Opinions on oil types for '03 4 cycle 40 HP Merc?

[joaklay]

I know, it's not really a Merc but Merc has their own "4 cycle oil" which isn't exactly cheap at the dealer considering that it seems to be just regular 10W30 petroleum oil. <br /> Is there any good reason why I couldn't use any other good automotive 10W30 engine oil?<br /><br /> Synthetics like Mobil 1 OK?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Opinions on oil types for '03 4 cycle 40 HP Merc?

The best choice at the moment is Yamaha's 4M 10W-30 or 40. It's the only marine-approved FC-W oil on the market at this time and was the benchmark for developing marine-specific 4-stroke oil. Otherwise any good quality oil will be no worse than anything else out there. Synthetics have their place, but I don't believe they're necessary in outboards. The main advantages are improved hi-temp breakdown tolerance and it remains thinner at lower temps. Neither factor is a problem in marine applications.

 

[imported_Curmudgeon]

Re: Opinions on oil types for '03 4 cycle 40 HP Merc?

It's the only marine-approved oil on the market at this time ..<br /><br />What makes an oil "marine-approved"?

 

[joaklay]

Re: Opinions on oil types for '03 4 cycle 40 HP Merc?

I'd have to second that question too. Merc sells their own "marine approved" oil too and "made specifically for Merc 4 cycle outboards" BUT being an auto tech (admittedly not a marine tech), to me even though we're talking about an outboard, it's still just a normal 4 cycle engine really when you think about it.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Opinions on oil types for '03 4 cycle 40 HP Merc?

Same dudes that rate TCW-3 outboard oil have formulated standards on 4-stroke marine oils. It's brand new and only Yamaha has an approved oil, although I'm sure the competition isn't far behind.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Opinions on oil types for '03 4 cycle 40 HP Merc?

Originally posted by WillyBWright:<br /> It's the only marine-approved FC-W oil on the market at this time.

Sorry Willy, your out of the know on this one.<br /><br />These oils all meet the FCW designation and I dont even see the Yamaha oil on the list from the NMMA.<br /><br /><br />FB-10125A MERCURY SYNTHETIC BLEND 4-STROKE/CYCLE OIL MERCURY MARINE <br />FB-20110E PRO STAR 4 STROKE 25W40 OUTBOARD OIL KINPAK, INC. <br />FB-20111E PRO STAR 4 STROKE 10W40 OUTBOARD OIL KINPAK, INC. <br />FB-20112E PRO STAR 4 STROKE 10W30 OUTBOARD OIL KINPAK, INC. <br />FB-20206B NEPTUNA SPEEDER 10W-30 TOTAL LUBRIFIANTS <br />FB-21000B SIERRA FC-W 4-STROKE MARINE 10W30 OUTBOARD ENGINE LUBRICATION TECHNOLOGIES <br />FB-21001B SIERRA FC-W 4-STROKE 25W40 ENGINE OIL LUBRICATION TECHNOLOGIES <br />FB-21002B SIERRA SYNTHETIC FC-W 10W30 OUTBOARD ENGINE OIL LUBRICATION TECHNOLOGIES INC <br />FB-30010B AMSOIL FORMULA 4-STROKE, MARINE, SYNTHETIC 10W40 MOTOR OIL AMSOIL INC <br />FB-30011B AMSOIL FORMULA 4-STROKE, MARINE, SYNTHETIC 10W30 MOTOR OIL AMSOIL INC <br />FB-30018B SHELL NAUTILAUS 4T OUTBOARD MOTOR OIL SHELL CANADA PRODUCTS LTD <br />FB-30025B PENNZOIL MARINE PREMIUM OUTBOARD 4-CYCLE 10W-30 SOPUS PRODUCTS <br />FB-31000B NISSAN PREMIUM FOUR-STROKE OIL TOHATSU AMERICA CORP <br />FB-31001B TOHATSU PREMIUM FOUR-STROKE OIL TOHATSU AMERICA CORP <br />FB-40002B RAVENOL OUTBOARDOEL 4T RAVENSBERGER SCHMIERSTOFFVERTRIEB GmbH <br />FB-42100G Q8 OUTBOARD 4T KUWAIT PETROLEUM RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Opinions on oil types for '03 4 cycle 40 HP Merc?

I based that on the packaging we have on all the oil we just got in. The only bottles with FC-W on the labels were Yamalube. Old stock from the others I suppose. Some have a "Marine Grade Lubricant" on them, but not FC-W. I imagine there's a whole lotta oil that needs to get used up before the new labels get around.<br /><br />Rearding the difference, marine applications usually run much cooler, especially outboards. I expect the marine grades allow for that and the increased environmental moisture content inherent in a marine atmosphere. I imagine that, like marine gearlubes, water content is a big factor that automotive oils just don't have to deal with. Not to mention full-throttle operation for long periods.

 

[orca]

Re: Opinions on oil types for '03 4 cycle 40 HP Merc?

Pull up a chair<br />Methinks we have the makings of a good oil war here.

 

[joaklay]

Re: Opinions on oil types for '03 4 cycle 40 HP Merc?

"Regarding the difference, marine applications usually run much cooler, especially outboards. I expect the marine grades allow for that and the increased environmental moisture content inherent in a marine atmosphere. I imagine that, like marine gearlubes, water content is a big factor that automotive oils just don't have to deal with. Not to mention full-throttle operation for long periods"<br /><br /> OK, that makes sense. Thanks for the explanation.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Opinions on oil types for '03 4 cycle 40 HP Merc?

Here's a good link for current info...<br /> http://www.nmma.org/certification/programs/oils/fc-w.asp <br /><br />AMSOIL IS MARINE CERTIFIED! That's worth a topic all by itself.

 

[joaklay]

Re: Opinions on oil types for '03 4 cycle 40 HP Merc?

Amsoil IS on that list that you linked.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Opinions on oil types for '03 4 cycle 40 HP Merc?

Originally posted by WillyBWright:<br />[QB<br />AMSOIL IS MARINE CERTIFIED! That's worth a topic all by itself. [/QB]

I find it hard to beleive myself that old Al spent the money also.

 

[TheOilDoc]

Re: Opinions on oil types for '03 4 cycle 40 HP Merc?

YAMAHA 4-M FC-W

 

[joaklay]

Re: Opinions on oil types for '03 4 cycle 40 HP Merc?

Went with the Yamalube. Thanks guys.