What Oil do you use in your Mercury Optimax?

Hey Guys,

I have a Mercury Optimax 90HP engine and originally got 'suckered' into buying this one which was real expensive at my boat shop:

http://www.mercurymarine.com/parts-and-a...cycle-outboard/


So anyway, instead of spending $40+ for 5 quarts which could take me forever to go through, I went ahead and bought two small pints which are more portable and I can just keep it in the boat. Anyway, I wanted to double-check to make sure this one is ok: Quicksilver "Synthetic Blend" 2 Cycle Outboard Oil. I got it at Walmart: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Quicksilver-Synthetic-Blend-2-Stroke-Outboard-Oil-1pt/17481695

I know there's a few variations sold there like:
Premium 2 Cycle Outboard Oil
Premium Plus 2 Cycle Outboard Oil
etc.

So is my 'Synthetic Blend 2 Cycle Outboard Oil' good? Or should I get something different? If it's a matter of spending a few more dollars, I'd rather do that than foul up a $6,000+ engine.

Here's a Walmart Link with all the options and also a Mercury Link. Thanks All!

http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng....onstraint=91083

http://www.mercurymarine.com/parts-and-accessories/product-overview/precision-lubricants/

JUst run Quicksilver Premium Plus 2 Cycle Outboard Oil! Mercury makes quicksilver and that all i run in my optimax!

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

AMSOIL!!! don't pinch pennies on oil.

http://www.amsoil.com/StoreFront/default.aspx

What the factory recommends.

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.

I run the mercury optimax oil in my 115 and wouldn't consider anything else

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.

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."

ok after all those posts I'm still confused on what oil I can use BESIDES the Mercury brand Optimax/DFI Oil that is very expensive?

Any on this list from Walmart?

http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng....onstraint=91083

I have run the Quicksilver Synthetic Blend in my Opti for years.

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.

I wonder if I could run that in my HDPI. I have a heck of time finding Yamalube.

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.

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.

Optimax oil for me, unless I cannot get it then I have used PP a couple times. Need to go buy a gallon of opti tomorrow btw.

Dont pinch pennies, if the stuff Merc recommends is going to break you then you shouldnt be fishing anyhow. (it does break me sometimes so I dont go

I have a 2010 Optimax and the book says to use Mercury or Quicksilver DFI oil. I have been using the Quicksilver DFI since my book shows it recommended.

Premium Plus is fine...I've been running it for years with no issues. I'm sure they'll come back and say Premium Plus is fine in a couple of weeks. Of course they are going to recommend the expensive stuff in a bad economy. $$$$

pretty hi-tech street talk ,any more urban rumor's??.
didnt see a mercury rep chime in.
any oil company input?
Last time I checked Mercury does not have a refinery.

I run Premium Plus in my 225 yammy w/ no problems.

Quick Silver DFI oil from Academy.

You can probably get away with it. The question is what % of the time can you get away with it?

Premium Plus is what they put in my 2007 225 ProXS at the dealer when I bought it and I bought an extra gallon at the same time. That's what I have been using ever since with no problems.

probably forever, if you have a "oil failure , have your engine guy/ shop swear it is caused by the oil used.
then with his/her testimony , you can sue the oil refinery for the engine failure.

no-takers yet ?? only a street-talk ..
most outboards fail from , lack of use, clogged fuel lines,injecter/carb bad/clogged up , waterpump failures, so -on , and so-on.
never have heard of a "bad oil failure "
If so '' enlighten me ???

btw . shouldnt this be in the boats and motor section ????????why the bass forum ??

Sorry, but I only use the reccomended Optimax DFI oil. As much as outboards cost to purchase and repair, I feel like spending a little more on the oil that was reccomended is worth it.

We have been recommending that if you are using Mercury Premium Plus then continue, if you buy a new Optimax / Pro XS we recommend following Mercs reference to use Optimax / DFI oil.

This is correct and as recommended by Mercury

Mercury lubes are made to THEIR specs ... I'd think that part is contracted out, overseen by Merc engineers and lab professionals. Not worthy of building a whole refinery when there is a much less expensive route which should secure equal results.

I agree with you that is the oil I have ran in my 225 for the last 17years No probs yet. Bought the boat new in 1995 always ran the cheap oil and still running great.

+1 I buy a case at a time and it comes out cheaper than the Optimax oil.