Re: what oil brands do you use on Yamaha 4 strokes
It's not about what's in the oil. It's all about how the oil performs.<br /><br />FC-W (or the API for that matter), doesn't care what's in the oil that makes it achieve sufficient performance. They only care that it passes their tests, meets or exceeds their standards, and works very well in your outboard.<br /><br />There's an infinite number of formulations and ingredients that oil makers can use. They all do it differently using different bases, different additives, different quantities of those components, different manufacturing processes, and so on. But their ultimate goal, and the only goal you need to worry about, is that it meets established performance requirements for your engine. FC-W is set up just for that. It is a voluntary program to help the consumer know he's getting the right oil for his application.<br /><br />Even if oil makers did disclose what was in their oil, you would still have to interpret what that means. What makes a good oil?...A large quantity of a particular additive, or small quantities of a combination of several additives? What variations and amounts of additives are best? What do those additives do when they are heated or sheared? How does the component act when mixed with the other components of the oil? How do they act after 20 hours of use. How will the internal parts of your outboard react?<br /><br />You see, you'd be right back where you started. We could discuss and argue about different oil components, quantities of those components, and mixtures of those components until the cows come home. You'd need an education in chemistry, materials science, and engineering. But performance tests don't lie. No matter what's in the oil, or what quantities or formulations are used, performance is the ultimate goal. And the FC-W rating gives you the disclosure and confidence that you need there. No scare tactics, no propaganda, no warranty issues, no need to be a oil scientist. The oil either meets FC-W or not.<br /><br />NMMA's FC-W is performance-based. There are no requirements for what's in the oil. The oil must simply pass several unique tests developed for marine engines. Many of those tests use ASTM standards, yet with different or more stringent parameters set by FC-W. Other FC-W tests include actual endurance tests in four-stroke outboards where engine parts like cams, rings, pistons, bearings, etc. are inspected after operation. The oil isn't evaluated, the engine parts are. Fuel dilution, salt-fog tests, and so on are unique to FC-W rated oils.<br /><br />Yes, there are non-FC-W rated oils that could probably pass FC-W certification. But it would not be by design. It would be by coincidence. And yes, some FC-W rated oils may be better than others. But that would depend on your type of outboard, your operating conditions, and what you consider "better".<br /><br />I used to test outboard oils for an accredited lab. Some cheap, simple formulations would pass performance tests, while other expensive, complex formulations would not. Some oils with high levels of additives would perform poorly. Not necessarily because of the additives, but because of the way they were formulated with the rest of the oil. This is why evaluating the oil itself, or using virgin oil samples or used oil samples, is meaningless. It's all about performance. The FC-W rating is all the confidence you need that the oil will perform.<br /><br />LubeDude, this topic was about what oil to use in a Yamaha 4-stroke. You recommended several 25W-40's that are not to be used. It is not my fault you did that. But since you are the "LubeDude" who frequently posts errors, it deserved correction.
<br /><br /> FB-10017A KAWASAKI 4-CYCLE JET SKI OIL KAWASAKI MOTOR CORP USA <br />FB-10125A MERCURY SYNTHETIC BLEND 4-STROKE/CYCLE OIL MERCURY MARINE <br />FB-10126B 4-STROKE MINERAL 25W-40 MERCURY MARINE <br />FB-10127B 4-STROKE MINERAL 10W-30 MERCURY MARINE <br />FB-20110E PRO STAR 4 STROKE 25W40 OUTBOARD OIL KINPAK, INC. <br />FB-20111E PRO STAR 4 STROKE 10W40 OUTBOARD OIL KINPAK, INC. <br />FB-20112E PRO STAR 4 STROKE 10W30 OUTBOARD OIL KINPAK, INC. <br />FB-20206B NEPTUNA SPEEDER 10W-30 TOTAL LUBRIFIANTS <br />FB-20302B YAMALUBE 4 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD <br />FB-20303B YAMALUBE 4M YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD <br />FB-21000B SIERRA FC-W 4-STROKE MARINE 10W30 OUTBOARD ENGINE LUBRICATION TECHNOLOGIES <br />FB-21001B SIERRA FC-W 4-STROKE 25W40 ENGINE OIL LUBRICATION TECHNOLOGIES <br />FB-21002B SIERRA SYNTHETIC FC-W 10W30 OUTBOARD ENGINE OIL LUBRICATION TECHNOLOGIES INC <br />FB-30010B AMSOIL FORMULA 4-STROKE, MARINE, SYNTHETIC 10W40 MOTOR OIL AMSOIL INC <br />FB-30011B AMSOIL FORMULA 4-STROKE, MARINE, SYNTHETIC 10W30 MOTOR OIL AMSOIL INC <br />FB-30018B SHELL NAUTILAUS 4T OUTBOARD MOTOR OIL SHELL CANADA PRODUCTS LTD <br />FB-30025B PENNZOIL MARINE PREMIUM OUTBOARD 4-CYCLE 10W-30 SOPUS PRODUCTS <br />FB-31000B NISSAN PREMIUM FOUR-STROKE OIL TOHATSU AMERICA CORP <br />FB-31001B TOHATSU PREMIUM FOUR-STROKE OIL TOHATSU AMERICA CORP <br />FB-40002B RAVENOL OUTBOARDOEL 4T RAVENSBERGER SCHMIERSTOFFVERTRIEB GmbH <br />FB-42100G Q8 OUTBOARD 4T KUWAIT PETROLEUM RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY<br /><br /> NMMA
