Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

After a lot of study I am back to Mobil-1 too, though I respect Amsoil it's the $ 8.00/qt stuff (Series 2000) that may be a little better. The rest of thier line is not better than Mobil-1. It's not worth the hassle of ordering it and paying freight. Amsoil Severe Duty or Racing does not have an API rating either. Amsoil does not warranty "racing" products in the event of oil failure.

Mobil-1 15W-50 is equal to or better than any synthetic out there.

Redline and Amsoil Series 2000 may have a slight advantage in lower viscosities to Mobil-1 and should for $ 8.00/qt. Probably reserved for those who take thier cars to the drag strip weekly?

Not enough data on Royal Purple to say much except it handles shear well as does Redline and it runs good in my tractor. They may be the best for hard running 4-stroke air-cooled engines. The "moly" seems to help in these applications by reducing friction and heat.

Oh, almost forgot: Outdrive I use only Merc HP. It has antimony in it which cushions gears better than anything and can handle moisture/condensation issues and has been extensively tested and is tried and true. In this case Mercury has probably the best overall product. Tested, reliable and a sophisticated chemistry. Anything else may be a gamble. In this case until Merc says otherwise that's what I am using. Why chance it? I think Merc has a better handle on their drives than they do on their engines in a relative sense.

Oil filter: After my findings why use anything but an A/C Duraguard? For 3 bucks it filters and flows very well and is ranked at the top. The other filters go for $ 10.99 to $ 22.00.

Above all I learned there is no substitute for frequent oil or drive gear fluid changes because of acid formation, water condensation and gas getting into the oil. No filter can get rid of this. Only frequent changes.



Why did I put myself through all this?

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

I use mercury racing oil filters. But now that you mentioned AC Delco....I work at a GM dealership.....I may have to try them. Anti drain back valve, and I can get them pretty cheap!!! :rolleyes:

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

What about Mobile-1 Gear Lube in the drives?

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

I am sure Mobil-1, Amsoil and RP and all good but Merc HP has been extensively tested and it's synthetic. I am sticking with Merc here.

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

Well, at this point I guess the results speak for themselves... mobil 1 15 - 50 is the clear choice of many..

P.S. I refuse to pay 12.00 for a gallon of regular ol'e Merc. 25-40 dino... There are much better and cheaper choices out there..

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

Plus even Merc admits they had to "develop" a 25w40 synblend for their hard running 4-stroke outboards. That unto itself says something. Plus they charge $ 4.95/qt which is about a dollar more per quart than Mobil-1 when purchased in bulk.

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

Hydrocruiser-- I'm probably going to start something with this, but The question I recall Teague addressing in Powerboat a year or so ago (I plan to check my archives) had to do with roller Lifters skating/not rolling over the cam profile with cams running valve springs with low seat pressures. I recall the number being around 125 pounds. The coversation was't definitive, just that rumor had it that the roller lifters may not roll all the time with synthetics. As I said, I'll go back and look for the reference, but I recall disscussing this with a friend of mine who ran a 1200 HP 672 at the time. My humble opinion is that this is one of those urban legends that just won't die (Like broken 500HP valve springs). I apologize in advance if I'm confusing things.--Lou

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

Kendall Straight 40w and change every 12 hours along with a fram filter.

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

Maybe I will go back to using kerosene like Henry Ford did in the Model A's.

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

Hydrocruiser-- Thanks for a quick response. This is obviously an emotional issue. I just found the October 2001 issue of Powerboat where someone asked Teague about running Synthetic motor oil. He indicated that he HEARD some people say that roller lifters would slide but that HE had not seen it. This is not the reference I was looking for. It was about a year ago and as I said, mentioned spring seatpressures. The only reason I poke at this stuff is not to split hairs, but to minimize the mis-information that's out there. We're all trying to do best by our toys and keep others from repeating our mistakes. Time to take a deep breath. I'll continue looking for the article. --Lou

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

Hydrocruiser-- Just looked at the July,2004 Powerboat and see what you mean. It is a blanket statement-no qualifiers. I can't explain it. Synthetics are here to stay as far as I'm concerned-- Lou

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

wow,, I am extremely surprised to find out just how popular mobil 1 and other synthetics are.. seems that for every 1 person using Dino, there is another using syn.. well atleas those who voted anyway..

