Changing to Synthetic Oil ?

[rdkimmel]

My 2000 Islandia has used Quicksilver premium for the past many years but now I'm considering Pennziol synthetic because of the reduced cost, about half the price. I've read a few articles that say it won't make much of a difference in motors that were built past 1980'ish.

Has anyone had experience with this?

 

[rookie101]

If it's a good quality TC-W3 oil you should be fine. My little 200 Optimax only burns about a gallon or a gallon and a half a season, so I've never worried about the price. How many hours are you putting on a season that's it's a problem?

Aaron:cheers:

 

[rdkimmel]

Synthetic oil

I just got the boat a few months ago and am getting a feel for the oil/gas usage and am trying to save a few buck where I can. I use about a gallon of oil per tank of gas and use about a 1/3 tank per weekend. The Quicksilver is about $28 and a tank of gas is about $150. If I use the Penzzoil, I can also get a 12 pak and a bag of chips at each fill up for the same price.

 

[rookie101]

A gallon of oil a tank !!!!!!!!:ack:

The Mercury is set-up to run at 100:1 at idle and 50:1 at full throttle. Even if you started the boat at wide open and kept it there the entire time you should not be burning that much oil. Are you premixing, or using the injection system? If you're using the injection system, check to see if the rod from the throttle to the oil pump is still connected. I have a feeling it has come off or is timed wrong.

With average use a gallon of oil should last between four and nine tanks of fuel depending on throttle opening.

Aaron:cheers:

 

[Scottsmach03]

I did this switch because of the cheaper price as well. But, I ended up switching back because the penzoil smokes allot more. No difference in performance but allot more smoke with the penzoil.

 

[Adam X20]

Any Beefs against changing to Amsoil HPI ????
Or Advice doing the change?
Can you Mix brands at change time? (Merc 5% almost empty/Amsoil95%)

 

[Adam X20]

Any Beefs against changing to Amsoil HPI ????
Or Advice doing the change?
Can you Mix brands at change time? (Merc 5% almost empty/Amsoil95%)

 

[Adam X20]

Any Beefs against changing to Amsoil HPI ????
Or Advice doing the change?
Can you Mix brands at change time? (Merc 5% almost empty/Amsoil95%)

 

[WAJetboating]

A gallon of oil per tank is INSANE. Something is horribly wrong.

Must be a TON of smoke following you around on the water. Yikes!

I'd recommend fixing whatever is wrong with your engine, then sticking with Mercury Premium Plus. As noted by another respondent, it smokes a lot less than other brands and the exhaust isn't as smelly either.

Rule of thumb: Always buy the best lubricants you can afford. That's an expensive engine you're protecting....

 

[Adam X20]

Mine runs fine, the other guys (rdkimmel) is the burner....

My question was leading to Amsoil being a full synthetic (not blend like Merc)
being superior?
No $$$ Savings
What is BEST?

 

[WAJetboating]

I use AMSOil in my Rotax 2-stroke engines, but...

...in the Mercury 240EFI I continue to use Mercury/Quicksilver Premium Plus. As you note, there's really no cost savings so that's not a motivation. I also talked to someone at AMSOil and while they aggressively recommend their products for almost every engine you can think of, they are "cautious" and "cagey" when it comes to the 2.5L and 3.0L Mercury engines. That really made me think.

I have tried other marine 2-stroke oils and they smoked and stank much more than PP. Finally, while I know manufacturers want to sell you their inflated and expensive products, Mercury knows their engines better than anyone and PP is what they recommend. Not a deal-maker but definitely a consideration.

Since there is no financial incentive to go elsewhere, and there are definite smoke and smell incentives to stick with PP, and there just might possibly be some additive advantages to the Mercury product, I've chosen to stick with PP.

 

[TnTLQ]

"do not use synthetic oil" 4-tec

I use only synthetic oil in all my stuff after break-in, but as far as the boat, the owners manual is specific, and references the super charger clutch as the reason why. We are pushing well over 200Hp out of these 3 cylinder, 1.5L why take a chance?

 

[seadoosnipe]

Scic..?

I read an article last fall where they "BRP" have actually come out with a synthetic oil that you can now run in your SC/SCIC engines. I'm sure it's got to be the newer models with the revised Stainless washers, no ceramic...

There is a thread in the forum somewhere because I had to validate what the member said. He sent me a link to the site from BRP that listed it, so yeah, you can use synthetic in them now. I'd just be sure to check with a BRP certified mechanci first. I'll see if I can find that old thread....:cheers: