Synthetic Oils for Mercs - Some News

[Ralph 123]

For what it is worth, this is from the 2004-1 hard copy issue of "DIY Boat Owner - The Marine Maintenance Magazine" Page 15 (WWW.diy-boat.com)<br /><br />I am going to paraphrase the Q&A<br /><br />A guy with a 1992 Merc 5.7L with a Bravo II writes in asking about using Synthetics. DIY responds:<br /><br />"In Oct 1997 Merc issued a service bulletin. The recommended oil for your engine is Merc or Quicksilver 25w40 marine engine oil, It is a blend of straight 25 and straight 40 designed for marine use. If that is not readily available a high quality SAE 30W detergent Auto oil with an API service rating SH, CF/CCF-2 can be used. The use of non-detergent oils, multi-viscosity oils, synthetic oils, low quality oils or oils with solid additives is specifically not recommended."<br /><br />Like I said, for what it is worth. DIY does note that they have not seen any failures from using synthetics but they recommend sticking with the 25w40. I wouldn't expect them to contradict Merc given the potential liability...

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Synthetic Oils for Mercs - Some News

Are you REALLY wanting to bring this back up? And I just ran out of popcorn!

 

[P.V.]

Re: Synthetic Oils for Mercs - Some News

Be advised, Merc recently debut'd a synthetic "blend" oil for four stroke engines, both outboard AND stern-drive!! Not fully synthetic as their testing show'd that ...cost per benifit lead them to recommend, for those who want it, a "blend (mixture) of minieral oil and synthetic" was the best "bang for the buck". I have always used Merc's 25W-40 in my Surburban(250,00 miles) and believe in it 100%, but it does get pretty black when it's drain'd. I find that synthetic tends to stay fairly "clean" in comparison!!

 

[KaGee]

Re: Synthetic Oils for Mercs - Some News

Originally posted by Fishermark:<br /> Are you REALLY wanting to bring this back up? And I just ran out of popcorn!

Thinkin the same thing! <br /><br />Hey Ralph! Glad to see ya man... been a while!

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Synthetic Oils for Mercs - Some News

Not me???

 

[rwidman]

Re: Synthetic Oils for Mercs - Some News

I have always used Merc's 25W-40 in my Suburban (250,00 miles)

Nautical miles or Statute miles?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Synthetic Oils for Mercs - Some News

My oldest son is a Cub Scout. They sell popcorn as their main fundraiser. I have lots of popcorn. <br /><br />I'll be going to some schooling soon. I'll bring it up and see what they say. What weight is it?. To me that's the main thing. If I could find a straight 30 or a 25w40 synthetic I'd have no problem with it.

 

[TheOilDoc]

Re: Synthetic Oils for Mercs - Some News

The Merc 25W-40 is the only oil I'm aware of that carries the new NMMA marine FC-W certification. The FC-W puts special requirements on marine oils above and beyond API automotive oils.<br /><br />Merc issued that statement several years ago because not all synthetic oils may be compatible, or provide the best additive package, for marine use. The fact an oil is synthetic alone does not mean its the right oil.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Synthetic Oils for Mercs - Some News

Isn't winter the time to take on all the scared cows? <br /><br />Actually, I just got around to reading the letters section of that issue (you can tell the political season is over) and, being the Christmas season, I thought I'd share <br /><br />Now, somebody help me figure out if I should convert to hydraulic steering (See boat topics other than engines)

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Synthetic Oils for Mercs - Some News

PV - Isn't 25-40 oil a bit too heavy for a car during the winters in Washington? I use it in the Mercruiser, since it is the lightest oil I can get that is still sufficient to protect the motor. It is still a bit thick for those winter morning fishing trips, so I use a 40Watt heating pad to warm the Mercruiser oil before I start the motor in cold weather.

 

[BillP]

Re: Synthetic Oils for Mercs - Some News

My merc 4 stroke ob manual says 40F min temp for 25-40w.

 

[Don S]

Re: Synthetic Oils for Mercs - Some News

This chart is from Mercruiser. Normally this site is more concerned with what you use in your I/O engine, not car, truck or outboard. <br /><br />

 

[P.V.]

Re: Synthetic Oils for Mercs - Some News

Chris, well, I don't really think it's too thick nor does it get below 0 degrees very often here. I park in my semi-heated garage vs. outside and drive about 1/2 mile 'till I get to roads where I have to "open her up"! Using Mercs oil gives me some "piece of mind" as I at least "think" it helps. Maybe it doesn't but it cost me little in cash also! I may be going to synthetic soon but then the burb will probably blow up, so i'll probably stay with the 25W-40!

 

[BillP]

Re: Synthetic Oils for Mercs - Some News

This chart is from a Mariner (Merc) 4 stroke outboard. They spec the same oil as inboards but different temps...maybe they changed the temps.<br /><br />

<br /><br />Sorry guys...I can't get it to display and don't have time to keep trying.

 

[Don S]

Re: Synthetic Oils for Mercs - Some News

That's all well and good BillP, but it's for an outboard, and this thread doesn't have anything to do with outboards.

 

[BillP]

Re: Synthetic Oils for Mercs - Some News

Originally posted by Don S:<br /> That's all well and good BillP, but it's for an outboard, and this thread doesn't have anything to do with outboards.

Don,<br />Excuse ME and thanks for monitoring me...I posted the info because it is the identical oil speced for 4 stroke outboards and thought it might spur comments on why different temp spreads are used. Raw water cooled inboards run the same tstat temps as outboards last I looked. What are the reasons...tolerances?

 

[tommays]

Re: Synthetic Oils for Mercs - Some News

leave it to oil to bring out the holiday good will<br /><br />tommays

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Synthetic Oils for Mercs - Some News

I ONLY use ARIBIA's finast! Keep it full and Olive oil might wok.