Outboard Advice needed please

[DavidofMersea]

I have just bought my first cruiser, and it his two outboards, a Mariner for the boat and a 4 HP Johnson for the dinghy.

I am unsure about the fuel for these two outboards.

The Johnson has a handbook which says 100:1. The Handbook suggests using special Johnson oil. I am not sure where I can get this - my friend says that he just uses the same 20-50 that he puts in his car - Is the Johnson oil just a further sales product, and is it OK to use 20 - 50 as my friend does?

The Mariner was sold to me as a 9.9 two stroke, which it probably is, but I cannot find anything on the outboard to confirm this. There is no handbook. Assuming it is a 9.9 two stroke, do I put fuel in at 100:1, and if so, what oil? More 20 -50 or do Mariner have a special oil?

 

[pessimist]

Can't help with the ratio, but I'd be chary of using 20/50. Proper two stroke oil will mix much more easily. Doesn't have to be any particular manufacturer though.

 

[Gordonmc]

I can't give specifics on these engines, but in general terms ordinary 20-50 shouldn't be used as its not suitable for mixing and combustion.
Its not necessary to use a manufacturer's own oil, but do get outboard 2-stroke oil as outboards run cooler than motorbikes or even lawn mowers etc.
As to the mix, many people advise that despite what handbooks say 50:1 is better than 100:1.
Just make sure the 9.9 isn't the oil-injection model. If so it will have an integral oil tank. Fill that tank with o/b oil and run on straight unleaded.

 

[DavidofMersea]

Thanks for that . What does an integal oil tank look like? and where do I find it? Presumably it needs oil putting in.

I cannot find a model number on the Mariner, is the one? and if so where?

 

[FullCircle]

Dont go exotic on the oil - dont use the expensive anti ashing formulas on motorcycles. Use a lawnmower two stroke oil, but not 20/50 (ok in emergency) long term.
The mix should be between 50:1 and 100:1, and the more oil, the more smoke, the more chance of fouling a plug prematurely. No big deal.
If you can find the build plate on the mariner, it will give you the actual model and serial number so you can look up the model history and recommendations on the web. It should be around the swivel plate on the neck of the outboard.

 

[DavidofMersea]

Thanks for that. I have had a good look around the swivel plate and I can't see it. I looks as if it has been repainted, or at least touched up, was it just painted on?

 

[FullCircle]

David,
it should be a stamped aluminium plate rivetted on.

See if you can locate your engine here....
Mercury/Mariner outboards

 

[DavidofMersea]

Thanks for that Jim. This web site seems to be for the Austrialia area - Do you know a good Esssex agent?

There is no aluminium plate - I am starting to wonder if this outboard has been nicked. I would like to know now, whilst I can get hold of the chap that I bought it off

 

[Kawasaki]

Yeh you don,t need Johnson oil, stay away from20/50. If 9.9 has a plastic tank under the cowl with a srew top it,s injection, then it will like "injection oil "which has different properties to "pre mix"Both ratios will be the same if they are both pre mix.FullCircle,s advice on ratio is good enough. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[cliff]

Try http://www.marinepower.com

 

[VicS]

An excellent place for advice on outboards is the iBoats forums at
http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi
where you will find separate boards for each make. You will need to give the model details including year and/or model number though but the experts there will help you locate these. The Johny number is usually on a plate on the mounting clamp but may also be on a plug on one side of the cylinder block (the later is more reliable in cases where engines have been cannibalised) I dont know about the Mariner.

Once you know the model numbers this site http://www.storesonline.com/site/573683/page/599222 will tell you the year and confirm the hp

I agree with others that car engine oil is not suitable for two stroke outboards. You should use a two stroke outboard oil complying with a TC-W spec. Lawnmower or motorcycle oils are not suitable either because outboards being water cooled run much cooler so need a lighter oil. (Hence the W) If in doubt then 50:1 is the mix to use unless very old when they might need a bit more oil

Re the bit about oil injection I did not think that was done on small engines, just biguns.

Always ask for the owners manual. That solves many problems and is not likely to be available for a stolen engine

 

[andy_wilson]

Poor Outboard Advice

20W 50 is designed to lubricate, not burn away.You will eventually cause problems if you use that in any 2 stroke engine.

Lawn mower oil is pretty unsuitable too. That is made for an air cooled engine that runs far hotter than a water cooled outboard. Ash and deposits will not be effectively dissipated when this is used in an outboard.

For a couple of quid extra per season get TWC-2 or TWC-3. The smoke will be less and the plugs will stay clean forever.

I use 100:1 for my Johnson 4, can't help with the Mariner, but a good rule is 50:1 for engines that run at high loads or rev's, 100:1 for light load or rev's. Engines with separate tanks for oil and variable mixing systems run usually between 40 or 50:1 at full chat and 150:1 at idle and very low speed.

Loads of new engines (designed with new oils in mind) use 100:1.

 

[pheonix]

MY MERCURY 5HP HAS THE SERIAL No STAMPED ON WHAT APEARS TO BE AN ENGINE CORE PLUG ON THE ENGINE BLOCK

 

[VicS]

Yes that is just what I was refering to wrt the Johnson. My Evinrude is maked like that but the ignition electronics have to be removed to actually read it.

please don't shout though!