Aspen Fuel - Small Outboard

[Mark-1]

I have been told that ob oil should have TCW3 in it , not sure aspen does , it’s to do with running temp .

Thanks for that clear answer.

I've googled and it sounds like it's the chainsaw engine that will suffer if I get it wrong rather than the OBs so errr... shrug.

In practice I'm pretty sure that any oil I get will outperform the Oregon Mineral Chainsaw oil I have been using. I'd assumed its main advantage was that it was biodegradable and cheap, not it was any good!

 

[ylop]

Of course I’m spreading the cost of the additive, I use 50-60 litres of outboard fuel over just the summer, my mini ‘chase boat’ and main engine. Plus I don’t buy my additive at a swindlery

I don't think anyone, even Aspen, is advocating that it is a sensible solution for large volume users like you and refueller. The target market it for people using small engines and burning relatively little fuel.

Does Sta-bil work, and crucially *how* does it work?

On the face of it it looks brilliant, someone like me could just use it for the last two months of the season so any dregs are still fine in spring.

I used to use it (may not have been that brand) in a rib towards the end of the season. I was never sure when the last day of use would be, depending on weather, work etc. So from late august onwards I would add it to my fuel. Never had any issues starting whether than was in Oct, Jan, Apr etc. I can't say for sure it made any difference as it might have been the fuel would have been fine without treatment.

Thanks for that clear answer.

I've googled and it sounds like it's the chainsaw engine that will suffer if I get it wrong rather than the OBs so errr... shrug.

In practice I'm pretty sure that any oil I get will outperform the Oregon Mineral Chainsaw oil I have been using. I'd assumed its main advantage was that it was biodegradable and cheap, not it was any good!

Chainsaws, strimmers, old mopeds etc run on air cooled engines which run hotter than outboards. So the preferred oil composition is different. I once ran a tank of fuel through a 20HP Yamaha with motorbike 2 stroke oil when I realised I'd forgotten to bring spare and no obvious harm was done. Some research at the time suggested because it was colder it was likely to soot up the plugs etc. Aspen comes in 2 varieties Aspen 2 and Aspen 4. Aspen 2 is pre-mixed with 2 stroke oil for air cooled engines. Its not intended for outboards. Aspen 4 is intended for 4 stroke engines but can also be mixed with the TCW3 oil of your choice to use in a 2 stroke outboard. If your aim of using Aspen is to reduce the risk of "hassle" then using Aspen 2 in an outboard seems counter intuitive. Similarly you probably don't want to use TCW3 in a chainsaw but I know a number of people who used to solve the "old fuel in the outboard" problem by using it in their lawnmower etc - so its presumably not catastrophic overnight.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Aspen 2 also does not use marine grade 2 stroke oil, which is primarily about environmental damage, though also plug oiling at the lower running temperatures. Hence their recommendation not to use it in outboards. The Aspen 4 plus marne pre mix oil is th3 way to go if you feel you need to.

 

[25931]

Well only if you amortise the cost of the additive across the volume - if you mean actual cash outlay first time it works out about the same!

Super Unleaded - £1.65/L x5 = £8.25
Sta-Bil preservative - £15.95 (120mL - you only need 15mL to treat 5L so for tender duties it will last years, until you lose the bottle!)
5L plastic can with spout = £6.00
===
£30.20 (or £24.00 if you already have a can)

OR

Aspen - 5L = £24.00
Pouring spout = £3.90
===
£27.90

So yes when you come to need a 'refill' you are looking at 24.00 v 8.25 - but the reason people buy Aspen is because they are very low volume users (you can even buy a litre at a time for £5.75 and probably don't need a spout) - so on actual cash outlay it is not as ridiculous as made out. I'd never have done it when I owned a rib burning 30L a day, but for an 2HP on a tender doing 100-150m a few dozen times a season its not so crazy. If someone keeps an o/b for 10 years, and uses 2L a year, you are looking at £55 v £100 - compared to the cost of the engine that is insignificant.

(You may be able to find preservative cheaper - that's the price my local Chandlery sells it).

Just don't ask for preservative in Portugal - that's a condom.

 

[Koeketiene]

Just don't ask for preservative in Portugal - that's a condom.

In France as well