YO! Vinny P

[Bill]

I consider you our resident motor expert, and I know we have talked about this before, but I am going to change to synthetic oil. I have been told straight 40 weight Mobil 1 and Valvoline VR1 racing synthetic. What are your thought or suggestions? For some reason, I think I remember you running Mobil 1, but I may be wrong... Thanks for your help in advance!

Bill
Any other thoughts and recommendations would be greatly appreciated...

2003 ZT 240 6.2litre/Bravo 320 H.P. 24p Bravo 1

[Bill]

I consider you our resident motor expert, and I know we have talked about this before, but I am going to change to synthetic oil. I have been told straight 40 weight Mobil 1 and Valvoline VR1 racing synthetic. What are your thought or suggestions? For some reason, I think I remember you running Mobil 1, but I may be wrong... Thanks for your help in advance!

Bill
Any other thoughts and recommendations would be greatly appreciated...

2003 ZT 240 6.2litre/Bravo 320 H.P. 24p Bravo 1

[JW]

Since Mercruisers excellent oil is 25W-40, I know a lot of guys on OffShoreOnly use the 20W-50 full synthetic racing oil by Valvoline or Mobile One........

Checkmates owned: 1995 Pulsare 2100BR/1995 Mercury Promax 225 2.5 EFI. 1995 Persuader 183/4.3 LX V6. 1992 Pulse 171/1992 Mercury XR6 150 hp 2.5 liter.

[Bill]

Thanks JW! http://www.checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/thumb.gif

2003 ZT 240 6.2litre/Bravo 320 H.P. 24p Bravo 1

[vinny p.]

Hey Bill;

Thanks for the compliment!!
This controversy can be argued to death with no side being declared a winner. But, I will give you my personal thoughts. Up until a few years ago, I was into drag racing cars. But that cost too much money with only limited returns, so I got into fast boats. Anyway, in all of my race motors, I always used synthetic oil. You just can't beat the free couple of horsepower you get with synthetics. There is the key, a couple of horsepower. When you are on the drag strip and have your motor maxed out performance wise, a few free horsepower is a god send.
Now onto boats. Do you think that a few horsepower is going to make any difference in your boats top end? Neither do I!! I am not saying that synthetic oil is not good, but the idea of people leaving it in their cars or boats for loooooooong periods of time, say 10,000 miles, without changing it is absurd to me. True that synthetics don't break down as quickly as petroleum based oils, but it still gets dirty. There is still the same amount of blow-bye past the rings, so fuel is getting into the oil no matter what kind of oil you have. I don't want fuel lubricating my bearings no matter what kind of oil is in there. If you don't mind paying 4 times the price for a quart of synthetic oil and are still willing to change as often as you change petroleum, then I say use it. But, for me,I run straight 40 w Pennzoil in my boat and change it every 20 hours.
In all my years of building motors ( and breaking them ) including the jobs done at work, I have never seen an oil related failure, that synthetic oil would have saved. By this I mean that if the motor was properly serviced, petroleum based oil will not give you a problem.

This should open up a can of worms here!!

[Bill]

No worms here Vinny! You had the vast amount of experience, so I trust ya! I change my oil every 25 hours. No it is not worth the extra couple of horsepower. I have always run it in my vehicles...

Here is another question... WHy straight 40W Penzoil vs. Mercs oil?

I know what you mean about being in racing and getting little return, boat racing is the same way. Preety sad when you can get into go-fast pleasure boats and save money! http://www.checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/thumb.gif http://www.checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/lol.gif

2003 ZT 240 6.2litre/Bravo 320 H.P. 24p Bravo 1

[vinny p.]

I don't have any particular reason for using straight weight Pennzoil over Mercs' oil. Just call it personal preference. Like I said, if you stay on top of it by changing it often, I can't see it making a big difference.

[Bill]

Thanks for saving me a few bucks Vinny! I will just stick with the merc oil...

2003 ZT 240 6.2litre/Bravo 320 H.P. 24p Bravo 1

[175checkmate]

I pay the extra for synthetic outboard oil. I picked up 200 rpm by switching. Every little bit helps.

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/avatars/rooster_3.jpg


1975 Checkmate Tri-mate 2, 2.4 200+ / Sky jacker 6" plate / 25p Laser 2 prop

[JW]

I can buy Merc's 25W-40 pretty good at my local Gander Mountain or Cabelas stores, so that's what I run.

Checkmates owned: 1995 Pulsare 2100BR/1995 Mercury Promax 225 2.5 EFI. 1995 Persuader 183/4.3 LX V6. 1992 Pulse 171/1992 Mercury XR6 150 hp 2.5 liter.

[vinny p.]

JW,

As I said, there is nothing wrong with 25W40 Merc. oil. My personal preference is straight 40W Pennzoil. Either oil will not cause a failure, if changed on time....