diff between marine lube and gear lube ??

[ekmanspiral]

I'm going to be doing some maintenance on my OMC 800 stringer (full mech) and am wondering what oil to use. I need 80w90 in the intermediate, upper, and lower. I am wondering what is the difference between automotive gear lube
(80w90) and marine lube (80w90).

(I am going to get marine grade lube but I am curious as to the difference)

Neil
1978 Seaswirl

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: diff between marine lube and gear lube ??

Probably nothing but an increased price.

 

[PS94]

Re: diff between marine lube and gear lube ??

I'm going to disagree. I had a friend with a Sea Ray with a 3.0L..He had a leak somewhere, that would allow small amounts of water into his leg...when he used the Green Merc High Perf. gear lube, we could drain the water out the lower fill plug, till we got lube, and the lube, was still lube....
One fall, while servicing it, he opted to use regular 80-90 that he could steal from work (gas plant). The next year, the water ingress, allowed the gear lube to froth up, and push out....he then killed the upper ring and pinion. He then had to buy a new upper, and pay me to reseal his lower....

Long story short, I don't think the Merc Stuff mixes readily with water, while regular gear lube makes a milkshake quite easily...

 

[phoenixisrizen]

Re: diff between marine lube and gear lube ??

Long story short, I don't think the Merc Stuff mixes readily with water, while regular gear lube makes a milkshake quite easily...

That's my experience too. Well worth the price IMHO. Wally World 10.95 a quart, I think.

 

[Bondo]

Re: diff between marine lube and gear lube ??

Re: diff between marine lube and gear lube ??

Ayuh,... The Best I can tell,... It's the Dye...

Oil for Oil,... 80W-90 will froth abit,+ settle out much slower than a Syn-oil...

I run Mobil 1, in 75W-90...
I've had Leaks,... When I did, the oil maintained it's abilities to do it's job(thankfully)...
When I drained it, even the milky stuff was Much slipperier than 80W-90, right outa the bottle...
Merc has both oils, in different Colors,... I forget which is Blue,+ which is Green,...
I don't buy the stuff...
It's All Hypoid Gear Oil...

 

[ekmanspiral]

Re: diff between marine lube and gear lube ??

Thanks for the advice,

I'll be going to Wally World tonight.

Neil

 

[sethjon]

Re: diff between marine lube and gear lube ??

You can use either with good success.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: diff between marine lube and gear lube ??

Ps94, the only problem with your logic if that it doesn't support whether marine labeled oil is any different or better than regular. Just that if your outdrive has leak (which is the problem in your story) you can let water settle out and drain it till you see lube. I think your friend's main objective should have been to spend the 30 bucks for a lower seal kit and stop the leak. Then he could have used any lube he wanted to with no regard for its interaction with water.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: diff between marine lube and gear lube ??

Both Mercury and Amsoil make the claim that their respective marine gear lubricants will maintain superior lubricating qualities when mixed with water.....Amsoil actually indicates how much water..... (10%..........I DO NOT know how much water their claims hold though

)

Mercury:

• Specifically formulated to help prevent failures due to water entering the gear housing.
• Extreme pressure synthetic additives protect gears from metal to metal contact.
• Since no industry-wide standards exist concerning marine gear oils, it is essential to use products such as Mercury High-Performance Gear Lube which has been specifically designed and tested for marine applications.
• DO NOT mix with Mercury Premium Gear Lube.

Amsoil:
Universal Synthetic Marine Gear Lube SAE 75W/80W-90 (AGM)
High Performance lubricant engineered to meet the demands of marine applications. AMSOIL Universal Synthetic Marine Gear Lube provides:

• Excellent Gear and Bearing Protection even when contaminated with 10% water
• Reduced Friction and Wear
• Rust and Corrosion Protection
• Long Seal Life
• Superior Foam Prevention

.....AND of course, all oil manufacturers make all sorts of claims..........

I will say that when I was at Napa Auto Parts a couple of weeks ago, I surprised that their display with the AMSOIL marine lube indicated that it was about $8/qt.

Certainly cheaper than both Merc HP and Mobil 1.


Amsoil also makes a lot of other claims...... I won't bore anyone with........you can go there and read it if you like.....


But since it is somewhat cheaper, I might just give it a try since I have to drive a LOT further to get Merc HP for my Bravo.

YMMV.......


We report, YOU decide!



Rick