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Re: What Oil do you use in your Mercury Optimax?
[Re: dakicka]
#7456772
04/25/12 05:17 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,406
Dax Davis
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,406 |
JUst run Quicksilver Premium Plus 2 Cycle Outboard Oil! Mercury makes quicksilver and that all i run in my optimax!
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Re: What Oil do you use in your Mercury Optimax?
[Re: dakicka]
#7456802
04/25/12 05:23 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,671
squib
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,671 |
The latest Mercury bulletin suggests going back to the Optimax Oil. Mercury was recommending Premium plus until a few months ago. That is all I have run in my XS 250, but I will changing over to the Opti oil. Motors are too expensive for me to blow one trying to save $15 a month. This bulletin seems to be just for the Pro XS Optis. http://www.bbcboards.net/mercury-3-liter...ngine-line.html
Last edited by squib; 04/25/12 05:32 PM.
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Re: What Oil do you use in your Mercury Optimax?
[Re: dakicka]
#7456827
04/25/12 05:28 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 176
ElBasso74
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 176 |
LMB so far in 2012:42
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Re: What Oil do you use in your Mercury Optimax?
[Re: dakicka]
#7456853
04/25/12 05:33 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,182
throwback
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,182 |
What the factory recommends.
Last edited by throwback; 04/25/12 05:33 PM.
At least my boat and truck are paid for, woo hoo!
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Re: What Oil do you use in your Mercury Optimax?
[Re: throwback]
#7457131
04/25/12 06:25 PM
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 157
Ranger1960
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 157 |
Mercury is recomending the optimax oil because it is Synthetic. The reason is because they have found that ethanol removes the protective coating of the oil in the engine.
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Re: What Oil do you use in your Mercury Optimax?
[Re: dakicka]
#7457148
04/25/12 06:29 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,958
jseago
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,958 |
I run the mercury optimax oil in my 115 and wouldn't consider anything else
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Re: What Oil do you use in your Mercury Optimax?
[Re: dakicka]
#7457174
04/25/12 06:35 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 778
TerryWilliams
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 778 |
Optimax and ProXS are two different oils...last I heard Merc strongly advised running the opti oil (full synthetic) and the prem plus in ProXS (blend)
Then I read where they changed and asked that all ProXS motors now run the full synthetic.
I figured with 300+ hours using PremPlus, I wasn't going to change.
Easiest way to figure out is to call your dealer and have them check the latest service bulletin.
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Re: What Oil do you use in your Mercury Optimax?
[Re: dakicka]
#7457187
04/25/12 06:39 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,671
squib
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,671 |
Here is the service bulletin:
"Effective October 2010, Mercury OptiMax / DFI or Quicksilver DFI 2-Cycle engine oil is the recommended oil for all OptiMax models - including Pro XS. (The previous recommendation stated the use of Mercury Premium Plus 2-Cycle Outboard Oil in ProXS models and OptiMax oil in non-ProXS models.)
OptiMax / DFI oil is a superior oil when compared to the Premium Plus oil. While both products are high quality 2-cycle engine oils suitable for use in OptiMax engines, the OptiMax / DFI oil contains a higher percentage of additives that reduce carbon deposit formation.
Over time, under normal operating conditions, carbon deposits accumulate in the power cylinder (piston, cylinder head, liners). In most cases the carbon deposits do not create a problem, but carbon deposits that form on the piston - particularly behind the piston rings and piston skirts - can reduce engine life and performance.
OptiMax / DFI oil is specially formulated to prevent the carbon deposits from forming. It also does a better job of reducing existing carbon deposits than the Premium Plus oil. Going forward, the Operation, Maintenance and Warranty manuals for OptiMax outboards will recommend Mercury OptiMax / DFI or Quicksilver DFI 2-Cycle engine oil to help maximize engine life and performance."
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Re: What Oil do you use in your Mercury Optimax?
[Re: dakicka]
#7457240
04/25/12 06:47 PM
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,526
fish4bass
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,526 |
I have run the Quicksilver Synthetic Blend in my Opti for years.
And I know who "Jeff" is.
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Re: What Oil do you use in your Mercury Optimax?
[Re: fish4bass]
#7457297
04/25/12 06:58 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 418
Sapper21c
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 418 |
I run only the merc optimax oil in my opti. While it is expensive, see if you can find a dealer that carries it in bulk. I know Rockwall marine sells it around $21/gallon and they even put it in their own jug.
I'm in San Antonio now and I'm getting Rockwall marine to ship it to me 3 gallons at a time. (Still cheaper than I can find it in the SA area).
The only other oil I might try is the Quicksilver DFI oil as referenced above, but it's the same price as the Opti oil.
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Re: What Oil do you use in your Mercury Optimax?
[Re: dakicka]
#7457358
04/25/12 07:11 PM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 161
Bassenmyer
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 161 |
I wonder if I could run that in my HDPI. I have a heck of time finding Yamalube.
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Re: What Oil do you use in your Mercury Optimax?
[Re: dakicka]
#7457371
04/25/12 07:14 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 570
dakicka
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 570 |
I just did a lot of legwork on the phone and spoke to Mercury and 2 very established Marine service centers in the Lake Fork area and here is what was echoed to me:
Service Centers: "Mercury changes their bulletins often and at one point they were recommending Mercury Premium Plus Oil (which Quicksilver is the same deal) but now they are saying use only Mercury Optimax/DFI oil. ... We run our customer's with Premium Plus Oil and it works perfectly fine. In fact to our knowledge, that is how the engines come out of the factory. "(paraphrased)
Mercury Direct: "We recommend only using Mercury Optimax/DFI oil as that's the only oil our engine is tested with. YES, the Premium Plus oil from Mercury and Quicksilver WILL work, but we advise anyone with an Optimax to use the Optimax/DFI oil as it has better detergents and more premium ingredients that help the engine perform to the max." (paraphrased)
OK Another thing I discovered. I cross-referenced the part # of the Quicksilver 'Synthetic Blend 2 Cycle Outboard Oil' that I mentioned I bought at Walmart (Original Post) and it turns out it is actually the same as "Premium Plus Oil". Mercury also confirmed this and stated it is a marketing thing and sometimes they interchange the names but it should be just like Premium Plus.
So I guess the moral of the story is: 1. Mercury Optimax/DFI is supposedly better 2. If you want to save money, apparently "Premium Plus" or "Synthetic Blend" (virtually the same thing) will do just fine.
Thanks.
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Re: What Oil do you use in your Mercury Optimax?
[Re: dakicka]
#7457763
04/25/12 08:37 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,228
YankHardReelFast
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,228 |
I'm sure this will get some frowns, but in the last 2 boats this is all I have run....
Here is my theory: --In a vehicle where the oil stays in the crankcase, then it is important the oil maintain it's integrity and substance. In a boat, where the oil is "used" then the long term integrity of the oil isn't as important.
Here is my brand of choice, and I've no problems.
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