Yet another oil question - but this one more specific

[MajBach]

So far, most of the discussions on oil have been on it's two-stroke application. I need some input on oil for four strokes.<br />Typically, I am not a brand name buyer on most items, including oil. Although , I don't usually go for the cheapest either. However, since I've owned my Honda OB, I have always used Honda oil - guess I am just over-protective of my baby. Aside from the synthetic/non-synthetic debates we see here often, it would appear that most of what I read here suggests that changing the oil often is far more important than the brand of oil. <br />I have justfied using the Honda oil over say, the oil I use in my car(the former being at least three times the cost) to date becasue I have heard from two employees in marinas that the Honda oil is semi-synthetic and that 'marine' oil is different than auto oil. There is nothing on a can of Honda oil that states specifically that it is synthetic, although it claims that there are some additives in it exclusive to Honda. Someone here stated that is is not as unique as Honda suggests and is in fact an additive found in almost all oils. <br />The person that told me to use 'marine' oil, not my usual Valvoline, stated that marine oil has special anti-foaming agents in it.<br />So, what does everyone else think? Regular auto-oil, 'marine' oil or Honda oil?

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Yet another oil question - but this one more specific

What weight does the manual call for?

 

[Terry H]

Re: Yet another oil question - but this one more specific

MajBach...I'm a firm believer in using the manufacturers recomendations on the subject of oil. They spend alot of money on engineers and testing to give us a successful relationship with the motors they sell to us. You don't need to use their own brand of oil, but you do need to use an oil with the same additives. As far as changing oil...doesn't hurt to change it more often, but the motor maker's oil change schedule should always be used as the guideline for filter and oil changes. You can't go wrong following the maker's directions, anything else is just a guess...just a Thought

 

[MajBach]

Re: Yet another oil question - but this one more specific

I can't be 100% without looking it up but I am pretty sure that it says to use any SAE approved 10W40. there might be a 'J' in there somewhere by the SAE. I know it doesn't say to use Honda oil, but there has got to be differences from one to the next.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Yet another oil question - but this one more specific

This year you will see FC-W rated oils from the suppliers and the factories. The National Marine Manufacture's Assoc. set standards that the certified 4-stroke outboard oils must meet. Shortly you will see that FC-W oils are required in new motors to protect the warranty, just like TC-W3 oils are required in 2 stroke outboards.<br /><br />The March issue of Bass and Walleye Boats magazine tested 4-stroke outboard oils and had a good article about them.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Yet another oil question - but this one more specific

There is no doubt I would use a synthetic. These engines beat the you know what out of oils. They dont hold much and it really dosnt cost that much to use a premium oil. Follow manufactures recomendation for change intervals and grade. It probably is SJ you are refuring to.<br /><br />Mobil 1 is a good choice, but if I was out of warantee, personnaly I would go twice as long between changes If I were using Mobil 1, but thats just me. And, If I wernt a dealer in another oil, I would use the Mobil 1 10W-40 Motorcycle oil. Its engineered for air and water cooled Bikes, and if its good for a motor cycle that runs hard, it has to be good for an outboard. Just my thoughts. Im not actually telling you to do this, Im just saying what I would do. Sure there are aditives there that are there for the cluches and gear boxes, but they arent going to hurt your engine in any way.

 

[BillP]

Re: Yet another oil question - but this one more specific

I'm with using whatever the mfg says. Like already posted, the engine mfgs know best. You may not find Honda oil at a discount but Merc's marine 4 stroke oil is on the shelves of Boater's World for approx 1/2 of what the merc dealer sells it for. At least it's labeled for 4 stroke ob motors. Is it different than auto oil?...hexx if I know. Honda probably specs automotive grade in the owners manual since there aren't "TCW type specs" for 4 stroke oil yet.

 

[MajBach]

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 it’s a real pain if I am set on putting Honda oil in. I am no fanatic on Hondas or anything, just didn’t want the hassle of deciding on anything else and it’s not a heck of a lot of more money. But it’s 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 it’s 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 didn’t 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, it’s kinda like a cross between NAPA and Walmart.<br />They didn’t 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 ‘you’ve got the wrong gear case oil in there. You can tell because it’s 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 “You’d 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 didn’t 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 it’s not a specific oil other than stating it’s a gear oil. It also states it’s 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”. It’s 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 it’s 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!

 

[Terry H]

Re: Yet another oil question - but this one more specific

I think you made the right choices...I don't know what the color thing is with the l/u lube but API GL-5 is what is called for so it will work fine. The Castrol GTX is also the right choice...not to worry...just a Thought

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Yet another oil question - but this one more specific

You are actually making this a lot harder than it is. First off you could use any oil specified SH, SF, SJ. It dont matter, its going to burn down to personal perference. I would recomend Chevron Dellow 400 in a non synthetic, because it is loaded with additives good for engines that work hard and is a reasonable price. You have my recomendation for a synthetic. I still would recomend a synthetic. Any synthetic would be great though. If you like Castrol, use the syntech. Dont worry, be happy, its just oil. I heard that somewhere on this forum.