4 stroke outboard oil???

nicknight

Seaman
Joined
Aug 16, 2010
Messages
65
I have been to 2 large automotive/all purpose stores looking for 10w30 marine oil but they do not sell it. They do sell 10w40 and 25w40

my manual says 25w40 can be run over 4C and 10w30 can do the same range but also below 4C.

I have a late model 40HP Mercury 4-stroke tiller used for fishing and mostly I am doing stop and go....no high speed stuff.


One guy said to use car 10w30 because there was no difference, is that true???
Am I to get 10w40 marine, 10w30 marine or 10w30 car(?!!) oil?

Nicknight
 

HT32BSX115

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 8, 2005
Messages
10,083
Re: 4 stroke outboard oil???

One guy said to use car 10w30 because there was no difference, is that true???
Am I to get 10w40 marine, 10w30 marine or 10w30 car(?!!) oil?

Nicknight

You know, the oil threads always go the same way.

"here's what I use and I've never had a problem"

If you do not want to use what Mercury suggests, Use what ever you want. It's all been tried and it all pretty much works.

Is FC-W the "best" stuff to use or is it better or different?

You'll have to read and decide for yourself.

http://www.nmma.org/certification/certification/oil/fc-w.aspx


Regards,


Rick
 

nicknight

Seaman
Joined
Aug 16, 2010
Messages
65
Re: 4 stroke outboard oil???

yes....I read a few of the oil threads and yes FC-W rated / marine rate is what I want.

But, why are the large distributors not carrying 10w30????
One does carry mercury/quicksilver oil but only in 25w40 Am I reading the labels wrong? Is there some other designation?
 

HT32BSX115

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 8, 2005
Messages
10,083
Re: 4 stroke outboard oil???

Hard to say. Stocking one brand/type over another is a thing that depends how many people buy each.

"Wally World" usually stocks the most popular stuff what ever it is.....
 

TOHATSU GURU

Admiral
Joined
Jul 22, 2004
Messages
6,164
Re: 4 stroke outboard oil???

"But, why are the large distributors not carrying 10w30????"

Incredibly low demand for it versus other types of oil. They are not interested in selling 5 quarts twice a month.
 

nicknight

Seaman
Joined
Aug 16, 2010
Messages
65
Re: 4 stroke outboard oil???

Well I took the trip (1 hour round trip) to a mercury repair place and picked some up. They had lots and sell lots. It was Mercury brand too.

I could not find it at Canadian Tire or Royal Distributing...usually they don't really care and will keep stuff sitting on the shelf for years without selling one.

thanks for the input!

NickNight
 

HT32BSX115

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 8, 2005
Messages
10,083
Re: 4 stroke outboard oil???

IMHO......You really do not "need" 10W30 vs SAE 30W.

Very few of us operate our engines in temps that would require a 10W-XX oil.

After I read the specs and certification requirements of NMMA FC-W oil, it appears that it's really suited for engines that are stored in the water, at the marina.

I believe, if you fog an engine, (or not....& store it in your dry garage), or use it year-round, you probably don't really need to use FC-W oil at all. (and many do not use it in anything (I/O or outboard) and it's REALLY hard to use any marine engine in far enough below freezing weather to need 0W-30, or even 5W-30, 5W-20 etc...... (um......the lake is frozen over people.....!!!!:eek:)

I had a 66 Mark Twain with a 150 Mercruiser that Dad bought new......he NEVER used anything but straight 30w (cheapest brand) & I sold it in 2005 and it still ran good....

I don't think oil had anything to do with anything.......Other than it was changed every year before winter layup...(and he even used it for winter fishing trips too)


Just saying.........



Rick
 
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