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

The latest PB mag has Teague saying again to stay away from Synthetic oil. Same as stated above. I did the change to M1 and tonight will be the test voyage, I will watch heat and pressure and report back. I feel good about the M1 in there, it seems to be the oil of choice. Thanks all.

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

Hydrocruiser- I found what I was looking for. It's in the July 2002 issue of Powerboat. Teague states, and I'm paraphrasing, that based on teardowns he felt the synthetics were superior in a competition environment but saw no improvement with recreational use. He further stated that recreational boats with synthetics showed flat spots on the lifter rollers and increased wear on the cam lobes. He felt that the lower valve spring pressures associated with hydraulic cams was a factor. Race applications with solid lifter cams with valve spring seat pressures of 250+ pounds kept the rollers rolling.Fast forward to July, 2004 and you have a blanket statement not to use the synthetics. I'm a convert and will continue to use Mobil1 15W50 as was suggested to me by the engine builder.--Lou

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

Check this web site out where an ongoing test is happening between synthetic oils. First up was Mobil 1, now they are testing Amsoil.
Needless to say Mobil 1 will be staying in my cars and boat engine.

http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/s.../oil-life.html

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

I have mostly been using the 15w50 Mobil-1 and dabbled with Amsoil. I now realize to see a benefit over Mobil-1 versus Amsoil you need to move into their Series 2000 category and it's about $ 8.50/qt.

I think Royal Purple is a good product at $ 6/qt. I use it in my tractors and it really does cut down heat in hard working 4-strokes. I would like to see more data on this oil.

Redline is supposed to be another great choice but it's $ 8.00/qt

My feeling is Mobil-1 is a proven synthetic and the $ 3.99 A/C Duraguard filter is among the best and it has an anti drain-back valve where others don't.

So if you Shop at Walmart, you can do a 5 qt oil and A/C filter change with
Mobil-1 15w-50 for a total of $25.00. I think the price is right and if companies like Sterling like it that is all I need to know.

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

I've always used Mobil1 15-50 in every small or big block i've ever had and i also add 1 quart of Lucas engine treatment with every other oil change....never had an internal failure....knock on wood...

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

Only one for me, Mobil 1 proved itself in my 22ZX Procharged 400hrs on her by now and the motor is still running strong.. I use it in my 26ZX and all my cars

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

Diesel fleet 15-40 oil, in 496 HOs. Turbo diesels have a turbo shaft bearing spinning at 120,000 rpm,and very hot, and these engines are at 18-1 compression (or so) they put all the good required addatives in these oils.

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

My neighbor tried Mobil-1 20W-50 in his 800 HP SC custom motors and said it's a dark and very heavy oil that really brought his oil pressure back up and the motor runs much smoother. He tried it as I told him McCostillin recommended it along with some others. It's actually designed for V-Twin motorcycles that take a beating. The VI is about equal to Amsoil 20W-50 but the Flash Point (which is the temp that the oil gives off vapors and begins to deteriorate) is 65 degrees higher (holds up at 518* F for an hour before breaking down) than Amsoil. This is about as good as it gets. Available locally for $ 8.99/qt. It's the good stuff. The king of synthetics.

"Mobil 1 20W-50 motorcycle oil contains 25% more antiwear and antioxidant additives than regular 15W-50 Mobil 1 "to meet the higher demands of air-cooled engines and their higher operating temperatures"

Mobil 1 20W-50 motorcycle oil is completely shear stable and will maintain a high 50 weight viscosity, while regular Mobil 1 will exhibit some shear loss in motorcycle applications.

They also mention that compared to other brands of synthetics, the Mobil 1 motorcycle oil is less likely to form deposits, and has a 3 times cleaner performance rating".

According to Mobil this is their best formulation ever and while not specifically rated for marine use is to be used in any application where extreme heat and shear may occur. Harley air-cooled V-Twins certainly fit that application. It has lots of corrosion inhibitors and perfect for engines that are stored prolonged periods of time. It's the absolute best of the best and equal in performance to their jet engine synthetic lubes. Mobil has a great customer tech line. If you have any questions as I did; I called and the petrochemical engineer spent 15 minutes answering my questions and encouraged further calls. Unlike some companies that have reps Mobil will put you through to the petrochemical engineering staff. If you are into racing they will even blend custom formulations. Also, they said the 4-ball "test" that competitors use and then rate scar are totally useless in gasoline engine real case scenerios. All a bunch of **** and nothing but smoke and mirrors. No correlation has yet been established between the 4-Ball Wear Test and field service, so individual results should not be used to predict field performance That's a statement coming form a government test evaluator. If you want to read more here is the site they directed me to: http://www.usbr.gov/power/data/fist/fist2_4/2_4_13.htm

There is no question in my mind who the leader is. Buying oil online or from a neighbors garage is a joke.

