TCW3 newbie

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ARB1977

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Even if this stuff doesn't clean as effective, the thought of having a top end lube is a plus in my book. Every six months I'll still be using Redline ST1, during the rest of the time I would like to use TCW3.

Any recommendations on which one to get and how much to use? I don't know if one ounce per ten gallons is effective or not.

Thanks
 
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I use whatever I get my hands on. Found Citgo's Supergard Marine Plus two-cycle engine oil with a big old tc-w3 printed on the front that I am using.
 
I use the Wally World brand in my diesel. It is the least expensive TCW3 I've found. 1/2 oz. per gallon of #2 diesel; not sure how much to use with gas.
 
The wal mart stuff seems to be cheapest, but it absolutely stinks, horribly...

Im running the Johnson evenrude brown colored tcw-3 from WM right now. I like it as it doesnt have an obnoxious odor.

Texaco was OK if you can find it.

Any of them should be fine.
 
Originally Posted By: ARB1977
Is there a difference between marine vs regular TCW3?


I don't think so, TCW3 spec means it is made for marine applications
 
Originally Posted By: Donald
I am not convinced its needed at all in 4 cycle gas engines. Even in diesel engines its really only needed if there is a mechanical injector pump.


I would generally agree with this, except that I'm a believer in this and other lubricity adds from an electric fuel pump noise POV.

Also, some of my cars get used very seldomly, so I like the concept that it will leave a thin film of oil on parts (maybe I'm wrong, but similar to fogging an engine), and quality tcw3 also acts as a fuel stabilizer.
 
ARB1977 : Here , use this converter -> http://www.csgnetwork.com/oilfuelcalc.html
Next , start out using TC-W3 with a 640:1 ratio and add however many gallons of gas you filled up with . A 640:1 ratio of TC-W3 will give you 2 oz. per 10 gallons of gas (the recommended starting point). When you fill up (close to home) just use the converter and input how many gallons of gas you added keeping the 640:1 ratio oil number the same - this will show you how much TC-W3 to add (adding oil after the fact to your tank if driven few miles after fill up to ensure correct ratio) . Lastly , just use WM Super Tech TC-W3 which is NMMA approved ( list of all TC-W3 certified oils here -> http://www.nmma.org/certification/certification/oil/tc-w3.aspx
Spending more for an approved TC-W3 oil for UCL does not make it any better - use Super Tech and live with the smell (I fill using an old Lucas UCL 5 oz. bottle , gum out bottle etc. I have saved). Lastly , when checking your gas mileage , if you found it dropped when using the 640 recommended 640:1 TC-W3 to gas ratio - go up to a TCW-3 and gas ratio of 960:1 to cut the ammount of TC-3 down a 1/3rd or so ... Some vehicles even do better with a ratio of 1280:1 (1/2 the recommended TC-W3 ammount) . Literally , YMMV - now you have everything you need to know about TC-W3 used in a 4 cycle engine as a UCL and are a newbie no longer - now go play !
 
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Originally Posted By: JHZR2


I would generally agree with this, except that I'm a believer in this and other lubricity adds from an electric fuel pump noise POV.

Also, some of my cars get used very seldomly, so I like the concept that it will leave a thin film of oil on parts (maybe I'm wrong, but similar to fogging an engine), and quality tcw3 also acts as a fuel stabilizer.


This is exactly why I use a UCL. For several years I had a second van which would sit for weeks, sometimes months at a time. I liked the idea of a thin residual film of oil coating the cylinder walls and preventing flash rusting. A UCL provides this kind of protection, along with protecting the injectors. Some people report higher mpg, others a smoother running engine. I've experienced a smoother running, and better idling engine in older cars. I think the UCL provides a better ring seal in cars that might have some piston ring wear. It is certainly worth trying and forming your own conclusions.
 
