP didn't have a specilised product so they bought Castrol.

In my opinion, Castrol 2 stroke oil is one of the best products on the market. BUT... if you buy a new Merc (for example) and you don't use the quicksilver stuff then they may void your warranty...or so they say. Short of checking the oil reservoir I don't know how they could tell what you were using unless there is some sort of burn residue they can spot.

The only things that you have to watch out for when buying any oil is the cleanliness of the fluid. Drum oil is dirty oil. Don't listen to what the company says about cleanliness. If you want to know, get a sample lab tested. Most companies won't filter below 20 micron absolute. I post filter all mine to 5 micron absolute. I dont want particles creating sludge in the lines.

One must also look at the extra's they have put in the oil.

I have never been a big fan of synthetic fluids. They do tend to burn cleaner but that is due more to addatives than anything else. Most synthetics have a mineral base.

If you are getting good performance from one type of oil then keep using it. Don't chop and change. Some addatives don't like others although this may not be evident for some time. Pick a good product from the start and keep using it.

Some oils burn hot and some don't. Synthetics tend to burn cleaner because the flash point can be changed. If you up the flash point then the engine can develop more compression before ignition of the oil in the fuel so the lubricating properties of the oil work for longer and the burn is more complete.

We use higher octane fuel down here in Oz. I run 92 to 98 unleaded and that has an impact as well. Last time I was in the US I didn't see any fuels above 90.

Hope this all adds to the confusion.

Cheers