I have a 2002 225 Optimax with 300 hours been using the Optimax Oil for several years, no problems. I am thinking of changing to one of the Pennzoil brands for a cost savings, Premium Plus Synthetic Blend or XLF Synthetic Blend. Any feedback would be appreciated.

ka-bang!
got an extended warranty?
get the Opti oil from Tommy at Rockwall Marine- bulk is 20.00 a gallon.
should be cheaper than the Pennzoil.

ditto. stick with whats working. powerheads are expensive!

Snakebit do you have any personal history using Pennzoil or do know someone that had problems with the oil? No extended warranty.

Optimax HAS TO HAVE the opti oil.
boom-rattle-rattle-boom
I just worked up a material list on a 2001 225hp Optimax, It went over $13K ........

I believe there was a case where a court ruled whereas if a manufacturer specified that a particular BRAND of oil was required to be used in thier motors, then the manufacturers had to supply the oil FREE OF CHARGE. If they specify a particular grade like, twc 3 or something else, its different, but if the specify a brand like Optimax brand oil, it has to be supplied free of charge. This may be worth checking into. Its not fair for a manufacturer to monopolize oil by making it his own brand, requireing that you use it, and charging outrageous prices for it. THERE IS NOTHING NEW IN THIS OLD WORLD. My hunch would be that there is nothing special about the oil. Yamaha does the same tricks with thier Yamalube. If thier oil is so great, and far advanced, why arent they oil conglomerates instead of outboard motor manufacturers? I would love to see Mercury or Yamahas oil refinery? I bet they dont have one.

Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is what you're thinking of.

In this case I say fiddlesticks. The Opti does not require Opti oil. I asked them before. They hummed and hahhed a bit but they ended up saying the exact quote thats in their warranty book.
By the way.......the Mercury Optimax oil IS NOT TCW-3 rated.

I've been using the Premium Plus Pennzoil for years. Its much cheaper than the Mercury oil. I can buy 2 1/2 gallons for 30 dollars at Academy. Thats 12 dollars a gallon.



I don't use Mopar oil for my Dodge either although my manual recommends it.

IF IT HAS THE TC3 ECT LIKE IM SURE IT DOES, GO FOR IT, I HAVE A TEN YEAR OLD VMAX AND HAVENT RUN YAMALUBE ETC AND ITS FINE. YOUR CALL.......

Read your outboard owners manual, they all state you can run any TC-W3 certified oil. They of course will "recommend" to run their own oil but by law they cannot state you have to run it exclusively.

I am on my third 250xs and broke it in on Merc oil, then switched over to Penzoil Full Synthetic and have had zero failures.

Maybe that's why I didn't buy the mercury. Use what ever makes you comfortable. I baby my yamaha with citgo oil. I wait for it go on sale for 7.99 and then I stock up. 6 years strong.

I hate the high price myself. TODDXDC, how many hours did you put on those motors before you sold them? Also, why did you break it in on Merc. oil, then switch? I'm guessing the rings will not seat with full synthetic?

What's the difference in price of the 2 oils? Just curious.

switch to the full synthetic pennzoil, do a full decarb first with seafoam (directions on the can) or at least run a can of seafoam in 10 gal of gas/oil mix to clean it out good. after this you will be impressed with the performance gains you get.
buy the full syn at wally world.
It really does make a difference.

My motor is cleaner with the Pennzoil oil than the Mercury oil. I personaly know of many people that use the Pennzoil premium plus oil in an optimax with many hours and have had no problems.

If it is that damn significant that a Mercury has to have Mercury/Quicksilver oil, Mercury should be giving us the oil for FREE.

Most of all the BS we hear about a Mercury has to have Mercury oil is hear say. Contact Mercury and ask them for yourself.