Outdrive gear oil - difference between "marine" & other?

[superbenk]

As the title says, is there a difference between 80w-90 gear oil that says it's for "marine use" vs. the 80w-90 gear oil I can buy at my local auto parts store that doesn't say anything about "marine" on it? This is for the gear oil that I'll be putting in my Stringer 400 outdrive & intermediate cases.

 

[Reinell-BRXL-191]

Re: Outdrive gear oil - difference between "marine" & other?

Marine use oils have additives that claim will make them more effective when contaminated with water... automotive oils do not need these additives... regardless if the additives work or not, I wouldn't even consider putting automotive oils in my drive.. not when you can get marine stuff as close and cheap as Wal-Mart

 

[sam60]

Re: Outdrive gear oil - difference between "marine" & other?

Marine use oils have additives that claim will make them more effective when contaminated with water... automotive oils do not need these additives... regardless if the additives work or not, I wouldn't even consider putting automotive oils in my drive.. not when you can get marine stuff as close and cheap as Wal-Mart

Happy Birthday old man. I use generic gear oil.

 

[etracer68]

Re: Outdrive gear oil - difference between "marine" & other?

Marine gear lube will hold its spec with up to 10% water, in most good marine gear lube. Im not sure what generic lube IS.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Outdrive gear oil - difference between "marine" & other?

Marine gear lube will hold its spec with up to 10% water, in most good marine gear lube. Im not sure what generic lube IS.

Can you please point us all to the ASTM standard for water contamination of gear oil? I haven't been able to find it.

 

[Reinell-BRXL-191]

Re: Outdrive gear oil - difference between "marine" & other?

can you please point us all to the astm standard for water contamination of gear oil? I haven't been able to find it.

ASTM D-892 and ASTM D-3233 are the most common ASTM as related to marine gear oil testing.. of course they apply to any gear oil, but marine gear oil manufacturers make claims that their oil will maintain these ASTM certs even when contaminated with 10% water. Automotive gear oil makers, do no make these claims, but then again, they do not expect their product to be subjected to such use. Mercury outright claims they formulate the gear oil to do this... I assume, with a claim like that, they are in fact adding something that gives marine grade gear oil this quality. Of course.. if you are maintaining your drive properly, it doesn't really matter... but we all remember how the old timers first fought about detergents, and then synthetics.. "oil is oil... right? NO

This is something you posted a few years ago...

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

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Outdrive gear oil - difference between "marine" & other?

Um. Yeah. But those standards do not specifically have water contamination testing as part of the procedure....(I suppose no one says you cannot do it AND if the oil STILL meets the test with water then you could infer compliance)

Using D892 (foam test) is misleading because it doesn't mention water contamination at all in the test.........

Neither SAE, ASTM OR NMMA specify a marine "Standard" for "Marine" gear lubricant....maybe they will someday.....I suspect it's not necessary.

The manufacturers simply specify GL-5 synthetic or non-synthetic gear oil.

Most are even "silent" on whether you can use a limited slip type GL-5 (although some who have asked got a "Don't use it" answer)

Mercury makes the "claim" as does Amsoil who actually shows some test "results" on their product advertisement.

Of course it is useful to note that an oil that STILL meets some requirements with up to 10% water contamination, might make it "good"...... but just because other manufacturers don't make the claim, it doesn't mean that their oils wouldn't pass the same test.

Automotive gear oil makers, do no make these claims, but then again, they do not expect their product to be subjected to such use.

Not true at all. gearboxes can be subject to water contamination from many sources. (the main reason for D1401 and D2711)

I am willing to bet that ANY synthetic gear oil will meet the ASTM (four-ball, Falex etc) tests with up to 10% water.

I would rather see the results of D1401 and D2711 for "marine" gear oils. No one seems to post results of them..... probably because they ALL meet the requirements......

If you want to read more about these tests go here: Properties of Enclosed Gear Drive Lubricants

Machinery Lubrication (and Lubrizol.com) is one of my favorite sites!

 

[Reinell-BRXL-191]

Re: Outdrive gear oil - difference between "marine" & other?

Mercury makes the "claim" as does Amsoil who actually shows some test "results" on their product advertisement.

Of course it is useful to note that an oil that STILL meets some requirements with up to 10% water contamination, might make it "good"...... but just because other manufacturers don't make the claim, it doesn't mean that their oils wouldn't pass the same test.

My assumption, using straight forward logic is this... if the standard gear oil could pass the 10% water contamination test, then there would be a lot more makers of "Marine" gear oil.. because they would just dump their stuff in a new bottle, jack up the price and enjoy the new added profit... but.. no.. we only have a few to choose from, and I assume, using pure logic... there is a reason for it.. but hey.. there is no point in going on and on.. I really am not that interested in oil... hahahaha

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Outdrive gear oil - difference between "marine" & other?

It's not really a logic thing as much as it's a market thing.......and the "marine" market is very small by comparison to the automotive market..

The other thing is since recreational boaters change their oil every year (or 100hrs etc.....if they follow the manuf suggested procedure) it really doesn't matter what you put in there.....

 

[coolbri70]

Re: Outdrive gear oil - difference between "marine" & other?

oil provides clearance between metal surfaces so as they don't touch each other creating friction, i wouldn't worry about how much water it can hold, not suposed to be water in it in the first place, gear lube is gear lube( use what the manufacturer recommends)