Tell me about 2 stroke oil - 1200cc 135hp PWC

[AS]

A 2 stroke oil injected PWC was included in the purchase of our cottage (aka lake house in America). It runs great, no idea what the previous owner used in it for oil. My fishing boat has a 1988 Merc 60 premix and I use Motomaster Marine or Castrol Outboard oil in it. I used to use Quicksilver before the price literally doubled. Another option that's readily available is Pennzoil Marine Premium Plus.

With a much more powerful engine in the PWC, I want to learn more about the oil.

If it's all NMMA TCW3 does it matter beyond that?
What's the difference between marine 2 stroke oil and snowmobile that's also TCW3 - additive for cold?
What the difference between Motomaster Marine Outboard ($70 for 5L) and Motomaster Powersport ($68 for 4L) 2 stroke oil?

 

[JohnnyG]

Great questions! I don't have much knowledge on 2 stroke oils, so I can't answer. I have wondered about those same things though.
I'm certain that someone here will give us a few answers.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

Just use Maxima Super M and rest easy. I've built and rebuilt more jet skis than I can remember.

 

[AS]

Just use Maxima Super M and rest easy. I've built and rebuilt more jet skis than I can remember.

Unfortunately, it's $100/gallon and I would need to order it.

 

[Cujet]

If it is a Yamaha GP1200, it likely spec's Yamalube 2W. Which is a bit more robust than the otherwise excellent Penzoil TCW3 syn blend. Same goes for the Polaris 3 cylinder 2 stroke.

Almost always, PWC engines specify an oil that is engineered for the 'engine in question'. There are valid reasons for this. From SeaDoo, to Yamaha, Kawasaki and Polaris, they all have differences.

Older GP1200's may benefit from premixed fuel and a retune. Or at least a mechanic who knows how to keep the oil injection system 100%.

 

[97prizm]

A 2 stroke oil injected PWC was included in the purchase of our cottage (aka lake house in America). It runs great, no idea what the previous owner used in it for oil. My fishing boat has a 1988 Merc 60 premix and I use Motomaster Marine or Castrol Outboard oil in it. I used to use Quicksilver before the price literally doubled. Another option that's readily available is Pennzoil Marine Premium Plus.

With a much more powerful engine in the PWC, I want to learn more about the oil.

If it's all NMMA TCW3 does it matter beyond that?
What's the difference between marine 2 stroke oil and snowmobile that's also TCW3 - additive for cold?
What the difference between Motomaster Marine Outboard ($70 for 5L) and Motomaster Powersport ($68 for 4L) 2 stroke oil?

Tcw3 is designed for water cooled 2 strokes. I've seen it leave excessive carbon buildup if used in 2 stroke ope

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

Unfortunately, it's $100/gallon and I would need to order it.

A gallon would last forever for a PWC at a vacation house

 

[AS]

Tcw3 is designed for water cooled 2 strokes. I've seen it leave excessive carbon buildup if used in 2 stroke ope

Pretty sure a PWC is water cooled.. isn't it?

Edit: oh, were you referring to the difference with a snowmobile oil?

 

[AS]

If it is a Yamaha GP1200, it likely spec's Yamalube 2W. Which is a bit more robust than the otherwise excellent Penzoil TCW3 syn blend. Same goes for the Polaris 3 cylinder 2 stroke.

Almost always, PWC engines specify an oil that is engineered for the 'engine in question'. There are valid reasons for this. From SeaDoo, to Yamaha, Kawasaki and Polaris, they all have differences.

Older GP1200's may benefit from premixed fuel and a retune. Or at least a mechanic who knows how to keep the oil injection system 100%.

