Oil Question

N3UP

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 14, 2010
Messages
125
It's been about 12 years since I had a running boat.

Cleaning up that garage last week I found that I have about a gallon and a half of Quicksliver O/B oil left from the old boat.

I know that I need to use TCW3 oil in the new boat (96 Mariner 225 3.0L carb).

The jugs of oil I found are marked TCW3 (to my surprise since they are at least 12 yrs old).
Can I use this oil?
Does oil go bad?
One jug is still sealed never opened, the other is about half full.

Has the TCW3 rating changed over the years?

Any opinions on Penzoil TCW3 or Wallyworld oil (Supertech) vs Quicksilver oil?
I have seen the Penzoil for a full $10 cheaper per gallon than the Merc oil.

I'm all for saving a buck, especially with the prospect of $4 /gal gas this summer, but not if it's going to be bad for the motor.
 

1nebel0

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 28, 2005
Messages
512
Re: Oil Question

I have always been against Pennzoil but now run in all my merc's to include racing motors using the full synthetic... Jay Smith out of Texas gave me the run down that the oil is very good..he builds racing Mercury outboards and his word is good enough for me.. He does say not to use full syn in steel bore motors which are you basic fishing motors...some of the newer motors that are chrome bore and of course my racing motors are Nickasil use the syn. My oil ratio from the factory is to mix 40/1...there is no oil injection on Bridgeport motors....
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,087
Re: Oil Question

If the opened oil is clean, run it. The sealed container is fine as well. I normally use the Wallyworld stuff. About this time of year, it can go on sale for $7 or $8 a gallon. I would use any oil rated at TCW-III
 

Hubboat

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Feb 25, 2011
Messages
76
Re: Oil Question

I would use it, regardless of today's engine requirements, that 12 year old oil is a couple years newer than your engine.

Interesting thing I heard about oil... a friends newer OMC has different computer settings based on what oil you use (syn, semi-syn, dino), mixes more or less depending.

If marine oil opinions are anything like automobile oil opinions, there should be some heated threads here about the subject.
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,753
Re: Oil Question

The oil is good.

If the tcw3 standard would have changed, it would be tcw4.
Anyway, that is the oil called for for your motor, it does not go bad.

Personally, I use WesCan oil in all my outboards.
Its the best.
Can be used in any 2-stroke or DFI 2-stroke, and can be used in the crankcase of a 4-stroke.
It also works as gearlube and t'nt fluid. I also use it as antifreeze and trans fluid in my Dodge v-10. :)
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,087
Re: Oil Question

Gee, It appears that Roscoe got a hold of some Snake oil.

Roscoe, does that oil take out the garbage, or babysit?
 
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