100 to 0ne in OMC

backdraft

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Walleyehed, I have a question of you and your dad's experience with 100 to one in OMC's. Was there damage to the bearings or cylinders at this ratio. The only info. I get is the rusting problem in some climates. I would like some conclusive knowledge on the subject. Thanks for the help on this matter . nevjb
 

JB

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Re: 100 to 0ne in OMC

Howdy, NevJB<br /><br />If it was a safe mix, OMC wouldn't have withdrawn it and instructed to use 50:1.
 

kenneths

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Oct 3, 2003
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Re: 100 to 0ne in OMC

nevjb, What OMC didn't take into account was making this fool-proof. If a water pump was worn slightly, the elevated temps, although minor, showed the 100:1 to be too little for mainly ring to cyl. protection. <br /> Another problem they did not forsee was the accidental mixing of even leaner oil mixtures, and as a result...premature failure.<br /> The test engine that my Dad was involved with showed no signs of damage in the 2 year period of testing, with 300+ hours.<br /> He said that to his knowledge, the last time the engine was torn down for inspection, it was never put back together after that, and at that time, OMC felt 300 hours of 100:1 proved 2 things....#1, their oil was superior, and #2, the engine could be ran with no damage at this oil ratio.<br /> It wasn't very long after introducing the operators manual stating 100:1, that this was taken back, and service bullitens were published stating the change back to 50:1.<br /> There were several engines being tested during this time period at 100:1, and I can't say the outcome of all testing, but Dad said it was very successful for techs mixing precise amounts of oil, compared to the general consumer thinking "that 7ozs. left in the bottle is close enough". <br /> It just wasn't fool-proof........ :rolleyes:
 

backdraft

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Re: 100 to 0ne in OMC

jb, I know you are right. I only use OMC Ficht oil at 50 to one. It is outstanding oil. Can't understand why smart men buy expensive motors only to nickel and dime it on oil. At 2.5 ounces per gallon , It last one heckuva? long time. I have found that you rarely if ever, need to de-carbon the engine. The 100 to 1 thing crops up now and then, and I don't have a definitive answer. Cheap oil keeps me in business. nevjb
 

kenneths

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Re: 100 to 0ne in OMC

nevjb, what engine are you running?????<br />Walleyehed
 

seahorse5

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Re: 100 to 0ne in OMC

Back then the recommendations for 100:1 in certain outboards was for "average use". If you ran at high speeds a lot, they recommended 50:1, and the same if the motor was used infrequently to prevent corrosion. Later service bulletins said to use 50:1 for best results.<br /><br />The manual was like the one in your car about oil change intervals. They may say something like "change oil at 7500 miles, unless you do a lot of stop-and-go, trailer towing, dirt roads, or high speed driving, then change at 3000 miles"
 

BillP

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Re: 100 to 0ne in OMC

Kennys...did you father work with anyone at OMC International out of Sunrise, Florida? OMC was doing a lot of testing near Stuart/Jensen (winter home of Ralph Evinrude)and I used to see them running the pixx out of boats and motors in the ICW. I knew the warranty mgr (for S.America, Bahamas & Bermuda) there and his explaination of 100:1 was corrosion issues for motors that weren't used often. Many were coming in for warranty with internal rust in less than one yr. Did your dad know Marcello at Sunrise?<br /><br />According to him 100:1 had plenty of lube properties for wear and the motors were safe with 150:1 at full throttle and 300:1 at idle. He told me to use 100:1 if I boated frequently or going on long trips and 50:1 if not...this was in 1990 after they had plenty of warranty history and I had just bought a new 1986 short block ob out of a bankruptsy. I never used 100:1 due to fear of corrosion. Air quality issues were pushing lean mixtures back then just like synthetics are pushing it now.
 

kenneths

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154
Re: 100 to 0ne in OMC

BillP, I'll have to ask him about that one. I know most of the testing his group done was not coastal, it was mostly in the Loveland, CO. area. They used to have Big-time Tunnel hull racing there.<br /> That may have been why it was successful up here-very dry humidity, that, and they will only put out 85-88% of sea-level HP here.<br /> I'll ask him, and see who was involved.... :)
 

backdraft

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Re: 100 to 0ne in OMC

Kennys, I'm running a 86 Johnson minus VRO on my 18.5 Gregor aluminum with a 4hp folding Evinrude as a kicker. On my 19 Bayliner CC I run the original 1984 125 Force wide open all the time going to the fishing area with a 6hp Evinrude as a kicker. I also have a Merc Mark 20 and a Mark 25 both restored. I only use synthetics. I've been doing motor repair for various dealers for 25 years as a sideline. I'm a retired Fire Captain. You rest , you rust.nevjb
 

kenneths

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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154
Re: 100 to 0ne in OMC

nevjb, I noticed you run the Ficht ram oil...is that total synthetic then??? I just wondered what the difference in XD-25 and that was.... :)
 

backdraft

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Re: 100 to 0ne in OMC

kenny, sorry it is semi synthetic. slip of the mental powers. nevjb
 

kenneths

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Re: 100 to 0ne in OMC

No test....I believe we all have the right to use what we want, and I'm in no way against Ficht Ram...matter of fact, I'm going to try some eventually.<br /> I need to run a gallon of XD-25 first and see if my idle clears up. :)
 

seahorse5

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Jan 24, 2002
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4,698
Re: 100 to 0ne in OMC

Ficht Ram oil is available bulk at a lot of dealers for around $14. You will notice a lack of smoke, or a lot less smoke due to its semi-synthetic formula.
 

Hasbeen

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Re: 100 to 0ne in OMC

There is however an oil out there that is specifically formulated to run at 100:1 and is TC-W lll Rated!<br /><br />Hasbeen :D
 

kenneths

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Re: 100 to 0ne in OMC

Hasbeen, now I know where you got the nickname........ :D :p :D :p :D
 

Hasbeen

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Re: 100 to 0ne in OMC

Kennys<br /><br />I guess I really deserve that one! :eek: :eek: :D <br /><br />I was an Amsoil dealer way back in the late 70s, Used the product and found it to be a great product! Over the years because of devorce and other issues I let my dealership run out! Recently I have decided to get back into it as I still feel it to be a superior product to anything else out there!! <br /><br />I fell into the add that states "Use where TC-W lll is specified" thinking that they had actually had there 2 cycle oil certifieid! Thanks to BillP I have been corrected and now have egg all over my face but am man enough to admit it!<br /><br />My intention is to find out why they have not done it!!<br /><br />I will however continue to use the product as it does all that I have claimed, just will not say it is TC-W lll rated anymore and will actually say that it is not!<br /><br />Thanks again to BillP for informing me and setting me straight, I do not want to steer anyone wrong!<br /><br />Hasbeen (Not a nickname)
 

walleyehed

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Jun 29, 2003
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6,767
Re: 100 to 0ne in OMC

You know I'm Joshin' ya about the nickname.....<br /> I have nothing against the Amzoil...I know it's good...It's in my lower unit, and I have no reason to change.... :)
 
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