Yea it's a Polaris Genesis 1200 with the carbs

 

[AS]

A gallon would last forever for a PWC at a vacation house

Not sure what the mix ratio works out to with the injection system. My boat at 50:1 will go through a 5L jug of oil (1.3gal) every summer. I know in the grand scheme its not much, but that's why i'm wondering what the actual difference is in two stroke oils. Like the Pennzoil Marine PP Syn blend is half the price as the Super M. It's a 25 years old PWC that runs great and I don't want to write off, but I bet it's also seen the cheapest oil off the shelf

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

If you dont care, just run whatever Twc3 you want. It might be fine. PwC motors live a much different life than an outboard motor and do break much more often. The difference is how clean they burn and how much protection is offered when used beyond putting around at 2500rpm.

 

[AS]

If you dont care, just run whatever Twc3 you want. It might be fine. PwC motors live a much different life than an outboard motor and do break much more often. The difference is how clean they burn and how much protection is offered when used beyond putting around at 2500rpm.

I said I don't want to write it off, but also want to understand what the actual difference is in 2 stroke oil. Obviously 4 stroke oil has a ton of information about it, but two stroke oil is priced all over with no explanation seemingly other than brand name.

 

[userfriendly]

https://www.oilspecifications.org

Search ISO-L-EGD 2 stroke engine oil

 

[97prizm]

Pretty sure a PWC is water cooled.. isn't it?

Edit: oh, were you referring to the difference with a snowmobile oil?

Yes. TCW3 is designed for water cooled boats/ watercraft. From what I've read and personally seen it doesn't do well for high temp air cooled 2 stroke engines. I've stuck with Jaso FD and high Octane fuel mix for my gas trimmer with no issues.

 

[AS]

https://www.oilspecifications.org

Search ISO-L-EGD 2 stroke engine oil

Thanks! This was very helpful. It looks like ISO L EGD and Jaso FD will serve me well and I have two options locally that are sensibly priced

 

[userfriendly]

Thanks! This was very helpful. It looks like ISO L EGD and Jaso FD will serve me well and I have two options locally that are sensibly priced

What did you find? Canadian Tire and Walmart used to sell Shell Ultra Synthetic in the green bottles, both in snowmobile and PWCs on the labels, but I think they are discontinued.

 

[Cujet]

Thanks! This was very helpful. It looks like ISO L EGD and Jaso FD will serve me well and I have two options locally that are sensibly priced

As a very general rule, EG-D and FD oils are a great combination of great lubricity, low deposit formation and low smoke. The spec itself is pretty stringent and makes for a great oil for high output engines. In other words, pretty much any oil that truly meets these specs is good.

Keep in mind that FC (ISO L EGC) oils are also every bit as good (the same exact) with regard to lubricity, but may or may not meet the low smoke requirements.

To the best of my knowledge, there are no 'non synthetic' EGD/FD oils.

 

[AS]

What did you find? Canadian Tire and Walmart used to sell Shell Ultra Synthetic in the green bottles, both in snowmobile and PWCs on the labels, but I think they are discontinued.

The CanTire I went to only had Motomaster Powersport EGD/FD so I got 4L for $60ish and got $8 back in CT money

 

[AS]

As a very general rule, EG-D and FD oils are a great combination of great lubricity, low deposit formation and low smoke. The spec itself is pretty stringent and makes for a great oil for high output engines. In other words, pretty much any oil that truly meets these specs is good.

Keep in mind that FC (ISO L EGC) oils are also every bit as good (the same exact) with regard to lubricity, but may or may not meet the low smoke requirements.

To the best of my knowledge, there are no 'non synthetic' EGD/FD oils.

that's excellent info! Thanks. The existing oil in it was red, or at least red was the dominant colour, so I don't think that would've been Polaris or Seadoo or Yamalube 2 stroke, from what I can tell those are blue/green.

 

[userfriendly]

The CanTire I went to only had Motomaster Powersport EGD/FD so I got 4L for $60ish and got $8 back in CT money

I poked around Walmart and found Pennzoil Snowmobile Premium Plus, 5L for $59.97.
It meets EGD/FD and is likely the old green bottle Shell Ultra Synthetic that’s discontinued.
As near as I could tell, the Shell Ultra was the same product whether it had a PWC or snowmobile on the label.