Contact info:

Base-stocks Marketing Manager or
Specialties Marketing Manager, Americas
ExxonMobil
3225 Gallows Road
Fairfax, VA 22037 USA
Telephone: 1 703 846 3000
Facsimile: 1 703 846 5666

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

Regardless of what engine, lots of benefits seen from switching to Alisyn drive oil. I gained 2 mph on a V6 boat, 454 mag nova gained 4mph.

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

My 15-40 Diesel oil experiment has ended,, and I will not be using it any longer in my 496.. going to stick with Castrol syntec synthetic blend 20-50.. After a VERY hard hour long run at lake champlain I found my oil pressure's at idle dropped quite significantly,, seems the lighter weight cannot keep the pressure up when it get hot..

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

DOn't quit just yet. Try Mobil 20W-50 V-twin synthetic. Liquid gold as far as pressures and protection go.

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

At the TMP shop they use 20-50, and tell all their customers to change every 10 hours. I have a quick oil change set up on the motors so it can be done in 30 minutes from filter to refill, plus it keeps my 1 year warranty in effect, to me oil is cheap insurance. :) Jeff

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

Just giving up on 15-40,,, it's not enough oil for our motors, after long runs, oil pressure suffers.

Wondering if mobil 1 15-50 will do the same ??

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

I wonder if I could run the 20-50. After long hard runs my temp after the cooler is barely 220. If I take it easy, cruising 3000 rpm I barely see 140.

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

ALISYN. its around 10$ a quart. On just drive oil (Alisyn Type 1, compared to merc racing) I gained 2mph on radar, I also had more gas than my previous best time pass.

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

Found a lot of information about Alisyn HERE: http://www.aerospacelubricants.com/c...listing=Marine

Tommy, wondering which gear lube you used in your outdrive ??..

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

I use Mercury Marine oil & filters.

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

Didnt mean to post twice with the same information.

I think it is pro gear. Type 1 I know for sure.

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

Valvoline 10-40 ... worked for me..... :D

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

Thats classic!!!!

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

When someone asks if you checked your oil, open the glove box and show them this.

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

Everybody has an opinion. My engine Guru says 20-50 Castrol and change every 10 hours and 20 at the most.

Engines equipped with O-berg filters so it is breeze to check for metal etc.

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

Amsoil Dominator 2 stroke Synthetic racing oil. Havent owned the boat long enough to tell if its worth the extra money to run this stuff over the Merc full synthetic. I guess time will tell.

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

Castrol and Kendall 20W-50 are great products. If you really change every 10 hours...why not....going to 20 hrs? I would do 4 qts of the Castrol to 1 qt of Mobil-1 15W-50....a great syn-mix.

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

m1 vtwin 20/50 only. Nothin but the best for my babe!!!!!!!!!! M1-302 filter as well, why put the good stuff in with a cheap filter. Change every 20/25 hours or when the boat sits in between seasons.

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

Mobil-1 V-Twin 20W-50

Redline 20W-50

Amsoil Severe Service 20W-50

The very best of the very best!!!

How long have you used V-Twin and how has it lived up to your expectations?

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

I run Kendall 20w50 GT1 on 20 hour OCI. 10 hours if I run a Poker Run. With an M1-302 filter. Is there a benefit to running synthetic on a 20 hour oil change, if my temps are under 210?

Jim

Re: POLL: which oil do you use ?
 

I've used it for about three seasons, I have a blower motor and haven't had any problems with it. It hardly uses any oil, oil pressure is always good, what more can you ask for? I do leak a tiny bit of oil in the bilge and I can't figure out where it's coming from, I think it my be the crank case ventaltion tube where it connects to the air intake. If I had any complaints about that oil its that its impossible to clean up. I cant for the life of me get it out of my bilge, first of all I can't reach under my motor, and second of all no matter what cleaners I dump down there the dark color never comes out. Any suggestions?