Synthetic in a Mercruiser I/O ??

[garycinn]

Anyone going against Mercruiser's advice (no synthetics) and using a full synthetic in their Mercruiser I/O?<br /><br />No one seems to make a straight 40W or a 25-40W synthetic.<br /><br />If so, what brand and weight are you running?<br /><br />Looking for decreased wear and increased life on the engine. I want to keep this puppy for a long time before a rebuild.<br /><br />BTW, I have a 2001 4.3L EFI V6. Currently run Mercruiser's ( Could it be North Coast Oil ?? ) 25-40W with Mercruiser oil filter. Change both every year in the fall as I winterize (less than 100 hours).<br /><br />Gary

 

[Oil Man]

Re: Synthetic in a Mercruiser I/O ??

Amsoil 15W-40 Synthetic Diesel/Marine oil.<br />Better oil than the Merc at about the same price.<br /> Amsoil Marine Products Brochure <br /><br />Dave

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Synthetic in a Mercruiser I/O ??

I always use lubrimatic synthetic in the alpha drive.Straight 40 weight non synthetic in the motor with good results.Charlie

 

[Trent]

Re: Synthetic in a Mercruiser I/O ??

Dont waist your money on the synthetics! Change your oil regular. Also stay away from the snake oils.......<br /><br /> Snake Oils

 

[andrewgroup]

Re: Synthetic in a Mercruiser I/O ??

Changing you oil often isn't the answer. In every case study I've found published, the synthetic oils protect the engine against wear better. The scientific method of analyzing the oil after predetermined periods and the synths have less metallic components suspended in the oil. Changing your oil everyday isn't going to reduce the wear action generated in an internal combustion engine. Synthetics will.<br /><br />Harley Davidson refused to support Synthetics until they had a deal with a manufacturer to brand a "Screaming Eagle Brand." Don't wait for Mercruiser to do the same thing.<br /><br />I guarantee Merc will have a Branded Synthetic within 2 years.....

 

[Bondo]

Re: Synthetic in a Mercruiser I/O ??

I run Mobil 1 15W-50 in my 4.3LX, + Mobil 1 75W-90 in the outdrive......<br />Changed every 50hrs......<br /><br />(Slip of the Thumbs..!!)

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Synthetic in a Mercruiser I/O ??

Where's Lubedude when you need him?<br /><br />As for my 302, 27 years, Amsoil 10w-40. NEVER changed it. Just changed out the two filters and topped it off every three years or so.<br /><br />One season (last) on Amsoil's newer 15w-40 synthetic marine/diesel.<br /><br />and no, that doesn't have anything to do with my current ignition problem!<br /><br />GaryCinn, I also just ordered one of these;<br /><br /> http://www.autoenginelube.com/pages/903473/index.htm

 

[Trent]

Re: Synthetic in a Mercruiser I/O ??

Just do a search... On oils. Be open minded. You might even find out what the W in lets say 10W40 means....and it aint Weight.

 

[garycinn]

Re: Synthetic in a Mercruiser I/O ??

Bondo,<br /><br />Do you mean Mobil 1 15-50? I see a reference to 15-50 racing oil, but no 5-50. A typo?<br /><br />Andrew,<br /><br />You make some very good points regarding synthetics. Someone on another board said that they wrote Mercruiser about the synthetic issue and they responded that they hadn't tested them -- that's why they currently couldn't recommend them!<br /><br />I am thinking about using one of the following next year:<br /><br />Mobil 1 15-50 racing<br />Amsoil 15-40 marine/diesel<br />Redline 10-40<br /><br />I would also like to try Mobil's 75-90 gear oil. I am currently using Mercruiser's Gear Plus synthetic.<br /><br />Thanks for the replies.

 

[garycinn]

Re: Synthetic in a Mercruiser I/O ??

Boomyal,<br /><br />Very interesting preluber. Let us know how it works out.

 

[andrewgroup]

Re: Synthetic in a Mercruiser I/O ??

Consider the following<br />AMSOIL Series 2000 Synthetic 0W-30 Motor Oil<br />AMSOIL Series 2000 Synthetic 75W-90<br /><br />also consider buying Baldwin or Amsoil filter. ( I believe they are one and the same)<br /><br />Baldwins are normally available at Truck Service Depots.....<br /><br />Oil lubrication is really a simple process. Anything that reduced the friction and comes between the opposing metals in an engine are doing there job. If in doubt, Amsoil offers an oil analysis service...

 

[MFG197]

Re: Synthetic in a Mercruiser I/O ??

for those following merc recommendations straight SAE 40. NAPA makes it and it is very reasonably priced. when you buy a case it's around 99c a quart. They also happen to stock filters needed.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Synthetic in a Mercruiser I/O ??

As i stated before ,I use only SAE 40 as the manu. recomends.I was told that I could add a quart of mobil one to 4 quarts of the sae 40 for a slight blend.Anyone heard of this??Charlie

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Synthetic in a Mercruiser I/O ??

Crazy Charlie: Check Mobil's claims for compatability with petroleum oil. If it is compatable, then you can do it. You will then get 1/5th or 1/6th of the advantage of using synthetic oil. Some is better than none, huh? <br /><br />Although I could not name them and do not know if they still exist, there at least had been Synthetics that were not compatable with dino oil and would form a gum when mixed.

 

[garycinn]

Re: Synthetic in a Mercruiser I/O ??

Mobil 1 does say you can mix all you want with regular oil.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Synthetic in a Mercruiser I/O ??

A true synthetic oil is nothing more than Oil. It is not some weird, exotic concoction that is thrown together as an alternative to the time proven lubrication qualities of Dino Oil.<br /><br />All Dino oil is simply a less than perfect mix of oil molecules, of different sizes, with undesireable, natural non-lubicative substances in them that cannot be practically refined out.<br /><br />Synthetic oil is nothing more than man made oil molecules of a consistant uniform size, needing no non-lubricative binders to keep them homogenous and containing no other undesirable substances.<br /><br />This is why Syn's are slipperier. They don't break down when high heat burns these other substances into grit and they flow better, at lower temperatures, due to the lack of them. <br /><br />I don't know why so many people are afraid of it.

 

[garycinn]

Re: Synthetic in a Mercruiser I/O ??

Boomyal, thanks for the explaination. It gives me more courage to go with synthetics in the spring. I just need to find the right brand and viscosity.

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: Synthetic in a Mercruiser I/O ??

Petroleum companies----two words to explain why people are afraid of synthetics.<br /><br />Do you know how much cheaper gas would be if they used the 5 billion bushels of corn leftover each year to produce fuel?<br /><br />Marketing is a powerful thing!

 

[vidar]

Re: Synthetic in a Mercruiser I/O ??

go bondo....

 

[andrewgroup]

Re: Synthetic in a Mercruiser I/O ??

DDBOATER<br /><br /> http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/aganswers/2002/7-19_Grain_Consumption.html <br /><br />We should keep the conversation about boats and things we know something about.