1988 Merc 200 HP Smoking during warmup.

[111torrance111]

I have a 1988 200 HP Mercury that smokes excessively during startup, once it's warmed up it's back to hardly any smoke and runs great. The big issues is that it stays in the Marina, if I don't leave (Fishing) early in the morning everyone at the docks complains about the smoke. Coming home isn't a problem as it only smoke when cold.
Compression is good, it has the dual oil tank system. Large tank below deck, small tank under the cowling.

I do have a manual, but this issues isn't covered.

I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Jerry

 

[racerone]

Some might argue.----That is normal and typical of a 2 stroke engine.-----And also proof that lubrication in a 2 stroke is not well understood.

 

[Alumarine]

Maybe try a different oil.
I know when I switched to synthetic the apparent smoke at startup was less.
Could also try putting eau de bacon in the oil. Then no one would complain.

 

[Dukedog]

normal for older mercs... try a blend or full synthetic.. smoke is good!..

 

[Chris1956]

Oil injected outboards mix oil with gasoline at the fuel pump. So when the boat sits unused at the dock, the gasoline in the carbs evaporates, leaving a rich oil mixture. It is therefore the nature of the motor to smoke more at startup.

A synthetic or synthetic-blend oil may (may) reduce smoke.

 

[QBhoy]

I’d be more worried if it didn’t.
Just about the advice of switching to a synthetic oil. I’d be very very careful there. Some or even most synthetic type 2 stroke oil isn’t TCW3 rated, like what you need for that engine. As far as I know...most Di 2 stroke oil is synthetic and not tcw3. So to be avoided for your engine for sure.
Can I also urge you to get rid of the oil injection system and pre mix. That engine in particular has a reputation for its system failing. It doesn’t end well, from experience.

 

[roscoe]

Try the Mercury full synthetic, smoked less in my motors.
But it doesn't smell the same as petrol 2 cycle oil.

 

[Faztbullet]

Is it a lil hard to start when you first go out?

 

[111torrance111]

Is it a lil hard to start when you first go out?

It's never hard to start & runs fine. I will try changing the oil to the synthetic type and report back.

Thanks/Jerry

 

[QBhoy]

It's never hard to start & runs fine. I will try changing the oil to the synthetic type and report back.

Thanks/Jerry

Make sure it’s tcw3, whatever you do. Some synthetic isn’t.

 

[dingbat]

Make sure it’s tcw3, whatever you do. Some synthetic isn’t.

TCW-3 is a "pay to play" marketing organization. The pass/fail criteria is abominable.....
A number of very good oil manufacturers refuse to be black mailed.....

 

[Chris1956]

Dingbat, so what you are saying that it is a vast right wing (or left wing) conspiracy to discriminate against the 2 cycle oil industry?

So we should guess that the non TCW-III 2 cycle oil on the shelf is fine for our $20K outboard motors? Not sure I want to guess. That is just me.....

 

[QBhoy]

Dingbat, so what you are saying that it is a vast right wing (or left wing) conspiracy to discriminate against the 2 cycle oil industry?

So we should guess that the non TCW-III 2 cycle oil on the shelf is fine for our $20K outboard motors? Not sure I want to guess. That is just me.....

All I’m saying is that some synthetic oil is purely designed for Di engines. And some of them aren’t tcw3 rated oil. That’s a fact. I for one...would not be running anything that’s not tcw3 in any old school big V6 2 stroke. Not a chance. It’s totally different stuff. It’s fed around the engine differently between the two types of engines too. All I’m saying.
Edit...may have quoted the wrong post here. Apologies.

 

[Chris1956]

A lot of Direct Injection oils are not TC-W. That is a different animal, as they are certified for DI motors, usually by the OEM.

The OP has a carb 2 cycle motor, and should run TC-WIII exclusively.

 

[QBhoy]

A lot of Direct Injection oils are not TC-W. That is a different animal, as they are certified for DI motors, usually by the OEM.

The OP has a carb 2 cycle motor, and should run TC-WIII exclusively.

100% agree

 

[Dukedog]

this is a good one...... "Pennzoil Marine Premium Plus"
also tha "Pennzoil" full synthetic" if you can find it!

they also put out a very "sweet smell".......... makes ya think "race track!"

 

[dingbat]

A lot of Direct Injection oils are not TC-W. That is a different animal, as they are certified for DI motors, usually by the OEM.

The OP has a carb 2 cycle motor, and should run TC-WIII exclusively.

I’ve run nothing but “DFI” rated oils in my carb 2 stroke for the past 15 years or so. XD50/ Merc Premium Plus/OptiMax/Pennzoil Premium Plus.

Only stuff that runs worth a darn under my normal operating conditions.

One would think it would have failed by now if use was detrimental to the engine as you seem to imply.

 

[dingbat]

Dingbat, so what you are saying that it is a vast right wing (or left wing) conspiracy to discriminate against the 2 cycle oil industry?

No, what I’m saying is certification against a min. performance standard is simply a pay for play scheme. No ticky, no laundry...

If this process is really in the best interest of consumers, where are the published test results? Why no rating system?

All you have to do is read the terms and conditions of contract for the TCW certification. Why must I maintain membership in a particular trade organization to market oil?

Sorry, but it’s BS... perhaps requiring ISO 9001 certifications of all marine repair centers would be appropriate.

Certified to minimum repair standards of course....lol

 

[Texasmark]

I’ve run nothing but “DFI” rated oils in my carb 2 stroke for the past 15 years or so. XD50/ Merc Premium Plus/OptiMax/Pennzoil Premium Plus.

Only stuff that runs worth a darn under my normal operating conditions.

One would think it would have failed by now if use was detrimental to the engine as you seem to imply.

Well sir I know The Merc and Penn. P.P., sitting on the shelf at Wallyworld adjacent to one another are rated TCW-3 so that eliminated them from your list of not to worry. Don't know the others listed.
My take on 2 strokers is that chain saw oil and outboard oil are designed for two different operational senairos.....read that somewhere. The W rating has a different composition to support watercraft operation. Course remembering the low HP, big block OMCs of my teens, 32 oz of Amalie ("Better than it has to be" Pennsylvania grade crude) auto engine oil to 6 gals of gas made them go.....and smoke, and foul plugs and wobble when idliing (2 cyl).

 

[Chris1956]

OK Dingbat, so vast left wing conspiracy then....

I would not recommend to anyone that they run non TCW-III oil in their 2 cycle motors that call for TCW-III. Now there are some oils (Mercury?) that are rated for DI use as well as TCW-III use.

Anyone who runs a DI motor on an oil not rated for it, takes their chances....