Bravo 3 oil

[scoflaw]

Anyone have better luck with a different oil other than Merc hi-performance. My oil will be black at a100 hours/1 year. I drive it moderately and have drive showers which did help a bit. Mercruiser suggested pulling the boat and changing at 50 hours, which would be a real PITA. Not sure why these drives are running so hot.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Just because it's black, don't mean it's bad,....

I run Valvoline or Mobil 1, 75W-90 in my drives, 'bout the same as Merc Hi-per. but without the pretty color dye,....
They're all full syn-oils, All top Quality gear oil, 'n slipperier than 'ell,...

Starts out amber yellow oil, 'n comes out darker, or much darker, or black after a season,....
No big deal, black oil is workin' oil,....

 

[alldodge]

The Off shore folks recommend amsoil extreme gear lube for their drives.

That said, with your running 100 hours, so I don't see a major issue, but will ask
What drive shower are you using?

 

[NHGuy]

Yeah, I have a motor that's too big for my drive and I run Amsoil Severe Gear 75W110 in my Alpha Gen II. I baby my takeoffs and so far, it's good!

 

[scoflaw]

Not sure what brand the showers were, but the tubing diameter looks small to me. They did make a small difference and I can see a bit of color after the 100 hours. No metal in the oil. Just had a drive failure at 650 hours, that's what has me concerned. ​Will the amsoil severe gear oil work with the bravo cone clutch ?