Synthetic Oil

[Cape Codder]

Hi Dave-once Again I Thank You For Your Clear And Concise Explaination ,this Time On Synthetic Oils. Sure Am Glad Your On This Site.bill

[Cincinnati]

I would suspect that if synthetic was then 'end all', then my Honda manual would recommend synthetic oil - it doesn't. No, I think that Amsoil, Mobil 1 and the bunch are just printing money every time someone buys a quart of full synthetic crank case oil...

[Putershark]

The OEM's cannot insist on one brand of oil or filter over another unless they are willing to supply it for free. This is from some law that was put into place some years back though for the life of me cannot remember it's name since I got out of that businesses years ago.

Honda though does not discourage it use and (just like the AMSOIL page before) only recommends that the oil meet it's weight and additive requirements in your manual http://www.honda-marine.com/faq_8.aspx and still get changed at the same time period.

As I has stated in the past, it is your engine and you choose to run in it what you feel is best Synthetic oil though is not some kind of acid that eats though metal (just your wallet when you go to buy it ) as some would have you believe it is...

[Cape Codder]

Cincinnati-thanks For Your Thoughts On This Subject. I Love The Free Expression Of Ideas On This Site. I Suspect The Reason Honda Manuals And My Yamaha Manuals Dont Encourage The Use Of Synthetics Is Boaters May Become Complaisant With The Long Term Capabilities Of Syn. Oil And Therfore May Not Change Oil At Specified Intervals. One Of The Big Selling Points Of Syn Oil Is Its Longevity. Dont Forget Who Writes These Manuals.............lawyers. Anyway,just My Thoughts.bill

[Cincinnati]

Agreed Cape Codder. It's tough when guys like us who do not work on boats for a living, rather, use them on the weekends try to do maintenance ourselves. Everyone has an opinion on what is best, etc. Somewhat off topic, but last year I purchased an aftermarket fuel filter from a reliable brand name company. Turns out, the glue that held the filter element in place disolved when it came into contact with the 10% ethanol in our CT fuel. The glue traveled into my VST and stuck the needle open - flooding it and sending raw fuel out the vapor recapture. I noticed it when there was a rainbow trail behind the boat approaching the dock. I sent my mechanic's report along with the old filter back to the company and they refunded me the entire $400 repair bill (which included a VST and fuel system cleaning). Went back to a Honda filter and had no further issues. Since, I'm just not comfortable using anything but OEM. Likewise, I use regular automotive 10-30 oil and change it frequently. Some guys go out and buy a Honda Accord oil filter for their marine engine. That is a also a mistake, the marine filters have a different design and seal... just some additional thoughts.

Big Dave - you know we're buddies.

[Cape Codder]

Cincinnati-your Right.stick With What You Know,and In My Case, When It Comes To Marine Engines , I Dont Know Much. My Plan Is To Take Your Advise And Dave(putershark) And Everybody Elses Advise. Use Yamalube 4-m (basically Synthetic), Change It Often And Scream This Boat Back To The Ramp. Life Sure Is Simple When You Listen More Than You Talk. You All Have Been Terrific And I Thank You.bill