2007-03-11 20:54:19 · 6 answers · asked by T-Riverrat 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Boats & Boating
I think that most outboards have 2-stroke engines. A 4-stroke engine uses a crankcase full of motor oil, similar to that of your car. Check your outboard to see if there is a fill tube for oil. This will be similar to that of your car as well. It should be marked with an oil symbol or the word "OIL". When you open the cap is may have a dip stick attached to it. If this is the case, you have a 4-stroke engine.
On the other hand, If you are required to add light oil to the fuel tank, your engine is a 2-stroke. You should be able to tell this by looking at the tank. If it has instructions for an oil to fuel ratio, you need oil in the gas, and this is a clear indication that the engine is a 2-stroker.
Examine well before operationg the engine, as a lack of oil will quickly damage the engine. You can contact a Mercury dealer and provide the engine serial numbers as well, this your safest bet.
Keep in mind that if you put oil in the fuel of a 4-stroke engine you will only foul the plugs, probably not causing engine damage. On the other hand, failing to put oil in the fuel of a 2 stroke engine will severely damage the engine in a very short running period.
Also, a 4-strke engine requires oil in the crankcase. Failing to have the required amount will cause over heating and excessive friction ware that will also severely damage the engine, so be sure to understand which engine you are dealing with prior to starting it up. Good luck.
2007-03-11 21:49:58 · answer #1 · answered by ed_dobersek 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you mix a special 2 stroke oil with the fuel it is certainly a 2 stroke. If there is a place to fill with oil it is almost certainlu a 4 stroke. But the best bet is to get the engine or model number and check the manufacturers website. Alternately search "Mercury xxxxx outboard" and you will probably find out all about it.
2007-03-11 21:07:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
its a 2
2007-03-12 07:28:18 · answer #3 · answered by Nick 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
well, 2 stroke uses a mixed oil and gas fuel mixture...but 4 strokes use straight gas....if u don't know that then you prolly fried the motor already...so if u don't know the fuel, then when it first starts, is there a lot of smoke with that 2 stroke smell? or a little smoke, more a lot of smoke means its a good 2 stroke or a bad 4 stroke, and a little smoke means you have a 4 stroke....good luck with that :)
2007-03-12 08:41:13 · answer #4 · answered by Mike L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you add the oil to the gas? Does it sound like a chain saw when running? It's a two stroke!
2007-03-12 01:12:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ifyou have to mix oil with the gas its 2 if you put oil in the crank case its 4
2007-03-12 04:33:24 · answer #6 · answered by JOHN F 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