Help on four stroke oil?

[Wild Thing]

Hey, folks. I'm new to the world of four stroke outboards and am approaching my first oil change recommended at 20 hours for my Yamaha 150.

My question: Is there a difference between $4/quart Yamalube 4-stroke oil and the $1/quart name brand oil on sale at Menards I use in my pickup?

And if I absolutely need to use special oil, where's the best place to buy it?

Thanks in advance!

[Valv]

You should post this on Expert section.

Anyway I am no expert but I will reply with some common sense I think it's needed.

You paid close to $ 9,000 for that motor

There is an oil change maybe every year, and I don't believe it will take more than 4 quarts.

Is $ 16.00 too much to pay for peace of mind instead of saving $ 12.00 and blow a motor next year ?

You draw the answer.

If you were going to change oil every 2 weeks I would agree maybe saving some money, but once a year...... ?? Come on...

[Northlander]

Use the Yamaha oil so the shop will honor the warranty. Also I believe the Yamaha 4 stroke oil is what is called a semi synthetic. Anyone know this for sure? I remember someone saying that on this forum before.

[Guest]

I agree with Valv,we change our oil in the race car every 50 laps.This takes 8 quarts every time at 5 beans a quart.Our IMCA motor doesnt cost 9000 and yet the good oil is worth the extra.You will be dollars ahead if you change your outboard oil with the best oil and with oil that the manufacture will warranty.One scored cylinder and you will spend way more than a few extra dollars on oil.Oil in any motor is not the place to cut cost,even when the price difference is tempting.Buy the best you can.

[Wild Thing]

Thanks for the expert opinions. Sorry, I haven't seen a directory on where to post questions.

I once talked to a chemist who worked for a refinery in Louisiana where they made oil for small engines. When i asked him if there was any difference in two-stroke oils for boats, he said only the color! He said never spend big bucks on oil with fancy names. He said buy the cheapest oil that's TCW-3 approved. So that's what I've done for 20 years of boating and never had a problem with 50 plus days on the water each year in mercs, johnsons and evinrude two-cycles.

But sounds like four stroke might be different. Guess it really doesn't matter if its only once each year, as you say. Still, I'd like to know the real differences. I hate paying more for nothing as I'm a true cheapskate.

Thanks again.

Good fishing!!!

[Valv]

Looks like cheapskate beats common sense. I guess you can try cheap oils....

[Wild Thing]

Actually, what I was hoping for is some facts on the differences between the two. What's the scientific difference between two 10 W-30 oils that have the same specifications but one costs 300 percent more? I s'pose I need to go to a lubircants HSOforum to get that.

Thanks again!

Good fishing!

[Northlander]

My guess is that the cheaper oils are produced in much larger quanity and some are the same oil in a different bottle and name. Thus can be sold cheaper.

Myself Im not going to get cheap on oil after I spent $15000 getting my boat set the way I want it!

[oilguy]

use yama for the next change and run it till 100 hrs. then go to Mobil 1 and forget about it.. mobil 1 in the lower is great also. no need to complicate this issue. a little web surfing time devoted to oil filters may open your eyes. there are much better ones available than the yama lubers.

[wildirishrose]

I'm an oil change nut on my cars and the book says: 3,000 miles or 3 months. My truck get about 5,000 miles a year but I still change it every 3 months because they say that after 3 months the oil starts to break down. I would guess that it's the same deal in 4 stroke outboards. Mabey the Yamaha oil is made to last longer than normal car engine oil, I don't know, but wouldn't take the chance.

[oilguy]

wildirish, we love guys like you. However, you may be wasting time, money and non-renewable resources.

[Wild Thing]

Wow, with a name like Oilguy, we have to trust you! Thanks for the info. I'm amazed how many people develop opinions that whatever cost most must be best! It's like the people who continue to put premium grade gas in engines designed for 87 octane. Even though the engineer who designed the motor tells them don't bother, that it does nothing for performance or engine life, they keep spending 15 cents more per gallon and making Dick Cheney richer. You get what you pay for, but sometimes you don't get more if you pay more.

I've found some data that talks about oil additives n' stuff so thanks for the help everyone! I had no idea there was so many different kinds of oil.

Good fishing!

[Valv]

It's still cheapskate wins over common sense.

Don't come and whine on this forum when warranty will be voided and your motor "doesn't run as it used to.."

[Terry Hagstrom]

I have been running a 90 hp Honda since the fall of 99 and I change my oil approx. every 150 hours. I have approx. 3000 hrs on this motor according to the tach clock. I use Valvoline 10-40W and it runs as great as the day I picked it up.

Also, The info. I received when my 2 cycle OMC went down for the second and final time was that the oil I was using was not approved by Johnson and they would not honor the warranty. Each manufacture adds a dye to determine if their oil is being used.

Four stroke is a bit different because we are now talking crank case oil much like a car engine vs. mixed oil.

My manufacture info. indicates the use of a reputable oil is authorized provided the weight is correct.

Terry Hagstrom

Terry's Guide Service

www.fishingmn.com/terry

[frankenstien]

The warranty will not be voided if you do not use yamalube, as long as you use the oil with the right specs. As it says in the owners manual. It say in my manual 10w-30, 10w-40 with these spec letters, SE,SF,SG,SH,SJ. That is in a 2003 yammy 80hp 4 stroke. I run Kendall in mine never had a problem. So paying $4 a quart thats up to you just make sure it has the right specs on the oil jug.

[oilguy]

Wild, I'll try to find a link for the oil filter info and post it in here

[T-ProGuy]

Thought I would put in my 2 cents on this...

I researched this extensively in 2003 when I bought my new Alumacraft and Yamaha F90. I have a friend that works for Valvoline, and we did some checking with their tech department about the whole 4 stroke oil bit...the response we got was that there is no difference in the oils and therefor no reason to buy 4 stroke oil for $5 per quart. I even asked the dealership that I bought my boat from. I got the exact same response. They told me that they recommend regualr motor oil to all their customers, as there is no need to use anything else.

I don't know where some people come up with their claims that somewhere down the road you will have motor problems, and a motor that runs different than it used to.

It's all motor oil to me...

[TSCTSC]

I think it has been a great discussion. My 2 cents worth is that I would not waste my time trying to find info on which oil is better if I had to decide between Yamalube and Menards oil. For that little few dollars more for a quart, I would just go for Yamalube. Everything else is hearsay and unless I see definite scientific evidence from the Manufacturer that says that Menard's oil is fine too, I would just go for what they recommend.

[Valv]

TSCTSC you are getting the point which is why after spending thousands and thousands of dollars on equipment we have to save pennies on motor oil ?

The common sense here is what answers this question.

It doesn't matter if all the oils were made from same company or not, saving $ 12.00 over an oil charge just to prove you are a cheapskate is not common sense at all.

That was the point.