marine four stroke oil article

Interesting read; too bad it is over 10 years old.....However, my 2000 hour honda 45s are as clean as new inside when I adjust valves every year and I use Mobil One full synthetic. Interesting how some of the outboard oils didn't protect against rust as well as the auto oils in this test. I personally think good oil, changing it often, and operating your engine conservatively, goes a long ways for longevity.
 
I know my Yamaha mechanics are using Yamalube. Not sure how well it is doing. I used Penzoil exclusively in my Toyota Tercel wagon, and sold it with 580,000 miles and still running strong. Have had some mechanics turn up their nose at Penzoil, but it worked for me.

Will be talking to my Yamaha and Toyota mechanics soon. (Agree, too bad this article is 10 years old, but it may still be relevant.)

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
hardee":3kr4h6ci said:
I know my Yamaha mechanics are using Yamalube. Not sure how well it is doing. I used Penzoil exclusively in my Toyota Tercel wagon, and sold it with 580,000 miles and still running strong. Have had some mechanics turn up their nose at Penzoil, but it worked for me.

Will be talking to my Yamaha and Toyota mechanics soon. (Agree, too bad this article is 10 years old, but it may still be relevant.)

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Click to expand...

I remember being told growing up on the family farm to never use Penzoil from my uncle (our farm mechanic) as it had a very high sulfur content. And he's not the only one I heard it from. Apparently sludge is formed from a high sulfur content, but I'm no chemist. I have no idea if Penzoil got this reputation fairly, or was BS. No matter, Penzoil is a very reputable oil for sure now.
 
What I find interesting, is that they didn't bother to test for any differences in lubrication. Wouldn't that be the first thing to test in a comparison of oils?
 
In an internet search--one of the better articles was by Consumer Reports in 1999. They used New York Taxis. and oil change intervals of 6,000 miles. Generally not a not of difference in the various oils. But if they extended the oil change interval to 12,000 miles, there were engine failures. They did very extensive testing with wear criteria. More recent testing does not seem to change the conclusions.

I have used the "brand oil" until the warrantee was out on outboard motors, and then went with Penzoil. For the cars and trucks--the dealer until warrantee out--and then Penzoil. The diesels--Mostly Shell Rotella as the primary, or Chevron Delo if the Rotella is not available.

All of the base stock for motor oils comes from the same sources--and can vary from batch to batch. The additives are what make the difference.

Also the quality of filters is different, and it is important to get the best filters available.--again--there are only so many filter manufactures. Like motor oil--Yamaha oil and filters are made by one of the major manufactures to Yamaha's specs (Merc, Suzuki, Honda etc--are all the same).

As in any engine, the more you run the engine, the better. The worst enemy of our outboards is sitting for months and not being used. If they are not used, it is best to change the oil before lay up and fog the engines.

The engines which last the longest are those which are used in commercial/government use, where they are run every day.
 
Captains Cat - I'm sure there are several ways to test lubrication properties. Here's the results of one such test that uses some expensive, calibrated equipment (LINK). But, I'm sure a guy could figure out how to get similar results with cheaper methods, even if those results were only internally comparative in nature, and couldn't be calibrated/compared to other independent test results.
 
I agree with Dr. Bob on fogging the engine if not used for long periods. My engine sits idle for 6 1/2 to 7 months every year. So even though Honda does not specify it, we fog the engine prior to storage every year.
 
So are a lot of folks here using automotive synthetic oil for their boats?

I am needing to do both of my engines before next season and this would certainly save me a few bucks.

Any suggestions of brands and weight of oils for Puget Sound use of a Yamaha F100's 4 stroke carbureted.
 
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