On Mar 18, 10:10*am, Dave Brown wrote:
SteveB wrote:
Can someone give me the short answer on if this TC-WII Johnson oil is good
to use in my '89 Merc 4 cyl TWO STROKE motor?
Is there a discernable difference between TC-WII and TC-W3 oil?

Very Quickly then...

TCW = Two cycle water cooled. *That means it's an 'ashless' oil and
should NEVER be run in PWC type engines. It also means you NEVER run a
lawnmower or chain saw oil in your outboard. *I am NOT going to
entertain debate about what's hype what's crap etc. I will simply state
the following:

I have been inside engines for all of my adult life (and all my teens
too I guess) and can tell you there IS a difference. Just because an oil
meets the spec, doesn't mean it's the best oil you can buy. OEM oils
have more beneficial additives in them than straight spec non-OEM stuff.
Do they make their own oil? No, but they require the oil companies to
make their oil to their spec, and further prevent them from selling that
spec oil as aftermarket. Does it cost that much extra to make? Nope, but
there is no middle ground. You want their special additive packages that
costs an extra nickel, you get to pay through the nose - no argument there.

I'm not going to debate you either, but there are a few other points
to ponder...

The additive package is specified by the OEM, but that doesn't mean
it's any better that the oil company's own additive mixture. In fact,
the motor OEM really doesn't have any reason to make their motor last
any longer than the warranty period... they make far more money on
motor sales than oil sales. The oil manufacturers, i.e Penzoil, *do*
rely on their reputation as an oil supplier. They *do* have a reason
to make good oil. It's their main business. Add another 2 cents of
good additives above the OEM package and they're good to go.

The OEM don't really "require" anyone to do anything when making their
OEM oil, anyway. They go out for bid on a certain color oil bottle
with the logo placed just so, with, in your words, an additive package
that "costs an extra nickel", then they charge twice what the oil
company's TC-W3 goes for. All for the LOWEST BID oil to be used in a
motor that they hope wears out soon so you'll buy another.

Now stop being so damn cheap and go enjoy your boat will ya? ;-)

Being a dealer and making your living selling marine equipment and
overpriced oil, would you be a bit biased in your recommendation?
Nah... :-)

Regards,
* * * Dave Brown
* * * Brown's Marina Ltd
* * *http://brownsmarina.com/