Oil Question On 4 Stroke Outboards

[gss036]

I have a new Honda 225 HP motor and am coming up quickly on the 20 hour oil change.
The Honda owners manual says : Honda reccomends that you use API SERVICE cattegory SG, SH, SJ, or SL oil with the "starburst" certification mark displayed on the container. They reccomend SAE 10-30 oil.
I read that as being regular automobile engine oil. I did mention to a Honda mechanic this morning that I had a case of Penzoil 10-30, his first comments was to throw it away as it is aparrifin based oil should be used in auto engines.
I do have a case of Penzoil, but also hace a case of Shell oil as well. Any comments would be welcome

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Oil Question On 4 Stroke Outboards

this link might help you decide

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/dukeOfOil.pdf

 

[gss036]

Re: Oil Question On 4 Stroke Outboards

The article is very interesting. I am under the impression that Shell oil makes Penzoil, yes?/No?. It sure doesn't do much to help in making the best/right choice. Seeing that I have a case of Penzoil, that is probably what I will use. I probably won't put 100 hours per year anymore since we are so restricted on when we can fish, typically 6 months out of the year.
More comments are sure welcome.

 

[haskindm]

Re: Oil Question On 4 Stroke Outboards

Changing oil does NOT make you an expert on oil. Would you want the janitor in a hospital to perform heart surgery on you? That would be almost the same as listening to a mechanic over the engine manufacturer/designer. You've got to love the guys from Jiffy Lube and other similar places that insist that the engineers that designed your engine don't know what they are talking about and that you should use a different weight oil than is recommended in your owner's manual! If the oil (any brand) has the API "Starburst" symbol on the container and indicates that it meets SJ or SL standards then it should be fine for your engine. Each of us has preferences as to brands that we like (for example I PREFER synthetic oil) but those are personal preferences usually, just like each of us has a differrent favorite fast-food place. Stick with the owner's manual recomendations, and maybe look for a mechanic that has a clue.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Oil Question On 4 Stroke Outboards

Stick with the owner's manual recomendations, and maybe look for a mechanic that has a clue.

Penzoil has not had a Paraffn base oil for a long time and is one of the best oils out there. You can use it with no issues whatsover!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[gss036]

Re: Oil Question On 4 Stroke Outboards

Thanks LubeDude for the info. Good info. They guy was just raising up my new Honda 225 and we were chatting although he says he has been working on motors for 20 years. Myself I started working on engines/clutches etc at about 16-17 and that was 50 years ago ;-}