opps wrong oil

[phbksb]

I was winterizing my 90 hp. 1983 Merc. Ob. In my boats built in gas tank I poured a 16 oz. can of SeaFoam a quart of (5w30) Penzoil, 12 gal. of unleaded, a quart of Penzoil outboard motor oil and another 12 Gal. of unleaded. Then I took the boat to the lake and went for a spin around the lake. The motor ran fine. Probably used up about 4 Gal. of gas. When I got home I was looking at the empty oil bottles and realized what I had done. What do you think I should do now?

 

[boat1010]

Re: opps wrong oil

Maybe I am just not understanding what you are saying. What is it you put in there you shouldn't have?

 

[phbksb]

Re: opps wrong oil

I put a quart of 5 W 30 Penzoil motor oil in my gas tank by mistake. The outboard motor oil bottle is the same color and looks like the regular motor oil bottle.

 

[boat1010]

Re: opps wrong oil

OK I'm with ya now. I guess my answer to you is if the motor seems ok now, just get rid of the gas you mixed. Mix up some that is good and go out and run it to see if you did any damage.

 

[sschefer]

Re: opps wrong oil

What you should do now is just say... Ooops. I would refrain from running it at full throttle until you burn through a half tank of gas or so then use the right oil and things should be right back to normal. The SeaFoam should abate the carbon deposits and any plug fowling. I think you've proven that in your run around the lake.

If you're paranoid about it then drain the tank but you should know that before there was special two cycle oil we used 30w.

 

[DuckOfDeath]

Re: opps wrong oil

I'd probably be too cheap to dump 20 gallons. I'd reason that the seafoam would prevent most of the ash buildup that would result from using a single quart of the 5w30 mixed in with 24 gallons of gas.

 

[jeff_smith_0423]

Re: opps wrong oil

Dilution is the solution. It'll probably burn off just fine. You might load up your plugs or rings. Once you've cleared all of the mix out of the tank you'll probably want to do a full proper decarb.

 

[j_martin]

Re: opps wrong oil

I'd probably be too cheap to dump 20 gallons. I'd reason that the seafoam would prevent most of the ash buildup that would result from using a single quart of the 5w30 mixed in with 24 gallons of gas.

You can run the gas in lawn mowers, old pickups, etc. It probably would hurt a modern overcontrolled and overcatalyzed automotive engine.

Don't know for sure if it'd hurt much. I burn used automotive oil for fuel, and it really makes a lot of ash.

my 02
John

 

[phbksb]

Re: opps wrong oil

Thanks guys for your thoughts about this. I think I like the idea of not running the motor over 1/2 throttle until I use up this gas, and put in a new set of plugs. I don't know what I would do with 20 Gal. of this gas if I siphoned it out.

 

[joed]

Re: opps wrong oil

I got rid of my last bunch of old gas by dumping it in a rental car I had do to being rear ended at a stop light.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: opps wrong oil

Paul, That automotive multi-vis oil is pretty bad for your outboard. I would get rid of it. I suppose you could mix a gal of it into 12 gal of regular fuel mixture, and be OK.

You might PM the Oil Doc and see what he thinks...

 

[sschefer]

Re: opps wrong oil

Now there's a plan.. 19.00 a day rental car beats buying 5, 5 gal cans and watching the gas go bad just sitting there.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: opps wrong oil

I would not think that 1 quart diluted into 24 gallons would be a big deal. If it were me, I would go ahead and put at least 1/2 quart of outboard oil to the tank (since you are down 4 gallons now) and keep a watch on your plugs. Each time you use the boat, I would continue to fill the tank to continue diluting the mistaken mix. Once you have successfully replaced 24 gallons of fuel, you are in the clear...

 

[JB]

Re: opps wrong oil

Hmmmmm. Sort of like putting half salt instead of all sugar on your oatmeal.

I don't think one quart in 24 gallons is going to do any harm. You also have a quart of TC-W3 in there, along with various other chemicals and secret ingredients.

I would use it like a correct mix and in the future I would store outboard oil and motor oil seperately.

Outboards will tolerate a lot of mistakes that outboard owners freak out about.

After all, it is only a Mercury. . .not like it was a JohnnyRude or other great one. Heeehehehehe!!

 

[phbksb]

Re: opps wrong oil

Thanks again guys. For all your thoughts about what to do for my wrong oil problem. I have had this boat and motor for 25 years. Ive treated it well and it has returned the favor. I will keep adding fresh gas, outboard motor oil and SeaFoam each time I take it out. I want so say I love Iboats and this forum. Lots of great information for any body that's into boating.

 

[northernmerc]

Re: opps wrong oil

Thanks again guys. For all your thoughts about what to do for my wrong oil problem. I have had this boat and motor for 25 years. Ive treated it well and it has returned the favor. I will keep adding fresh gas, outboard motor oil and SeaFoam each time I take it out. I want so say I love Iboats and this forum. Lots of great information for any body that's into boating.

That sounds like a good plan. I did something similar this year and used a crappy 2 cycle oil not rated for outboards for one tank. That's all we had available. Later, I diluted what was left with a good quality mix.

By the way, what is SeaFoam?

 

[corm]

Re: opps wrong oil

Hi,

The problem with detergent auto engine oil is the Phosphorus that they use in it to keep the inside clean. The zinc in it does not bother me as much.
When they first came along with the unleaded gas it had Phosphorus in it to replace the lead and when run in outboard engine it would wear out the pistons.
Mercury even had a Service Bulletin on it. The oil companies changed the gas formula once the problems started showing up. I do not know how they changed it to stop the accelerated wear. Just from rebuilding a lot of engines during that transition time period I would not take the chance and dump the gas. I know it is probably only 900 to 1000 ppm but I would not run it in mine.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: opps wrong oil

Hi,

The problem with detergent auto engine oil is the Phosphorus that they use in it to keep the inside clean. The zinc in it does not bother me as much.
When they first came along with the unleaded gas it had Phosphorus in it to replace the lead and when run in outboard engine it would wear out the pistons.
Mercury even had a Service Bulletin on it. The oil companies changed the gas formula once the problems started showing up. I do not know how they changed it to stop the accelerated wear. Just from rebuilding a lot of engines during that transition time period I would not take the chance and dump the gas. I know it is probably only 900 to 1000 ppm but I would not run it in mine.

Only one quart in 25 years, and diluted in 24 gallons of fuel, I dought if it is even 500ppm of the phosphorus in it. With constant and ongoing dilution, he will be fine. I woul dnot worry one bit.

Is it recommended, no. Will it do long term damamge, only if repeated over and over... Shake off the mistake and enjoy your boat without worry...