4 stroke outboard oil

[marv plotzka]

I was at my local dealer looking at 4 stroke outboard motor oil. I was a little surprised to find that it differed from the oils used in I/O’s. I/O’s generally use straight 30w. The three brands my dealer carries, Honda Johnson, Merc, all required 10w30. I was informed I would need the synthetic 10w30 for the Johnson I have on order. Not a big deal, but none of the bottles of oil had an “API” quality grade on them, such as “ SJ, SL, CC, CD” etc, or “API” Starburst Symbol. Dose anyone know what “API” quality grade these oils are. I thought I might catch Mobil or Valvoline on sale this winter and save a few bucks over the dealers prices.

 

[JB]

Re: 4 stroke outboard oil

Hi, Marv.<br /><br />Mobil 1 in my Suzi DF70. 5W40 because I boat year 'round.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Forktail]

Re: 4 stroke outboard oil

It is odd that the API service is not printed on the bottle. Was this Johnson oil, Bombardier oil, or an off-brand? Most reputable synthetic 10W-30 outboard oils will be listed API SH or SJ. I would recommend finding one that is. <br /><br />Yamaha recommends my 4-strokes run on 10W-30 or 10W-40 which meet any of API's SE, SF, SG, SH, or SJ specification. The Yamaha 4-stroke synthetic 10W-30 I use has an API SH rating printed right on the bottle. My 4-stroke 10W-30 non-synthetic has an API SJ rating on the bottle. 5W-40 is not one of their recommended viscosities.<br /><br />The API letter "S" represents oil suitable for gasoline engines. Some refer to the "S" as "Service". The letter "C" represents oil suitable for diesel engines. Some refer to the "C" as "Commercial". I do not recommend an API rating of "Cx" for a gasoline engine, or a "Sx" for a diesel engine.<br /><br />The API quality mark is not mandatory, and not all oil manufacturers use it. The lack of the symbol does not mean the oil is bad. However, the API mark is licensed to oil marketers who must meet specific requirements set by the API in order for their oil to be certified. It is a way of controling a quality product for the consumer.<br /><br />I found a fresh bottle of 2-stroke Bombardier oil which does not have the TCW-3 approval. The oil was manufactured in Canada. Then I found a fresh bottle of 2-stroke Yamaha oil which did have the TCW-3 approval. This oil was manufactured in the US.<br /><br />I believe the API rating came about from a program between the USA's big 3 auto makers, Japan's auto makers, and the oil companies. I don't believe outboards, etc were really a consideration, but the outboard makers like to take advantage of the quality of API oils.<br /><br />Hope you find this interesting.

 

[jegervais]

Re: 4 stroke outboard oil

The manufacturers recommend their brand of oil, because that is what they test with. <br /><br />If you refer to your owners manual you will find a staement recommending a specific "API" oil to use if the recommended oil is unavailable. One of the above posts mentioned Mobil 1, I have used that oil in my 9.9 Yamaha begining in it's second year of service (that was 1996) and during servicing last spring, I found the engine internals spotlessly clean. The synthetics are good stuff - But make sure you do an adequate break-in with petrolium-based oils (so everything seats properly) or you'll end up burning that expensive synthetic stuff as it gets by the rings.<br /><br />-John

 

[marv plotzka]

Re: 4 stroke outboard oil

Yes, I found it odd that the API service class was not printed on the oil bottle. It was Johnson / Bombardier 10w30 4 stroke synthetic. As the boat and motor are on order for spring delivery, I don’t have an owners manual yet. I had asked the dealer about it, but they use Merc oil in Merc’s, Honda oil in Honda’s, etc, and didn’t really know. Also, the 140 four stroke is new to Johnson for 2003. JB’s Suzuki DF70 probably uses the same oil, If someone owns a 2002 Suzuki DF140, the information I am looking for would be in there owners manual. If Yamaha publishes API specs, maybe Johnson or Suzuki dose as well