Not dumb, just never knew!

I was once told that "the only stupid question is one not asked". I swear I read somewhere, something about difference in 2-stroke oils to use in our outboards. Sure, I understand there are different brands, and I guess if I think about it, there is viscosity breakdown. But, wherever I read this, people kept mentioning things about "this oil works with the specs of your motor". I have a late-90s Mercury 75 Optimax, two stroke (that mixes the oil itself, and has the reservoir under the cowling of the motor). I have always used the Penzoil 2 Stroke Oil that you can buy at Walmart. Am I ok with this? I don't mind spending a little more to protect the investment that a motor is!

Please help with this! Sorry if this is a crazy question...just never thought this was an issue! Only had the motor for 2 years now!


mrwillis

Keep using what you are using. Your engine hasn't blown up yet. Most oil sales is based on advertising and hype. If this post sits here long enough someone from Royal Purple or Amsoil will justify why you need to spend $40 a gallon instead of $13. To each his own.

I use Johnson/Evinrude oil in my Evinrude, but I did use some Pennzoil once because it was given to me. It seemed to produce more smoke than the Johnson/Evinrude oil.

Are you referring to the direct injection motors ? oil for it is a little higher .

I used to run nothing but quicksilver but now I run the supertech from walmart and have for the last three years with no problems.

I run the pennzoil in my sea doos and in the jon boat i used to have. Never any problems. Just got a new boat with a 4 stroke motor so happy dont have mess with the oil no more

I was using quicksilver 2 stroke oil an a friend told me to switch to 4 stroke. I have a 50
HP mercury 2007. The difference I can see is the 4 stroke is the color of oil an the2 stroke was blue....

Read post #5. Gives a real good list of the right oils recommended by Tohatsu which the OPTI is basically same motor.
Optimax and TCW III oil - The Hull Truth - Boating and Fishing Forum

Clipper. Are you using four stroke oil in your 2 stroke?

Any that are TCW3 are okay. I had the 90 optimax and I used walmart or yamaha. Found quicksilver expensive and could get yamaha cheaper at a local dealer. But never had a problem with the walmart oil. Same specs. Remember it all starts out underground as rotten dinosaurs. lol

I use AMSOIL synthetic 2 stroke, lower unit, truck, wheel bearing grease, tractor everything I own has AMSOIL in it . Been using it since 1982. First in synthetics.

Dad has been gone since "95" but can still hear these words . #1 If you can't afford it , leave it alone . #2 . Oil is cheaper than metal .:ThumbsUp

The Synthetic oils burn cleaner -- Less smoke --- I will not buy any oil that is Refined from Penn. Crudes,,, It is loaded with Parafin. I bought a used Car that the valve Covers when pulled you could not even see the tops of the rocker arms for the Valves. the drain holes were stoped up and leaking into the cylinders making lots of smoke. The Previous owner was proud he had only used Quaker State