Am interested in opinions on the use of synthetic oils in four stroke outboards. What are the pro's and con's?
Synthetic oil
- Thread starter Bill18593
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why would you want to? you still have to change it out on a regular basis. so why pay more for something that is not going to do you any good?
I've used synthetic oil for years in all of my autos, boats, and small engines. My opinion is it is worth the money. I think the motors last longer. I had a small 2 cycle outboard on a small boat, the motor lost the water pump. My daugher was operating it. The motor stayed running and I was happy to have my daughter arrive safely back to the main boat. That little engine got so hot it baked the paint off the exhaust cover. The motor never seized and with a new pump it was good as new. I do not think dino oil would have stood that test. Try a 0-40 weight in your 4 stroke.
4 Stroke Synthetic
I just finished a 2 day course on outboards and that question was asked. The reply was "it won't hurt but it won't help".
I just finished a 2 day course on outboards and that question was asked. The reply was "it won't hurt but it won't help".
No Big $$$$$$$$$
Why not it can't hurt and it has to be better,its not like you have to rob a bank to buy a quart. I have found it has inproved most times when others have said don't. nick
Why not it can't hurt and it has to be better,its not like you have to rob a bank to buy a quart. I have found it has inproved most times when others have said don't. nick
More info...
Thanks for the feedback. I just bought a new Tohatsu 9.8 four-stroke. I know I will need to do a break-in with dino oil. At the rate I use the motor, that'll probably take most of the season. Its the time after break-in the interests me. Since the crankcase only takes 800ml of oil, the expense involved is minimal, but I know its not too good to switch back and forth.
Thanks for the feedback. I just bought a new Tohatsu 9.8 four-stroke. I know I will need to do a break-in with dino oil. At the rate I use the motor, that'll probably take most of the season. Its the time after break-in the interests me. Since the crankcase only takes 800ml of oil, the expense involved is minimal, but I know its not too good to switch back and forth.
Indeed
When it was first developed it was called 'snake oil' and a lot of other epithets. Over the years the better brands have proved their worth. Everything I have owned in the last 16 years that doesn't burn much oil has run synthetic (motorcycles, lawn tractors, cars, outboards) - my cars go one year intervals between changes (filters are changed on a regular basis). If I spent the money for a new outboard, I'd be nuts NOT to use a good synthetic. The benefits are not so much in extended drain intervals and increased efficiency, but rather in lengthened engine life. I supply lubricants to a buddy who races dirt track cars, and after 16 races on the same oil the engine builder was astonished to see the inside of the engine - he even used the same bearings the next year, an unheard of economy until then. I use the two-stroke and lower unit oils in my outboard - fired up second pull three weeks ago (won a bet, too), after sitting for the winter. Well worth the extra cost if you intend to keep it a while.
When it was first developed it was called 'snake oil' and a lot of other epithets. Over the years the better brands have proved their worth. Everything I have owned in the last 16 years that doesn't burn much oil has run synthetic (motorcycles, lawn tractors, cars, outboards) - my cars go one year intervals between changes (filters are changed on a regular basis). If I spent the money for a new outboard, I'd be nuts NOT to use a good synthetic. The benefits are not so much in extended drain intervals and increased efficiency, but rather in lengthened engine life. I supply lubricants to a buddy who races dirt track cars, and after 16 races on the same oil the engine builder was astonished to see the inside of the engine - he even used the same bearings the next year, an unheard of economy until then. I use the two-stroke and lower unit oils in my outboard - fired up second pull three weeks ago (won a bet, too), after sitting for the winter. Well worth the extra cost if you intend to keep it a while.
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