2-Stroke Oil, Best place to buy in Cape Town?

[LeighFly]

My trike (Rotax 582) has been living on "Engen Super Outboard Plus" 2-stroke (TC-3W) oil in pre-mix form until now.

If I am to keep it on the same diet, where in Cape Town is the best place to buy this oil and what should I expect to pay per 500ml bottle. I paid R29/bottle at the local Engen garage, which seams a bit high.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks
Leigh

[Sukkelaar]

Don't keep it on the same diet as your outboard motored boat.

regards

[bobthebuilder]

Hi Leigh,

This is a hotly contested debated, and is wide open to personal opinion.
Some prefer mineral 2 stroke oil, some prefer synthetic. (Probably because of price, but ...)
Synthetic is supposedly cleaner, in that less carbon builds up which fouls the plugs, and clogs the piston rings.
In terms of long term engine life, I'm not convinced that there will be clear winner between the two.

Maybe read up on the benefits of both and decide for yourself.

[LeighFly]

Thanks for the feedback so far

I had a feeling that this might spark the debate again

Sorry about that, it is really not my intention.
I'm really just trying to get an idea of what the latest trend is and what it all costs.

Maybe I should re-phrase my enquiry:

For the 582 owners in Cape Town:

1) What oil are you using,
2) Where do you get it from?
3) What does it cost?
4) Pre-mix or oil injection?

I'm only looking for what each person is using at the moment . I will assume that you swear by your choice of oil and have many good reasons for doing so, but I would like to avoid a debate if possible.

Thanks again
Leigh

[bobthebuilder]

Don't wory about the debate.

I use mineral two stroke which I get from the local Caltex petrol station. (only)
The cap is always removed and the foil seal is checked. If the seal is broken I won't buy it.
It come s in 200 and 500 ml bottles.

200ml two stroke mixed with 10L petrol = 50:1

I am running pre-mix.

This is a jo-burg based opinion, so use it or lose it.

[Grumpy]

"Engen Super Outboard Plus" 2-stroke (TC-3W) where in Cape Town is the best place to buy this oil ...Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks...Leigh

Only one place
S.O.S. Oil Corporation.
309 Lower Main Road
Observatory.
021 448 5564
http://www.sosoil.co.za

[Gannet]

Grumpy is on the numbers there.

For the last 8 years, Freddie Stafford of SOS has been supplying my oil for everything: bike, commercial vessels, aerie. TC 3W is literally half the price of Midas - but don't tell him!

Apart from highly service orientated, he gives unbeatable advice of any lube issue. Let him tell you about all the Rotax engines he supplies lubes for.

You have nothing to lose - just call him!

[Morph]

You can buy any Castrol product directly from the depot in Paarden Island

Castrol Super Outboard for the 582, and Super Chainsaw for the 503.

[Grumpy]

You can buy any Castrol product directly from the depot in Paarden Island

Castrol Super Outboard for the 582, and Super Chainsaw for the 503.

Was asking about Engen, Don't know if they have a depot one can buy directly from.

[Morph]

I know he was asking about Engen, just recommending alternatives, that's all. and you can buy in bulk and it works out about half the price of the garages. Take it, leave it....

[Grumpy]

I know he was asking about Engen, just recommending alternatives, that's all. and you can buy in bulk and it works out about half the price of the garages. Take it, leave it....

I use Castrol Super Outboard which I buy from the Paarden Island Depot in bulk 20lt (4x5lt) at a time. Costs me R1100.00 in total......... R55.00 per lt

[Nacho]

WMP Penn Super Two stroke, Meets and exceeds the standards as required by Rotax. Well priced, I normally buy 20l at a time, about R560, if I remember correctly.

Know a lot of people who uses this oil including some schools. I changed from fully synthetic as it was just too expensive.
Seen some motors that were opened at 600Hrs, using this oil from day 1, pistons and rings still in very good nic.

For your gearbox I recommend CASTROL SAF-XJ

Dont read to much on this topic, the information below is all you need, it can become very confusing if you read too much, just stick to standards as outlined by Rotax. See below:

Engine Lubrication
2-stroke oil specifications
Rotax recommends using a "super" two-stroke oil which corresponds to ASTM/CEC standards and/or
API-TC classification. It is also essential to choose an oil which is designed for an air cooled engine
even if you own a liquid cooled engine.

2-stroke oil type
For most Canadian users a mineral or semi synthetic oil is recommended.
Synthetic oil should only be used by those who operate their engine nearly every day. Even when shut
down, air is constantly circulating through a 2-stroke engine; it is never sealed like a 4-stroke engine.
Even though it has excellent lubricating properties, a synthetic oil does not effectively protect a
stopped 2-stroke engine against corrosion: it tends to attract moisture and will run off the parts rather
than leave a protective coating.

