Marine gear oil vs car oil

[SkaterRace]

I was talking to someone and they said that if I found the right car oil that the only difference would be a certain additive in the marine gear oil/lube. Is this correct and would anyone know the type of oil I would need to buy?

 

[GA_Boater]

Marine lower unit oil. WallyWorld and many auto parts stores carry the stuff.

 

[merc850]

I was talking to someone and they said that if I found the right car oil that the only difference would be a certain additive in the marine gear oil/lube. Is this correct and would anyone know the type of oil I would need to buy?

That's why we have this forum, to help people who are getting bad advice that makes a motor a wreck. Do not use motor oil in the gas either use only Marine TCW-3!

 

[SkaterRace]

Marine lower unit oil. WallyWorld and many auto parts stores carry the stuff.

Around here the only place that carries it is Canadian Tire and they are $20 per litre which I found to be expensive and when I mentioned it to my friend he said about using a car gear oil.

 

[GA_Boater]

Price the parts in your lower unit if you think 20 bucks is expensive.

One liter will probably give you two complete changes.

 

[merc850]

A Mercury dealer has it - Quicksilver branded synthetic blend. I use Amsoil and I go at least 2 seasons with it.

 

[Alumarine]

Around here the only place that carries it is Canadian Tire and they are $20 per litre which I found to be expensive and when I mentioned it to my friend he said about using a car gear oil.

That's for the Quicksilver High Performance which is very good.
They should have the MotoMaster Formula 1 Gear Oil part no. 28-1700-4 for $9.99 or can get it ordered in.

I don't know where around here is but Partsource should have it as well.

 

[SkaterRace]

That's for the Quicksilver High Performance which is very good.
They should have the MotoMaster Formula 1 Gear Oil part no. 28-1700-4 for $9.99 or can get it ordered in.

I don't know where around here is but Partsource should have it as well.

Did not know about that one had not seen it. Looked it up and it seems they do have it in. Guess that will be my go to then.

 

[SkaterRace]

Price the parts in your lower unit if you think 20 bucks is expensive.

One liter will probably give you two complete changes.

Just because something is cheaper than something else does not make it a good deal or buy. Spending money on things that don't matter is dumb. I asked here to see if the suggestion was good or not. Turns out is a bad idea so no I won't be going with it but as mentioned if it had of been a viable solution I sure would have gone with it to save some money. Less money wasted means more gas for the boat.

 

[merc850]

Personally I would go synthetic less friction and longer life with better water isolation. You should use synth 2 cycle oil, burns cleaner and protects better and you can use less - I have a 1975 850 and for 5 years I've been running at 70:1, clean plugs, better idle and no smoke cloud; the oil is rated for 100:1 but I feel my ratio is good for my motor.

 

[SkaterRace]

Personally I would go synthetic less friction and longer life with better water isolation. You should use synth 2 cycle oil, burns cleaner and protects better and you can use less - I have a 1975 850 and for 5 years I've been running at 70:1, clean plugs, better idle and no smoke cloud; the oil is rated for 100:1 but I feel my ratio is good for my motor.

I am talking about gear oil not what you put in the gas. It is also known as lower unit lube.

 

[82rude]

You can get synth gear oil also at cnd tire.Marine gear oil has an anti-foaming/expanding additive in it .Car gear oil doesn't have that as theres lots of room for expansion in an auto gearcase.

 

[hardwater fisherman]

No Title

I use the castrol gear oil sold at canadian tire it is around 10 dollars for half a liter. I buy 2 each year and that is enough for my 2 motors.

 

[racerone]

The lower unit is sealed.----As long as water stays out there is no need to change it every year.----How many hrs do you put on the outboard per year ?------How many hrs on the rear end of the truck in the same time.----How many folks change the oil regularly on the pickup truck differential?

 

[Sea Rider]

Not an issue using Dino or Synthetic car gear oil provided that lower gear seals aren't letting water in and working in top shape, must meet the following spec : API GL5 SAE 80-90, just change it every 100 metered work hours. As an example Tohatsu does not require or recommends owners to use "marine gear oils" on their OB's just what's posted above.

Been using standard car oil for the past 20 years and not a single gearbox issue or failure on any of my OB's, When in need to change after 100 worked hours, old lube exists bit exhaust contaminated which is normal , but free of metal powder or particles when finger rubbed.. Use whichever you think is right or comfy with..

Happy Boating

 

[SkaterRace]

Not an issue using Dino or Synthetic car gear oil provided that lower gear seals aren't letting water in and working in top shape, must meet the following spec : API GL5 SAE 80-90, just change it every 100 metered work hours. As an example Tohatsu does not require or recommends owners to use "marine gear oils" on their OB's just what's posted above.

Been using standard car oil for the past 20 years and not a single gearbox issue or failure on any of my OB's, When in need to change after 100 worked hours, old lube exists bit exhaust contaminated which is normal , but free of metal powder or particles when finger rubbed.. Use whichever you think is right or comfy with..

Happy Boating

Okay good to know that the person who told me is not crazy or wrecking their motor. I think I'll look and see the price difference, if only a few bucks maybe not worth it but guess overtime it would add up plus would be nice to buy in large amounts.

 

[JimS123]

It never ceases to amaze me that so many people will invest a year's salary in a fancy boat, and then try to save literally a few pennies to find cheaper oil.

 

[racerone]

How can the exhaust contaminate gear oil if the lower unit is sealed ?----Where do these ideas come from ?

 

[SkaterRace]

It never ceases to amaze me that so many people will invest a year's salary in a fancy boat, and then try to save literally a few pennies to find cheaper oil.

Trying to save money on anything is not a bad idea. If it still works and does what it needs to/ you want it to then yes save all you can. I don't get the mentality of not worrying about the cost and just paying whatever it costs. Also not many people invest a year's salary into a boat you might but the majority of people who own boats don't they buy used boats that do what they want for often as cheap as they can get.

 

[Sea Rider]

How can the exhaust contaminate gear oil if the lower unit is sealed ?----Where do these ideas come from ?

Simple deduction, lower gear case is sealed at prop for water not to penetrate through, drive shaft which is also sealed at impeller housing probably seals much less efficient than prop, could allow fumes coming from OB exhaust at high rpm and pressure to eventually penetrate through drive shaft seals directly into gear case, used gear oil smells combustion like.

Why do you think OB gear oils contaminates and discolors so fast compared to a car gearcase which can be used and maintained nearly clean for hundred thousand miles. If this deduction of mine is out of this world, please enlighent us with a proper tech supported answer..

Happy Boating