Originally Posted By: ChrisD46
ARB1977 : Here , use this converter -> http://www.csgnetwork.com/oilfuelcalc.html
Next , start out using TC-W3 with a 640:1 ratio and add however many gallons of gas you filled up with . A 640:1 ratio of TC-W3 will give you 2 oz. per 10 gallons of gas (the recommended starting point). When you fill up (close to home) just use the converter and input how many gallons of gas you added keeping the 640:1 ratio oil number the same - this will show you how much TC-W3 to add (adding oil after the fact to your tank if driven few miles after fill up to ensure correct ratio) . Lastly , just use WM Super Tech TC-W3 which is NMMA approved ( list of all TC-W3 certified oils here -> http://www.nmma.org/certification/certification/oil/tc-w3.aspx
Spending more for an approved TC-W3 oil for UCL does not make it any better - use Super Tech and live with the smell (I fill using an old Lucas UCL 5 oz. bottle , gum out bottle etc. I have saved). Lastly , when checking your gas mileage , if you found it dropped when using the 640 recommended 640:1 TC-W3 to gas ratio - go up to a TCW-3 and gas ratio of 960:1 to cut the ammount of TC-3 down a 1/3rd or so ... Some vehicles even do better with a ratio of 1280:1 (1/2 the recommended TC-W3 ammount) . Literally , YMMV - now you have everything you need to know about TC-W3 used in a 4 cycle engine as a UCL and are a newbie no longer - now go play !

Awesome, thank you for the info.
 
Out of convenience, I'm now using Mag1 TC-W3. A case of 12 pints for $20 and change is not a bad price with free delivery.

My mix is 1 ounce of TC-W3 for every 5 gallons of gas. The 1 pint container makes it easy to mix up a blend of 50% TC-W3 and 1 pint of Chevron Techron fuel system cleaner. I use an old MMO quart bottle for my mixing. Then I fill up 6 ounce bottles of the blend to add to my fill-ups. I usually have at least 10 six ounce bottles ready and waiting when needed.

BTW....I usually fill up with almost 15 gallons of gas. So 3 ounces of TC-W3 and 3 ounces of Chevron Techron is my blend at each fill-up.
 
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Has anyone witnessed a dose of 640:1 TCW-3 actually preventing flash rusting in a cylinder, or is this more a peace of mind thing? I'm suspect that it would actually do anything at a rate that dilute, assuming there is actually that much residual fuel to carry the oil after shut-down.
 
I use TC-W3 to combat the harmful affects of ethanol in winter gasoline. IMO...from what I've read, and also the very smooth engine idle, that it lubricates the fuel system from the gas tank to the combustion chamber. TC-W3 is ash-less and burns clean so there may be some residual benefit from what your concerned about....rust in the cylinder. I'm more concerned with my fuel pump and fuel system staying lubed. IMO....Ethanol in gasoline, especially winter blends, attracts moisture and water so a little lube can't hurt....and IMO help save your fuel pump. I use a dose of 3 ounces of TC-W3 blended with 3 ounces of Chevron Fuel system cleaner at each fill up of 15 gallons of gas. I've been using this maintenance dose for a few years with no problems to report.....just a smooth running engine.
 
Originally Posted By: Donald
I am not convinced its needed at all in 4 cycle gas engines. Even in diesel engines its really only needed if there is a mechanical injector pump.

I used TCW3 in my TDI diesel.
It makes a big difference.

When used, the engine can quieten down dramatically and just cruise along smoothly vs a noisy engine when the TCW3 runs out.
 
Originally Posted By: kb27
Originally Posted By: Donald
I am not convinced its needed at all in 4 cycle gas engines. Even in diesel engines its really only needed if there is a mechanical injector pump.

I used TCW3 in my TDI diesel.
It makes a big difference.

When used, the engine can quieten down dramatically and just cruise along smoothly vs a noisy engine when the TCW3 runs out.


Agreed. I've read there may be a small cetane improvement with TCW3 in diesel, but I'm not sure how much or why.
 
Originally Posted By: kb27
Originally Posted By: Donald
I am not convinced its needed at all in 4 cycle gas engines. Even in diesel engines its really only needed if there is a mechanical injector pump.

I used TCW3 in my TDI diesel.
It makes a big difference.

When used, the engine can quieten down dramatically and just cruise along smoothly vs a noisy engine when the TCW3 runs out.


brand / ratio pls
smile.gif
 
Originally Posted By: vo_marz
Originally Posted By: kb27
Originally Posted By: Donald
I am not convinced its needed at all in 4 cycle gas engines. Even in diesel engines its really only needed if there is a mechanical injector pump.

I used TCW3 in my TDI diesel.
It makes a big difference.

When used, the engine can quieten down dramatically and just cruise along smoothly vs a noisy engine when the TCW3 runs out.


brand / ratio pls
smile.gif



Brand doesn't really matter. Tc-w3 is a spec for 2 stroke oil so if its labelled as tc-w3 that means it meets that specific specification.
 
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