TLDI FAQS

TLDI^® (Two stroke Low pressure Direct Injection) is a powerful direct fuel injection system that reduces emissions over conventional carbureted 2-stroke motors while also greatly increasing fuel and oil economy.

With a TLDI^® outboard, you get all the efficiencies of a 4-stroke outboard and all of the power of a 2-stroke outboard in one.

In 1998, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued new regulations governing the emissions of outboards sold in the United States. The purpose of these regulations is to reduce the pollutants created by outboard motors. In short, the EPA regulations mandate that all outboards meet certain emission requirements by the year 2006. Outboard manufacturer’s are using a variety of technologies to reduce the emissions of their outboards including 4-stroke and direct injection 2-stroke technologies.

YES! All current TLDI^® motors meet or exceed the current EPA requirements for outboard emissions and are CARB 3-STAR approved.

Besides having a drastic reduction in emissions over a carbureted 2-stroke, the TLDI^® motors provide a significant reduction in fuel consumption. TLDI^® outboards provide several other advantages over carbureted 2-strokes such as:

• eliminating the need for a choke giving you easy, quick starts in all weather conditions
• user-adjustable idle settings, electronically controlled through the key switch for variable trolling speeds
• smooth, consistent idle which produces significantly less vibration
• quiet and virtually smokeless operation provides a more enjoyable boating experience
• eliminates the need to pre-mix oil & gas
• an extremely smooth transition throughout the entire power curve from low to high speed

The TLDI^®’s ECU electronically monitors the performance of the motor and delivers the precise amount of oil needed depending on the rpm, drastically reducing the oil consumption by up to 30% over carbureted 2-strokes as well as the amount of exhaust smoke associated with traditional 2-strokes.

The biggest challenge facing outboard manufacturers in meeting the current EPA regulations is which technology to use…direct injection (DI) 2-stroke or 4-stroke. Both technologies can be used to meet the current standards and both technologies have significant advantages over carbureted 2-strokes. Most manufacturers are taking a “two-pronged” approach and using a combination of DI and 4-stroke depending on the horsepower of the motor.

A high-pressure system forces straight fuel, up to 1000 psi, into the cylinder through the injector. A high-pressure system does not blend air with the fuel, so the droplets of fuel are much larger and do not burn as completely as fuel droplets in a low-pressure system. A less complete burn results in weakened fuel economy and the intense stress of 1000 pounds of pressure can also cause unneeded strain on the motor’s components.

A low-pressure system, such as TLDI^®, mixes both air and fuel to disperse microscopic fuel droplets at 80-94 psi. With droplets as small as 10 microns, we achieve a more thorough and complete burn of the fuel resulting in lower emissions and higher fuel economy without subjecting the components to the intense pressure used by other direct injection systems.

TLDI outboards should only be run using an oil that meets or exceeds TCW3 oil specifically formulated for use in Direct Injection motors and are semi-synthetic or full synthetic. Standard TCW3 oil is not recommended for use in TLDI outboards.

A unique feature on our TLDI^® outboards is our user adjustable idle speed system. By pressing in on the key switch, you are able to adjust the idle from 700 to 900 RPM’s while you are using your outboard. Our TLDI^® system will even remember the last setting and use this speed the next time you use your motor. In areas where currents are stronger or constantly changing, this makes time spent trolling all the more easier and pleasant. And because the TLDI^® is a direct injection outboard, trolling for extended periods of time drastically reduces the occurrence of fouled spark plugs.

Unlike a 4-stroke motor, there is no special maintenance required for a TLDI^®. We do, however, recommend that you change your water pump impeller every year. We also recommend that you change the compressor drive belt, air filter, and fuel filter every 2 years or 200 hours. Other than that, you follow basic outboard maintenance as outlined in your owner’s manual.

Because of the additional power requirements needed for a direct injection system, TLDI^® motors require you to use a marine battery with the following rating: 850 Cold Cranking Amps (CCA).

For users in colder climates, you should use a battery with a rating of: 1000 Cold Cranking Amps (CCA).

We thoroughly test new outboards for years before they are introduced to consumers. The TLDI^® system was tested for 6 years before being released and has been on the market since 2000. These outboards also use the same tried and true components we’ve been using in our conventional 2-strokes for years, giving boat owners exceptional reliability and the utmost confidence in their outboard.

The TLDI^® system provides all of the things you need in an outboard. It provides superior performance while providing exceptional fuel and oil savings. A TLDI^® outboard produces fewer emissions and meets all federal and state requirements for outboard emission control. Acceleration from low to high speed is extremely smooth and sharp making the outboard very responsive. Also, the reduction of air intakes from three to one allows much quieter operation.

With a TLDI^® outboard you get all the punch & power of a 2-stroke combined with the quietness and fuel efficiency of a 4-stroke, together into one fantastic motor.