Blue Marble Oil

mukaiboston · Post by **mukaiboston** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 8:11 pm

Anyone had any experience with Blue Marble Oil? I just moved to DC from Boston and the guy at Vespa of Arlington sold it to me. He is the Genuine dealer for the area and has sworn that he's been using it for years.

In Boston, I bought Motul but they didn't have it.

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 11:14 pm

oil is oil

mukaiboston · Post by **mukaiboston** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 1:38 am

Well, some people say gas is gas, but I make a distinction between brands. Mobil and Shell put an additive in their gas that keeps the carburetor clean in the long run.

Call me too specific, but I just want to make sure the oil I use is not going to gum anything up.

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 2:17 am

mukaiboston wrote:Well, some people say gas is gas, but I make a distinction between brands. Mobil and Shell put an additive in their gas that keeps the carburetor clean in the long run.

Call me too specific, but I just want to make sure the oil I use is not going to gum anything up.

Assuming your question is for the two stroke engine oil tank, I don't buy the oil is oil mindset.
Motul is a very good 2t oil and, like you, I'd be hesitant to try a no name product for this purpose.
If we are discussing the gearcase oil I'm a bit more open minded to the oil is oil thing since this component is not too brutal on lubricants.

Rob

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 4:06 am

oh its 2t? yes oil is not oil, then

but its still oil

i'm so confused?

agrogod · Post by **agrogod** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 9:15 am

No knowledge of Blue Marble, but 2T oils ,while not the biggest mystery on the planet, do have a few common factors you want to avoid or embrace. Try and get low/no smoke varieties, look for the widest range of mixture 16:1 - 100:1, if it falls somewhere in that range (and most do) should be ok to use. Don't use oil that is intended for your weed whacker, different consistency and may cause heavy smoke. Look for these specifications, TC-W3TM, NMMA, [API] TC, JASO FC, ISO-L-EGO, if it meets or exceeds these your good to go. A 'TC-W' rating denotes an marine oil, again this may cause smoke.
As for brands that is user choice.

mukaiboston · Post by **mukaiboston** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 4:39 am

Ok, thanks guys. I'll have a better look at the bottle. It is 2-stroke oil and I think it is indicated that it is for scooters, but it is for a lot of things. It is also mineral oil and not semi-sythetic like Motul.

No one around DC seems to sell Motul. Might have to order it from scooterworks.

mukaiboston · Post by **mukaiboston** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 4:39 am

btw, yes it is 2-stroke

kmrcstintn · Post by **kmrcstintn** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 7:03 am

as far as 2 stroke oils go, sometimes labeled 2T, there are 2 major families: air-cooled engines & these oils have detergents formulated for use in hotter engines and water-cooled engines (marine) & these oils have detergents formulated for use in cooler engines; sometimes the air-cooled oils are referred to as 'low-ash' and the water-cooled oils are referred to as 'ashless'; the air-cooled 2T oils (low ash) will be what you want to use in a 2-stroke scooter since the engine is not immersed in water like marine engines

marine or many 'multipurpose' oils are labeled TC-W3 which indicates for use in water-cooled engines; most air-cooled oils will be labeled TC with FB, FC, FD somewhere in the labeling to indicate the amount of unburned by-product that spews from the exhaust (FB are conventional based, FC are conventional or synthetic blend based, FD are full synthetic based);

another important consideration once you get into air-cooled oils is 'premix' vs 'injection' oils; premix oils are put directly into the gasoline and shaken prior to filling the gas tank; injection oils are used in equipment that has a separate oil reservoir and there is an automatic system that mixes the gas and oil prior to being introduced into the engine

a quick note...motorcycle/scooter specific formulations are often better than OPE (outdoor power equipment...eg: weed whackers, chainsaws, etc) formulations for use in scooter engines

a bit confusing...basically, you should go to a motorcycle shop for 2T oils for use in your scooter; the cheaper oils can cause more carbon buildup in the combustion chamber and exhaust which will require more frequent disassembly and cleaning...especially important if there is a catalytic convertor built into the exhaust since carbon and unburned oil can clog the matrix and reduce your scooter's performance; good luck!

mukaiboston · Post by **mukaiboston** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 2:21 pm

Thanks for the explanation. I actually got this from the Genuine dealer in DC. He claims he has used Blue Marble in all his Buddies for years and never had problems but I thought I'd ask around anyway.

kmrcstintn · Post by **kmrcstintn** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 2:32 am

haven't seen Blue Marble sold by any major store chains...might be a dealer direct network, like Amsoil; I read the claims on the Blue Marble website, but have yet to see any classification info...TC-W3 vs TC, etc; if your dealer sells it and using it will keep your warranty intact, go for it!