W.O.T. - Does it hurt?

[Carphunter]

I have heard different opinions on running an outboard at W.O.T. Some people say it will not hurt the engine, while others say you should not run at W.O.T for extended periods of time. What are your opinions? For reference, I have a 1980 Johnson 115.

 

[CARLOS]

Re: W.O.T. - Does it hurt?

Hi caphunter,<br /><br />There are many post for WOT in this site.<br />I recommend you to "search" and fill "WOT" and you will find many opinions about this item.<br />In my case, MARINER 275 I always run at 3800-4000 and the motor runs good and more gas economy.<br />Regards<br /><br />Carlos S.<br />Venezuela

 

[bonitoman]

Re: W.O.T. - Does it hurt?

With me there are two speeds in my boat. Idle and wot 5800 rpm. You will find that people who baby there engines are the ones with problems, especially fuel. Two strokes are designed to run wide open. If your not comfortable at wot then cruise between 5000-5500 and let your engine breath. What kills engines are two things. Lack of lubrication and running to hot. If you have that under control you are fine.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: W.O.T. - Does it hurt?

Think of it this way - its a needle bearing two-stroke motor. There are no valves to hit when the lifters collapse or you bend a push rod. Lugging or "over propping" a two-stroke will do way more harm than letting it turn up.<br /><br />Theres a lot to what bonitoman says. You can look at two identical motors on two identical boats with identical loads and if one is propped out in the low 5000 range and the other one is at 6000, the one in the low 5000 range will coke up and stick rings much sooner than the other one.<br /><br />All of my motors (stock) are capable of at least 5800. One is able to get just over 7000. They will run there all day or they will cruise around at 4500 and be extremly happy. I have never decarboned them because they dont carbon or coke up. My old modified motor is capable of 9500+ and burns cleanest of all of them.<br /><br />Lug 'em and kill 'em or twist 'em and run 'em.