Help needed--underway

B

bmacpiper

New member
Apologies for posting in the wrong forum, but hoping to reach more people this way.

Running twin e-tec 50's, and running low on oil. Went to buy more, and only Yamalube is available. PO gave me a gallon of Evinrude xd100, which is what I've been running. I don't know, however, whether the motors are programme to xd100 (1/2 consumption) or not. If not, I can run the yamalube, with no concern (it's tcw3rl rated). If they are programmed for xd100, the manual says I can use the tcw3rl as a one-time emergency measure. File this whole thing under "don't know you don't know"--I had no idea there were two different settings.

So here are the three questions:
--is there any way to tell how the motors are programmed without hooking up to a dealer computer? If it helps, I use about 2/3 of a tank of oil in each motor when burning maybe 20 gallons of gas (10 gallons per motor).
--how is "one time" defined--one tank of oil, until I get home, etc? I have one tankful of xd100 in each motor.
--any way to manually switch to the tcw3 setting (I know, I know, but I had to ask)?

Thanks all,
Ben
 
If the prior owner gave you XD100, he was running that--and most likely at the 100 setting. As I understand you can run the TWC3 oils at the default higher oil ratio. (The XD50 setting). Most advise acceptable to run the TWC oils at XD100 setting. There should be a warning label on the oil tank that it is programed for XD100 (but in the absence of that you cannot be sure)

I believe that the only way to reset this is via the engine computer--meaning you have to have the program and cable--and most dealers have that.

At this point, I would phone the Previous owner and see what he can tell you about the setting. If it is set for XD 50, than you are OK.

If not, or you don't find out, I would not run the engine at WOT, and get to both a dealer who can find out what the setting is ASAP, and buy a few gallons of the XD 100 oil to have on stock. I doubt that you will ruin the engine by running it at conservative speeds, for a short time--but to me that would mean the next port which had XD100 oil.....You have some expensive engines, and I would wonder about the warrantee issue if you continued to use the TCW3?
 
Just found the labels, thanks. They are hang tags and tucked in below the wiring. I'll call around tomorrow--maybe I can find it on Orcas.

Thanks again,
bmc
 
Glad that Les helped you out!

Many of the injected engines do not do well, as the old inject oil into the fuel types. In some (and I cannot address this specific engine), it will not give the lubrication which is necessary.
 
So far I have been very impressed with the motors (dual 50's). They are responsive, and very torquey. My two complaints so far are:
--They idle like crap, i.e. very rough and shake a lot. Since there's no easy spot for a kicker motor for trolling, this is a big deal.
--The oil tank cap is under the bonnet, which means you have to pull the bonnets every time you fuel up. They could easily have put the cap through the bonnet instead.

Overall, though, I like them a lot. Will see about smoothing out the idle or even bumping it up a tad to maybe 1000 rpm instead of 850. It's a world smoother above 1000.

b
 
Chester":2r9v0q0g said:
In a pinch a fella might consider premixing some tcw 3rl into the fuel to help compensate for the xd100 oil setting.
Click to expand...

Do not add oil to the fuel, or run an E-Tec on premixed gas. You can damage the injectors which is a very costly repair.

Also note that there are a couple of companies promoting that their synthetic oil is acceptable in Evinrude engines and it implies that E-Tec is included. It is not. These oils are acceptable in the Direct Injected (pre E-Tec) engines, but only XD-100 is acceptable for use in E-Tec engines programmed for XD-100.
 
bmacpiper":38ww33l5 said:
So far I have been very impressed with the motors (dual 50's). They are responsive, and very torquey. My two complaints so far are:
--They idle like crap, i.e. very rough and shake a lot. Since there's no easy spot for a kicker motor for trolling, this is a big deal.
--The oil tank cap is under the bonnet, which means you have to pull the bonnets every time you fuel up. They could easily have put the cap through the bonnet instead.

Overall, though, I like them a lot. Will see about smoothing out the idle or even bumping it up a tad to maybe 1000 rpm instead of 850. It's a world smoother above 1000.

b
Click to expand...

We repowered a 22 Cruiser with twin 60 E-Tecs, and yes, at idle the harmonics of the boat were not great as the whole boat rattled. Just above idle the noise and vibration went away. I think it is due to the large displacement two cylinder design, and with two of them at idle, if they are not perfectly synched it is noticeble.

But they are great performers on that hull, and the charging capacity is great for cruisers with heavy battry use.

Always trade offs. :smiled
 
Matt Gurnsey":1arwbq76 said:
Also note that there are a couple of companies promoting that their synthetic oil is acceptable in Evinrude engines and it implies that E-Tec is included. It is not. These oils are acceptable in the Direct Injected (pre E-Tec) engines, but only XD-100 is acceptable for use in E-Tec engines programmed for XD-100.
Click to expand...

Hey Matt! Good to see you!

Sierra specifically calls out their following product as "replaces BRP XD-100":

TC-W3
Full Synthetic 18-9540-x*

(See the full version in the .pdf here:)

www.teleflexmarine.com/wp-content/uploa ... il_Ref.pdf

Is this one of the ones you are saying can't/shouldn't be used? Or is it OK?

Thanks and talk soon!
Ben McCafferty
 
BTW Matt, they also state the following:

"Full Synthetic, TC-W3 rated. For use in BRP E-TEC programmed for XD-100. Can be used in place of either Direct-Injection or Premium Blend. Ashless formulation. Provides superior protection and lubrication to ALL two-cycle outboard engines. Red dye added for visual recognition.
Replaces: BRP XD-100."

So, same question, just more info.

b
 
Acyually, this is the only one that I've seen actually claim it can be used in place of XD-100 in E-Tec's that have been programmed that way.

My answer to customers who have called and say "It's $5.00 leass a gallon" is- what did you pay for your new motor? Are you willing to risk that money to save $100 (or less) a year?

As for the Sierra product- most of their stuff is made by the other big name manufacturers, and in most cases I'll say to go ahead and use it. And maybe once an E-Tec is out of warranty it might be okay to use, but if it were my boat, I would stick with Evinrude oil.

Twin E50's would cost $13,000 plus labor to replace. In heavy use you might use 10 gallons of oil a year. I'd find someplace else to save $50. However, if that was the only oil you could get your hands on- use it until you can get the right stuff.

As always, my 2 cents and worth what you paid for it!
 
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