Re: Yet another oil question - but this one more specific
UPDATE<br /><br />I have never had such a dilemma in buying something that up until now, has been so simple. I went out today to get some supplies to get the boat ready for the weekend. In the past, I have used either the Honda brand oil for my OB or had the shop do it. Problem is, there are no Honda marinas around here so its a real pain if I am set on putting Honda oil in. I am no fanatic on Hondas or anything, just didnt want the hassle of deciding on anything else and its not a heck of a lot of more money. But its becoming to much of an inconvenience to get it. <br />With all the threads I have read about oil this off season here, I am starting to go paranoid about making the right choice. It seems there are more differences than similarities with oils judging by what I have read here recently.<br />Anyway, I went to two places today that sell Merc, OMC, Yamaha and read all the labels on the oil. Again, especially on the Merc stuff, I read a lot about oil specifically formulated for marine outboards. No one on this board has actually confirmed or elaborated that there is such a difference. I also noticed that several of the Merc oils do not rate their oils , i.e. SAE or API. Why is that? They simply state for Merc outboards
etc. Now the Yamaha 4 stroke oil. Again, something about how special it is for marine use. I think the price is certainly special. The Yamaha stuff said it was API SJ. Now, my Honda manual states:<br /><br /> SAE 10W-30/40 engine oil or equivalent, API Service class SG, SH.<br /><br />Does an SJ rating mean its as good or better than SG, SH or are these classes unique to themselves instead of being on a ascending scale of classification?<br />I didnt end up buying any oil as I did not find one there that said SG or SH.<br />I ended up at Canadian Tire. For those Americans unfamiliar with this terrific store, its kinda like a cross between NAPA and Walmart.<br />They didnt have any marine specific 4-stroke oil, so I started sorting through the auto oil. Ended up buying Castrol GTX 10W30.It stated it was SG, SH and SJ among other things. But I am still not 100% confident as this is the same oil that I put in my car. <br />Well?<br /><br />Now for the gear oil. Yet another uncertainty. The Honda manual states:<br /><br />SAE# 90 Hypoid gear oil or equivalent, API Service classification (GL-4 or GL-5).<br /><br />My motor has been running a blue oil in it since I have owned it. Twice I put in a High performance MercLube and twice the shop put in something (same I think). Last year I had to replace the oil before leaving on a trip and the only stuff I could find was OMC. It was an expensive hi-perf and I guess SAE90. It was brown. I had the motor in the shop a few weeks later to have the valves done (they did an entire tune-up instead) and the service mgr called me and said youve got the wrong gear case oil in there. You can tell because its brown. Hmmm. They are a Honda dealer by the way.<br />So today when I am at this marina, I asked the guy what oil he recommended and he simply said 90. When I told him I had the Merc stuff in there - blue he kinda looked confused. I also said I wanted to try a synthetic oil. He said Youd best stick with the 90, I think the 90 is brown or gold. Does this mean gear lube is color-coded? His response also suggested that there is no such thing as synthetic 90. Is this true? When I picked up a bottle of the Merc stuff I had been using, I noticed it didnt state any API rating nor that it was 90 weight. Yet this is the stuff the dealer I bought the motor from AND my present service dealer use. Anyone shed some light?<br /><br />Back at Canadian Tire. They did have gear case oil as well as marine specific oil although that was another kind of Merc oil, I think it was stern drive. They also had no-name 90 and Type C oil. Then I came across a bottle of Canadian Tire house brand gear-case oil. It was a synthetic. Now its not a specific oil other than stating its a gear oil. It also states its 75W90. On the back label it reads:<br />
.premier quality synthetic and meets API GL-5 and MT-1 as well as military
.yada yada. This product can be used where an API GL-5 80W90 or 90 are specified and provides excellent
.yada yada. Its gold colored. Do you think this is a good choice for the motor?<br /><br />So can anyone help so more with these dilemmas? I know its long winded but if I leave out the details now, I just have to bring them up later. I want to be able to sleep the night before my first boat trip.<br />Thanks a 1,000,000!