Changing from regular to synthetic Evinrude oil?

[Btfrk]

Have a Evinrude Ficht and am going to change from Evinrude oil the previous owner ran to XD-100. The dealer that inspected the motor previous to my purchase suggested doing this to keep carbon deposits down. I really do not want to drain and bleed the system so I am thinking run the oil reservoir low and and re-fill with XD-100. They are both TCW3 oils so they should be compatible? I understand there is a good chance of plug fouling due to the added detergents in the XD-100 oil and loosening carbon deposits. Anything I am missing here that could pose a problem?

[Terroreyes]

Generally, switching from conventional to synthetic is pretty smooth. I'd get most of the conventional through, like you plan, for sure. Occasionally, there are compatibility issues with certain additives in conventional oils that aren't soluble in synthetic oils. If you want 100% peace of mind, call the oil manufacturer first, but I doubt there's any issues with the same brand.

Remember though. Once you go synthetic, you generally can't go back. If you do, you'll eventually have issues with seals failing. Synthetic oils swap themselves with the plasticizers in the seals. If you go back to conventional, the synthetic oil comes out and the seals will shrink and/or crack because the plasticizers are gone. Same with automobile or any other engine.

[Richard B]

I am using XD50 in my 04 Evinrude 200 direct inject. It is about $10/gallon less expensive and does a great job.

[Btfrk]

Richard B. I know that the XD-50 is cheaper, and I thank you for the advice, but I understand XD-50 is something like a synthetic blend where as the XD-100 is all synthetic. I know $40 bucks a gallon is crazy on a older motor but with the reputation the Ficht has for carbon buildup it might be cheaper in the long run. Dealer said it would minimize carbon build up, keep compression up and smooth out the idle. I know he probably likes to sell me the oil at that price but I am willing to give it a try. Others have stated that after switching to XD-100 carbon build up is no longer a problem. Thanks for the heads up on switching back to non sythetic Terroreyes as I knew nothing about those plastic thingys.:grin:

[unlogged Eric Olson]

You're partially right, however the XD-50 does have the Carb-X in it as well as the Xd-100. The difference in the 2 is the 100 is 100% synthetic, the xd-50 is a 50-50 blend. This carb-x eliminates the need for a fuel additive such as reccomended by Yam's Ring-Free in every tank.

The 100 advantages are many but a key one in the north is that it has very little viscocity change with extreme temps. Good for all year running and good oil flow (esp in below fressing conditions)

TIght Lines
Eric
NPAA 165