Which Oil To Use? 40 wt??

[alldodge]

Oh man, another oil thread and I missed the start, sorry I'm late opcorn:
:couch2: I'm ready now

 

[GA_Boater]

Oh man, another oil thread and I missed the start, sorry I'm late opcorn:
:couch2: I'm ready now

Don't get too comfy. I think the OP's question has been answered. RTFM!

 

[H20Rat]

My point being, why wouldn't you use what Merc recommends?

Because manufacturers also sell their own branded oil.

At least in the automotive world, the OEM oil is generally some of the lowest quality oil you can get. This isn't opinion, thousands of used oil analysis (UOA's) back it up. OEM oil is more or less the cheapest oil available that will keep the engine alive long enough to make it through the warranty period.

I haven't done the research on marine oil, but I highly suspect mercury does the exact same thing as every other manufacturer out there. They rebrand someone else's minimum spec oil and sell it at twice the cost. Non OEM oil will be cheaper and be far better, if you compare actual empirical evidence. (UOA's)

 

[MRS]

opcorn::gossip::very_drunk: I think some one said any oil is better than no oil. If you do not follow what you should put in there and think something is better go for it.

 

[JoLin]

I haven't done the research on marine oil, but I highly suspect mercury does the exact same thing as every other manufacturer out there. They rebrand someone else's minimum spec oil and sell it at twice the cost. Non OEM oil will be cheaper and be far better, if you compare actual empirical evidence. (UOA's)

Your suspicion = your opinion. Not saying you're wrong, not saying I'm right. But none of us knows, do we? Until I get my doctorate in petrochemistry I'll stick with my Merc 25W40. I'd never deny that Merc charges a premium for their own branding- that's simple logic. Every company n the world does the same thing. One thing I've found as a lifelong DIY'er, though, is that 'factory' branded stuff in general fits better, performs better and lasts longer than aftermarket. Does that generalization even remotely apply to engine oil? Beats the heck out of me, so I'll go with my gut telling me that they aren't going to put their name on 'crap'.

I always promise myself that I'll never get sucked into another oil thread... I guess I'm weak :facepalm:

 

[roffey]

I found this useful, I have a brand new boat and asked the marina to put synthetic oil in after the checkup and they did not. I was wondering if I should change it before I drop it in the water. After reading here I think I will use the oil that's in the boat and change it to synthetic at next oil change.

 

[JoLin]

Roffey, Kevin (smokeonthewater) commented earlier in this thread that regular changes with properly spec'd oil are more important than the brand and type you use... and I think that's the one thing everyone here would agree on.

 

[roffey]

Agreed, I change the oil once a year and check it every time I go out. Its cheap insurance considering what I paid for the boat. I was told the synthetic was best and to be truthful the cost of the oil change is not really a factor.

 

[smokeonthewater]

You should be changing at least twice a year

 

[bruceb58]

You should be changing at least twice a year

My Mercury outboard manual says once a year or 100 hours, whichever comes first. Since most people only use their boats 6 months out of the year, probably fine to do it once.

 

[smokeonthewater]

I should have said IMHO...
On this point we disagree.... I strongly prefer more frequent oil changes.

A fine example is BMW saying that the fully synthetic oil in my 2001 330 is good for 15000 miles... It is well known however that the oil in this engines however needs to be changed every 5000 if you want the engine to last.

 

[roffey]

My manual is 100 hours or once a year but changing more often is most likely best. So I will take Smokes advice and change it half way through the year. I have a boat lift and can change it right at the dock.

 

[bruceb58]

My manual is 100 hours or once a year but changing more often is most likely best. So I will take Smokes advice and change it half way through the year. I have a boat lift and can change it right at the dock.

How many hours do you put on in a year?

 

[roffey]

The boat is a year and a half old and I have 89 hours... so my guess is 50 hr a season.

 

[bruceb58]

The boat is a year and a half old and I have 89 hours... so my guess is 50 hr a season.

No need at all to change it twice a season.

 

[bassman284]

My Mercury outboard manual says once a year or 100 hours, whichever comes first. Since most people only use their boats 6 months out of the year, probably fine to do it once.

Yeah, twice a year is way overkill. In some cases, once a year is overkill. Depends how you use it.

 

[WIMUSKY]

My Mercury outboard manual says once a year or 100 hours, whichever comes first. Since most people only use their boats 6 months out of the year, probably fine to do it once.

6 months, I wish......

To change the oil twice a year you would have to be a hardcore boater. Or, own a charter fishing boat......

 

[smokeonthewater]

Or figure that $20 is CHEAP insurance.

 

[bruceb58]

Or figure that $20 is CHEAP insurance.

Equivalent of changing oil in your car at 2000 miles in his case.

Growing up, we used to put on 150-200 hours a year on our engine. We changed it twice a year as well as the gear oil.

 

[smokeonthewater]

I have vehicles that sometimes get way less than 2000 miles on an oil change...
My generator gets the oil changed every 50 hours even though the manual calls for every 100.
Again, IMHO.... I prefer to spend the same money on less expensive oil changed more often... Fewer contaminants in fresher oil...