Mixing
If you own an oil-injected engine, you simply need to keep your oil tank topped up frequently.
Otherwise, it is necessary to premix your oil and fuel. The ratio is 50 to 1, or 2%. This means you
would mix 400mL of oil in 20L of fuel, 500mL for 25L, and so on. Using more oil than recommended
would not help your engine in any way: it will accelerate the formation of carbon deposits which will
eventually break loose and accelerate wear.

Rotary valve lubrication
The oil used in the rotary valve lubrication circuit of liquid cooled engines (462, 532, 582, 618) should
be the same 2-stroke oil used for primary engine lubrication.

To be avoided:
Oils whose label do not bear the above mentioned required specifications
Oils primarily designed for outboard 2-stroke engines
Mixing ratios other than 50:1

Gearbox Lubrication
Rotax recommends API-GL5 or GL6, SAE 140 EP or 85W-140 EP gear oil for gearbox lubrication. A
synthetic type of oil can be recommended for this application thanks to the almost-sealed environment
of the gearbox casing.

To be avoided:
Low quality lubricants which will deteriorate long before the recommended replacement interval
(every 100 hours)

Cooling Liquid
For its liquid cooled Aircraft Engines, Rotax recommends a mix of 50% antifreeze concentrate without
sulphates and phosphates, with anticorrosion additives designed for aluminium, and 50% distilled or
demineralised water.
It is possible to use a higher proportion of water if you have overheating problems, but it is important
to consider the effect on freezing point. The maximum ratios specified by the antifreeze manufacturer
should not be exceeded since deposits may form inside the cooling circuit.

To be avoided:
Low phosphate and low sulphate antifreeze
Water which is not distilled or demineralised
Excessive mixing ratios

Spark Plugs
The recommended spark plugs are the NGK B8ES or BR8ES. The "R" denotes a resistance which
helps suppress radio interference. The use of spark plugs with a solid tip, rather than the screwed-on
tip, is mandatory. The latter can unscrew itself in flight and dislodge the spark plug connector cap,
creating an ignition failure.
Spark plug gap
Allowable range: 0.4-0.5mm / .016-.020"
Optimal: 0.45mm / .018"
The gap can be reduced to its allowable minimum to help starting in very cold conditions

To be avoided:
Other spark plug models and other manufacturers' equivalents
Screwed-on tips
Unverified spark plug gaps

Fuchs Lubricants SA Locations
Western Cape Lubricants (Pty) Ltd
Gerber Boulevard, Gants Centre, Strand, Cape Town
Tel: +27 (0)21 854 4808
Fax: +27 (0)21 853 2366
Email: wmpenn@iafrica.com


SPECIAL TWO STROKE OIL
DESCRIPTION
Wm Penn Special Two Stroke Oil is a premium quality lubricating oil designed to meet the demands of modern air
cooled, two-stroke motor cycles, lawnmowers, chain saws and other similar two-stroke engines.
BENEFITS
• Low ash oil exhibits excellent anti-wear properties.
• Freedom from ring sticking and exhaust port blocking.
• Freedom from plug fouling and piston crown deposits.
TYPICAL DATA
Colour Blue
Kinematic Viscosity @ 100°C mm2/s 15
TBN mg KOH/g 2,6
Sulphated ash % 0,11
PERFORMANCE LEVELS
• API TC
• JASO FC
• ISO-L-EGC
APPLICATIONS
Air cooled, two stroke engines in:
• motor cycles
• lawn mowers

[LeighFly]

Thanks for all the replies.

I took Grumpy and Gannet's advice and went to SOS Oils and got great service and a good price too. They delivered the oil to my door, which cost me nothing, and I only paid R44/L.

I decided to take the Total Super Outboard oil (TC-W3), after inspecting all the data sheets, which proved to be equivalent to the other popular oils, like Engen and Caltex.

At least I can get on with some flying again

[Biggles]

I know he was asking about Engen, just recommending alternatives, that's all. and you can buy in bulk and it works out about half the price of the garages. Take it, leave it....

I use Castrol Super Outboard which I buy from the Paarden Island Depot in bulk 20lt (4x5lt) at a time. Costs me R1100.00 in total......... R55.00 per lt

Just call ahead before going... sometimes they only have the 500ml bottles but they are very similar price to 5 litre bottles.

[V]

Finally found my receipts, I buy oil - Caltex Super 2-Stroke - once a year from Industrial Technical Trading cc near the Caltex refinery in Milnerton. Last time I bought from them (Nov 2009), the 500ml bottles were cheaper than the 5l and paid R34.50 per litre. They have a free delivery service. Tel: 021 551 7633.

Cheers,

V.