Fuel/oil mix

[fetoma]

My 86' 140VR has the oiler system removed, so I have to mix. What are you guys doing with:

*Ratio?- I've read 50:1- what ratio do you use?
*When to add? Do you fill up after your day on the way home and add the oil then, or do you fill up before you go out and then add the oil. My concern is how well will the oil mix dilute with the gas as to not hurt the engine.
*What oil is good quality?

Thanks,
Frank

[3 Squids]

Yep. 50:1. I don't think there's a best time to put it in. I usually stop on my way to the dock, try to estimate how much fuel she'll take and put my oil in first. Put the gas in then drive to the dock. The drive should help mix it in. If I overestimate how much oil I need it's usually not by much and she might smoke a little more. I guess you could fill up first then do the math I just feel putting the gas in second helps it get down the filler neck better. Assuming you have a tank in the floor.

I've also seen guys put in the estimated amount of oil in a 5 gal can and fill with gas. Shake it up good and then put it in the boat then put the fill the tank, or at least as much gas as needed for the amount of oil put in. Hard to get a full tank mixed exactly right when adding oil first.

[Jeb]

Originally Posted by fetoma

My 86' 140VR has the oiler system removed, so I have to mix. What are you guys doing with:

*Ratio?- I've read 50:1- what ratio do you use?
*When to add? Do you fill up after your day on the way home and add the oil then, or do you fill up before you go out and then add the oil. My concern is how well will the oil mix dilute with the gas as to not hurt the engine.
*What oil is good quality?

Thanks,
Frank

I bypassed/removed the VRO on my '89 Merc Black Max 150.
- I run 50:1.
- I downloaded an app for my iphone that calculates whatever amount I need. When I fuel, I'll start by adding enough oil for say, 15 gallons of fuel (I use an iphone app for an exact calculation). I add fuel until tank is about 90% full, then I'll add whatever remainder of oil I still need (the app helps here). I talked to a great local merc expert about this and he told me that I'm probably worrying about it too much. He said that it doesn't take much time sloshing around either on the trailer on underway for the oil to mix with the fuel just fine.
- I use Quicksilver synthetic marine.
- I also add one can of Seafoam fuel additive and the appropriate amount of sta-bil marine fuel stabilizer with each fill.

[Destroyer]

I never fill my tank up completely. (Tank is in the floor) I watch my gauge and when I'm almost full I stop at the nearest complete gallon mark on the pump. (I also have an app on my phone that tells me the proper ratio of oil to gas). I then look at the app, punch in the amount of gallons of gas I just put in and the app tells me the proper amount of oil at 50:1 to add. Then it's just a simple matter to put in that amount of oil into a gallon gas jug, add a little gas to dilute it further and then pour it down the fill pipe. Always the right mixture every time. Easy-Peasy-lemon-Squeezy

[jvitiel]

I have a '95 Merc 200HP EFI. The oil pump was removed and I premix 50:1. I use Penzoil XLF.

I use my flow meter to determine how much fuel I burned on the last trip and then I add enough oil to fill up again before I leave the house. On the way to the ramp I stop and add the requisite gas.

I marked an old oil jug in gallons of gas at 50:1 to simplify the oil calculation.

[3 Squids]

Originally Posted by jvitiel

I use my flow meter to determine how much fuel I burned on the last trip and then I add enough oil to fill up again before I leave the house. On the way to the ramp I stop and add the requisite gas.

Huh. In all my years of boating I'd never thought of using a flow meter. Brilliant. Think I may have to order me one.

[fetoma]

Thanks guys. I'll try your suggestions and see what works best for me. I do have that app on my iPhone, and even printed out a chart in case the phone dies.