Mixing Two Stroke Fuel?

[popperpitcher]

Although I am very familiar with boating/boatbuilding/design, I have not done much outboard powered boating. So please bear with me on this mundane question.

I have a 6hp Yamaha 2 stroke with 6 gal tank. I have read the manual on line and it says 100:1 fuel:oil mix. Local shops say 50:1 mix. Will the 50:1 mix cause problems?

What is the best/easiest way to measure and mix oil/gas. I have a 2.5 gal plastic gas can and the 6 gal tank that came with the motor. I just bought a quart of marine 2 cycle oil and some stabil.

Any assistance appreciated.

[OkobojiEagle]

Years ago manufacturers would recommend "breaking in" a new small outboard with 50:1 and then use 100:1. Over the past decade or two I've only seen 50:1 recommendations for all-around use. 100:1 will give you less smoke from the outboard but will not lubricate the internal parts as well.

I buy my marine oil in pints and mix one pint in a six gallon container. Stabil is good insurance if you aren't going to go through the six gallons inside of a month and I consider it a necessity when storing gas through winter.

oe

[(='_'=)]

well, i also use 50:1....

if you add too much oil, the worst it could happen is to have the spark plugs wet in oil, so you would have a poor combustion, too much smoke, and maybe the motor wouldnt start, but you can always drain the tank and put new gas/oil in there...

if you use too little oil, you risk lack of lubrication, which could cause a permanent damage to the motor...

and for mixing, i use this:

http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_13891_-1?Ntt=mixing+&Ntk=All

it is a graduated bottle, with several different ratios marked, so you know how much amount of oil to add for any amount of gas you can to put....

[popperpitcher]

Thanks guys, sounds like 50:1 is the way to go. Lubrication of machinery is important. That mixing bottle is probably the way to go!

[slonezp]

50:1 is recommended for most outboards. Here's a chart for mixing

http://www.onlineoutboards.com/Oil-and-Gas-Mixture-Ratios.html

[BKeith]

I would find some way to double check that 100:1 recommendation.

There is a little more involved with over oiling than just the extra smoke. It causes excess carbon buildup on the pistons and heads, which over times breaks loose and works just like course sand paper on the pistons and cylinders. Cheap oil even adds greatly to that problem. Carbon is extremely hard and when those little chips come loose, they are little grinding stones. This greatly shortens an engines life. I would run one tank with two ounces of SeaFoam per gallon every 15 - 20 hours and make some WOT runs with it to help keep the piston domes clean. This is if it's really rated for 100:1 and you double oil it with 50:1. I decarb one with SeaFoam every 50 hours when using the proper oil ratio.

[dcwilmer]

i used to use 50:1 till i got my new boat which mixes it on its own. You cant really go wrong with that mixture and worst that will happen is maybe gum some things up which you can easily clean out.

[NebraskaBasser]

Here's another mixing "tool": http://www.amazon.com/Unknown-RATIO-RITE-Ratio-Rite-Measuring/dp/B0045L9FJM (not recommending Amazon - link is only for reference).

I've had one ever since riding two-stroke dirt bikes, but works GREAT to measure exact ratios for however much gas you're mixing, for whatever your mixing it for - motorcycles, lawn-mowers, chain-saws, etc. - anything that's two-stroke including outboards!

[RobertBG]

Here's another mixing "tool": http://www.amazon.co...g/dp/B0045L9FJM (not recommending Amazon - link is only for reference).

I've had one ever since riding two-stroke dirt bikes, but works GREAT to measure exact ratios for however much gas you're mixing, for whatever your mixing it for - motorcycles, lawn-mowers, chain-saws, etc. - anything that's two-stroke including outboards!

once you said dirt bikes I knew it was a ratio rite before I clicked the link

[NebraskaBasser]

once you said dirt bikes I knew it was a ratio rite before I clicked the link

<lol> Yeah, I've been a fan of the Ratio-Rite "cup" for a L-O-N-G time! I even gave one to each of my kids when they started out on their own. Although there may be other options "designed" for outboards, etc. it seems like I'm always adding something... like Sea Foam, Marvel Mystery Oil, "lead" additive (for my '50's outboards), etc. to my fuel where the Ratio-Rite cup is invaluable!

I don't know how readily available they are... but besides online, they should be available at most ATV/motorcycle shops. Once you own one, you'll wonder how you ever got along without one!!

[jhoffman]

the academy link is the same bottle i own, it has oz as well as graduations from 25:1 to 100:1... you just fill it right to the line of how much gas is going in. When putting in things like seafoam you measure it out by the oz