I have read that trolling is bad for a 2 cycle outboard. From fouling plugs to "shucking out" a cylinder. I have 165 hours on my Yamaha 150 and will be changing my plugs out soon due to poor starting the last few times out, they are overdue for replacement anyway but I wondered if the trolling has affected them. I do troll alot, and wondered what ya'll have to say on the subject.

Some say it does others say it doesn't. I have started using Amsoil synthetic and my build up on the plugs has been virtually eliminated.

bhking - where do you get the Amsoil?

Chaser

With most 2 cycle engines and VRO, the amount of oil going to the cylinders at 200-600 rpm's can vary greatly from moment to moment, long periods of idling with V-4's or v-6's will cause plug fouling, because the plugs are not capable of complete combustion at a rich carb or EFI setting. Carbon then KILLS the engine at WOT, due to chunks coming off the tops of the pistons, resulting in interference in the exhaust side of the cylinder port. This can crack blocks, break piston rings, and score the cylinders. On v-4s the first cylinder to go is usually the upper right bank, don't ask me why but that is my experience. Smaller 2 cycle engines dont have this problem because you are injecting smaller amounts of fuel into the combustion cycle. If I were going to troll for extended periods I would look at addung a 6HP on a kicker bracket.
Idiling for extended periods with v4 0r v6 two strokes will shorten your engine life. If you must troll I would suggest using sea foam to clean the combustion chamber after every 6 trips OR using Blue Marvel synthetic oil.

Excellent advice, Mr. Hughes.

Most engine tests show that for 2-cycle outboards of 90 Hp or less, idling for extended times do not have much impact.

Larger engines are more susceptible to fouling. If you are going to troll with a larger engines, the EFI designs are much less susceptible to damage than the designs that use carbs.

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Ax Man Mac

Chaser,

My neighbor is a distributor. If your intrested I can get some for you or hook you up with him. I see your in Lewisville so we're not far apart as I'm in Lake Dallas. Last time I bought some it was $20/gallon. Shoot me an email if you want some.

BK

Thanks for the great information. I have been day dreaming about adding a 4cycle kicker as soon as I can swing it. Unfortuately, that may be a while, so I will try the additive and troll less for now.

They may be right on smaller engines, I just
sold a 1969 Evinrude 85 HP that I had trolled with almost as much or more as I have ran it open, never been apart and still runs great, so I guess it didn't hurt
it. Now have a 120 Johnson and I hope to
get good service out of it also but it
remains to be seen I guess.

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Hooked on Hybrids

Dennis------Slabshad

Carbon deposits kill newer engines not necessarily how you run them. Watch that v4 carefully Dennis. AS long as reasonable care is taken of the engine, they will run forever. I know a LOT of good outboard mechanics that will tell you to unhook the oil resevoir on VRO carb engines and mix your gas into the oil. Which is WHY so many pre VRO engines are still running today. I have had 3 VRO Evinrude/Johnsons starting with an 86, 3 cylinder loop charged VRO Johnson and ending with a 1996 VRO 4 cylinder. ALL 3 blew engines due to VRO failures. I now run a 2000 Mercury 200HP, oil injected carb engine and use only Quicksilver 2 cycle oil. BUT I also flush the engine each winter with Sea Foam to remove carbon. I have over 2000 hours on this one and still running strong.

I have a 15hp Mercury I use on my duck boat. How would I attach it to my 1989 Cajun "Fish & Ski" with a 110hp 4 cylinder Johnson?

As far as mounting a kicker goes, if you don't have room to hang it on the transom next to the big engine, they sell brackets that bolt through the transom to hang the little engine on. Some have tilt up feature to get it out of the water when running on the big engine.

Bass Pro, Cabelas,West Marine, Boaters World all sell kicker brackets which bolt to the transom. I had a kicker bracket on my old 20X96 Sea Ark with a 6HP Mercury. It did not affect the boats performance in the least. One quick ratchet and the kicker was in the water or a quick lift and it was out.

The two mechanics at our local dealership both run a fuel additive called Ring Free in their own personal two stroke outboards to prevent carbon build up.

DannyB

So what would you recommend....synthic oil or put the "kicker" motor in use?????

I'm afraid that I'd have to recommend that you turn the thing OFF, and fish.

mark