2 Stroke Oil

[Chaz Hickcox]

Just out of curiosity, is it harmful to mix brands of 2-stroke motor oil?  I have a bad oil guage which makes it unable to tell me when the oil is getting low.  Instead of spending $300 bucks on a new system I just put oil in when I fill the gas tank, or as needed.   I have been using the Evenrude oil, but I want to try the Pennzoil Marine Motoroil, but don't want to just mix them.  I think if I use the same WD rating it should be fine, but I don't know.

[Jig Man]

In today's world the companies have done a lot to lessen warranty issues by coming up with forumlas that are specifically designed to run in their engines.  I personally would not change.

[Way2slow]

Run Penzoil full synthetic and don't worry about it.  I only run the manufactors recommended oil in DFI motors but in my carburated and hot rod motors I've been running Penzoil synthetic for years.

[Chaz Hickcox]

In today's world the companies have done a lot to lessen warranty issues by coming up with forumlas that are specifically designed to run in their engines. I personally would not change.

Warranty is no issues, my engine is 'yesterday's' 1993 Johnson.  I just want to ensure the most out of my engine.

[bass or bass ?]

I use Pennzoil synthetic in my 1967 Evinrude 80.

[ohioriverrat]

I use whatever is on sale. Goes for boat, weedeaters, chainsaws, and anything else that requires mix. Never a problem in anything I have ever owned.

[MSPbass]

Wow! I just got my first engine and ran into this problem when I started winterizing last night! I have a Johnson 40 VRO and what's left in tank is red. I, however, got some marine 2-stroke oil and it's blue. I had no idea until I opened the caps for both and then I panicked a little.

After researching on the Internet, texting a couple buddies and calling a parts shop, I decided it was OK to mix; but I know not everyone agrees with that. I came away with: if it's "TCW-3" it should be OK to mix. Maybe not the way to go with big new engines, but for smaller, older, outboards the consensus was that it's OK. I will stay with this same brand from here on out though.

[Sam]

According to what I have been told, each motor manufacturer suggests the oil to use.

I use Mercury oil for my Mercury motor even though I could purchase less expensive oil.

Just my two cents.