Hey, figure this thread is the place for this: Just got an old Elgin 12hp Outboard to possibly replace my new 5hp 4-stroke. Got the Elgin to run today, first time in a year and a half for it, prev. owner smoked it (I think thats what you call it) for winter last fall. The manual states a fuel/oil ratio of one half pint oil per gallon, which is a 16:1 mix. Man does it smoke! I know that 2-strokes smoke a bit, especially older ones. My question is how bad is bad and what can be done about it if anything? I have used the fuel that came with it but will put fresh gas and oil in the tank before running it again.