525 Oil and Filter

[Jnewton]

Second request... Anyone know of a good quality after market oil filter for the Merc 525's? Also, the recommended oil is 25w 40, and I don't see that at the average auto parts store. I'm getting ready for my first oil change and want to get the parts rounded up.

How about fuel filters?

Would it be a good or bad idea to use good quality after market parts?

Thanks...

[Biggus]

Fram HP-4 is a great filter.

I'd run a good quality straight 40 weight oil and change it every 15-20 hrs.

Not sure on the plugs. I've had great results with NGK UR-5's. Ran them all season.

[PowerboatsNW]

The Merc racing oil filter is your best bet. I use these on a lot of custom motors. The key is how often you change the oil. Same goes with the fuel filters. You may not even find after market filters as far as the in-lines go. Plus if you have any warranty issues regarding the internals of the engine the best filters to have on at that time would be Mercury. I always recommend using the merc oil also when dealing with warrantied motors. The key with mercs 25w-40 is that this is a true 25w oil mixed with a 40w motor oil. So that part will stay constant. Some manufacturers advertise multi-viscosity. Such as a 10w-40. They start with a 10w oil then add chemicals to make it a 40w. The problem is if that oil ever gets overheated or goes past it's life span you basically end up with a 10w oil. Stick with the straight weights or make sure you know about the multiviscosity you are buying. Best bet is use the merc 25w40. You probably will not find the 525efi sold at auto parts stores either.

[masher44]

You need to search for a thread called "Mobil 1 20W 50 V- Twin. After reading that you will use Mobil 1 filters & Mobil 1 Red Cap 15W -50 or 20w-50 V Twin.
I run M1 everything in my 525... M1-301 filter and V-Twin 20w-50 in the engine.... also redline heavy in the outdrive. Check out that thread.. it is from a month or so ago and it is amazing how much you will learn. Specifically see the Posts by Hydrocruiser.... he knows his chit!

[Sydwayz]

Lots of info on here. Do a search for Oil Filter Study here in the tech section. You will NEVER buy a Fram again. I had one damn near kill me years ago by exploding on my crotch-rocket.

Only Oil Filter I buy is Napa/Wix Racing; for my cars, boat motors, and trucks.
One read of the above mentioned study will convince you.

As for oil. Mobil1 15w50 period.

[Hydrocruiser]

These filters fit all V-8 Mercs I have been told..

Oil Filter f/ most Mercruisers
FYI:The thread type on the filter is 13/16-16.
Fram: PH5, HP4, DG5, PH13 (no anti drainback) Pureolator: L34631
Purolator Pure One: PL34631
AC: PF1218, PF932
Motorcraft: FL-12A
NAPA: 1060, 1060gold
Wix: 51060
Wix Racing: 51060R, 51061R R= Racing
K&N: HP3002
Baldwin: B1428 (Top Rated)
Amsoil: SDF-24
Hastings: LF279
Fleetguard: LF3679
Mercruiser: 35-802885Q
Mobil 1: M1-302 or M1-111
Kendall: K31
Penzoil: PZ45
Quaker State: QS5
Shell: S63, SH38
Texaco: T38, T38B
Warner: PH1218
STP: S01218
Valvoline: V056

[Hydrocruiser]

I will re-post this in case it gets lost..

was asked to provide a simple summary of the "oil thread". Both my findings and those of others so here goes:

1.) Synthetic "PAO based" oil is always going to be better than any conventional oil.
Mobil-1/Redline & Amsoil are the three true PAO's I am aware of. Some "synthetics" are derived from lower grade base stocks and some are derived from linseed oils even. I want true hydro-cracked high base stock PAOS if I am to use synthetic oil. period.

2.) Additives matter a lot. Soon with "CH-4" API mandates of much lower doses of ZDDP which is zinc and phosphorous based anti-wear additives; will be reduced; using a "Racing" or "Severe Duty" product avoids the need to conform to these new guidelines. Just look at the label if it says API CH-4 compliant it is the newer formulation. Now Mobil-1 has gone to a 3 additive package to compensate and it works fine; Redline and Amsoil will have new additive packages I understand. So it's not that big a deal unless you race. If you race and want the high ZDDP levels then buy Mobil-1 V-Twin or Amsoil Severe Duty or Redline Racing Products as they will be for "off road use" and will not be affected. They will not carry the true API "starburst" seal.

3.) I was asked which oils I like best after months of research: take your pick they are all great:

-Redline 15W-40
-Mobil-1 15W-50
-Mobil-1 20W-50
-Redline 20W-50
-Redline 20W-60
-Amsoil 20W-50 Series 3000
-Royal Purple 20W-50 (dosen't appear to be a PAO but good quality oil)

Redline 20W-60 and Mobil-1 20W-50 are the toughest in the pack...if you need them...

4.) What oil filters do I like best?

-Mobil-1...my hands down favorite.
-Amsoil Heavy Duty
-If you have to go cheaper then A/C is the best $ 5.99 filter out there.

5.) Use additives?
Nothing needs to be added usually to these synthetic products though Lucas makes very good additives they say. Their products cause oil to "pump up into" lifters etc. from what I read. I don't know much more about additives.

6. Frequency of oil changes:

-I am fine personally with these products and 50 hrs. Some engines and driving habits may facilitate more frequent changes.

7.) Out Drive Lubes:

-Redline Heavy Shockproof
-Mobil-1
-Royal Purple
-Amsoil GL-5
-Merc HP (Semi-synthetic)

I don't think you will go wrong with any of the above products. If you like conventionals I would personally use only Merc 25W-40 or a straight 30wt. Even the best multi-vis conventional oils shear down way too much. The Merc product is a blend of straight weight products. Would I personally use a 20W-50 conventional product? I would not; but Kendall and Castrol would be two 20W-50's that would be the best in the group. They still do not hold up as well after testing as a straight weight conventional.

Now a synthetic oil can handle heat and shear up to 10x better; so a multi-vis PAO synthetic is fine.

http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/oil_filter_study/

Hope that helps...see ya.

[Jnewton]

I love this forum!!! You guys really got into this one!

Thanks to all... especially Hydrocruiser. I got more info than I hoped for.

Now, let's get out an run'em!

Jer