Oil Change

[Sparkey600]

Just bought my first sea ray amberjack 2005 with inboards with 300 HP 350 Mag
I am going to change the oil and the Maintenance manual say to use Quicksilver Synthetic blend 4 cycle oil. Is this true, My car experience tells me to use SAE 30 W. It's a chevy ???????:smt038

 

[Redhook98]

Do what the manual says. If you do a search, you will find a ton of debates on the type of oil to use, but bottom line....do what the manual says. I use Mercury's full synthetic oil, it's a bit pricey, but the engines are not an area that I want to skimp on. Do not use automotive oil in your engine, period.

Exactly! Do not use automotive oil! You could however use severe duty oil such as Delo 400 or such. I always use the recommended oil from Merc which is the 15W-40 4-cycle. A few $$ is not worth the cost of a new engine. These engines operate at different RPMs' and environments then cars do and need the extra care. Use the recommended, or better.

 

[skolbe]

I use Synthetic blend in the same motors. I thought about full synthetic, but since we do have to winterize, I don't put the hours on the boat (50 to 60 per season), that someone in the South might and I don't start the boat in the cold. That being said - Full Synthetic has no downside other than additional cost, with some added benefits. I think if you hit under the oil change requirements - go with the specs - but avoid automotive oil - there are some unique additives for marine environment in the marine oils.

 

[Nehalennia]

Yes do what the manual says.
http://www.mercurymarine.com/serviceandwarranty/mercruiserfaqs/fueloil.php
The reasons marine grade oils are recommended are many. Stress and moisture potential are two main reasons FW-C oils are recommended.

Oil is cheap in the big scheme of things, don't risk it.

 

[fc3]

Thanks for posting the link, Todd. As you can see, standard SAE 30 engine oil is the fifth best choice.

 

[hack4alivin]

Do what the manual says. If you do a search, you will find a ton of debates on the type of oil to use, but bottom line....do what the manual says. I use Mercury's full synthetic oil, it's a bit pricey, but the engines are not an area that I want to skimp on. Do not use automotive oil in your engine, period.

Double Ditto... I use Merc's full synthetic also.

 

[BonBini]

If unsure I would strongly advise sticking to your manuals recommendations. Product support engineers write operation and maintenance manuals for the masses.

On the other hand if your a tetchy type of individual, you can certainly adjust your boats maintenance to your type of boating location and style. Your absolutely correct that it is a Chevy but its not the Chevy out of your typical "Impala". The lubricated rotating assembly is a high performance basic engine found in high performance car options. The oil needs to be of the sort to hold up to a hard working heavy truck engine environment that is at high engine loads most all the time. As far as "Automotive Engine Oil In a Boat" well that’s a whole nother topic, ie: I do drive my car in the rain and snow.

So, IMHO: If you want to "Keep It Simple S...", stick to the manual. If you want to get all techno with it, treat your boat engine like a high performance, high maintenance Chevy race motor. cheers and Happy Turkey Day ...Ron

 

[fwebster]

Good luck finding Merc oil in Bohemia..............I think I'd just use some re-refined junk from last barge that came thru.

 

[88 AmberRay]

I've used Synthetic blend in my engines for the past 15+ years without any type of oil related problems.

I also change the oil every 25 hrs which works out to 4 times a season at a cost of $50.00 each change (2 engines)!

 

[Sully4755]

Fwebster, I think It is Bohemia, Long Island N.Y. ?

 

[88 AmberRay]

I hear what your saying...

I believe in over-kill with everything I do. I'm running 2 oil filters and 2 fuel filters on each engine.

 

[Hampton]

How many condoms do you use at a time? : )