Oil Additives in Merc's

[Mark RSA2AU]

Hi Guys

Has anybody used oil additives in their Merc's like PTFE of MOS2. I have used them in my cars and had reasonable results in newer cars, but excelent results in older cars.
Considdering the heavy load factors and operating conditions boat motors endure, I would think an additive that reduces friction, heat, and wear and tear would be an advantage. Not to mension he lower fuel consumption, and smoother running.

Cheers

 

[springer3]

Oil additives work great - at extracting money you do not need to spend. DuPont refuses to let the additive companies call PTFE "Teflon", because they tested the stuff and decided they did not want their brand name damaged by a product that does harm in the engine application.

Read the owner's manual for any new car. Putting an additive in the oil voids your warranty. Read what Mercury Marine recommends.

At best you are wasting money. More likely you are screwing up the additive package that any quality oil already has. Buy any top brand recommended for your engine, and you are getting everything your engine needs.

Unless you are a tribologist (lubrication engineer), and you know something the real experts do not know, you should not home brew your motor oil.

 

[fc3]

Well said, Springer

 

[tdappleman]

Excellent post, Springer. Just use a good quality oil which meets the requirements from the manufacturer. In my business we always get people trying to sell us the latest additive. About the only thing I see it doing is getting me additional money per car. I've refused to use them - I do have a couple of customers who bring their own additives in and we'll put it in for them during the oil change. For those customers it is clearly identified on their receipt and service history that it was a customer supplied part and I'm not liable.

 

[Lazy Daze]

+1 to posts 2, 3 & 4

 

[Meric PowerSports]

With all of the high quality synthetics on the market, I see no real need for extra additives

 

[ruf1967]

Stick to the routine oil changes with Mercury brand oil and your engine will appreciate it.

 

[mvoellinger]

How many engines have you seen where the oil was changed at least close to the schedule, and yet still failed due to a lubrication issue? (Oil pump failing doesn't count).

I havent seen any.

My last car, a 95 altima, at 210k miles the engine still ran strong with nothing more than oil changes every 3k miles with dino oil, and 5k with synthetic from 90k miles on. And it was run hard. The body died long before the engine - I have no doubt that engine could have made it to 300k.

 

[TheJoker]

I use amsoil for boats in mine. Boat runs great.

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

I always use regular non-synthetic Merc Brand oil for my changes (do them myself). I've considered using the Merc full (or is it partial) synthetic, but I just am not convinced that it would make a difference in engine wear nor an appreciable reduction in fuel consumption.

If someone has real life examples of absolutely saving more $$ on fuel during a 50Hr season than the cost difference of full synthetic Merc Oil, I would probably change my oil used from regular to full sythetic.

 

[BonBini]

I believe the two additives your referring to are meant to adhere themselves some how to internal metals and therefore protect them from friction. I remember an engine oil add some time ago advertising one of these additives in there oil therefore boasting there oil was better. My training and experience with engines has been no moving metal parts touch. There always riding on a film of oil. Recently I have seen piston skirts coated with teflon right from the manufacturer. Looks to me as all it is meant to do is to keep the cold start scuffing down to a minimum.

On the other hand, just a tiny bit off topic but very interesting: The torque turn method on cylinder head bolts seems to be the norm these days. A moly lube is recommended by Cat as thread lube. A while back I was torqueing down a hydraulic cylinder rod nut from an excavator. Two torque specs were given. One with hydraulic oil as thread lube and the other with moly lube. 10,000 lb ft for the hyd oil and 8,000 lb ft for the moly. I was surprised at the difference.

Although these two additives have been around for a while and there is a use for them, I gota go with others here and say I don't believe there doing much for an engine. ...Ron

 

[Fun Times]

Hi Guys

Has anybody used oil additives in their Merc's like PTFE of MOS2. I have used them in my cars and had reasonable results in newer cars, but excelent results in older cars.
Considdering the heavy load factors and operating conditions boat motors endure, I would think an additive that reduces friction, heat, and wear and tear would be an advantage. Not to mension he lower fuel consumption, and smoother running.

Cheers

Oil Requirements for Gasoline Engines and Preventing
Contamination of Engines with Emissions Control
Models Affected
Model Serial Number Range
Gasoline Sterndrive All
Gasoline Inboard All
Gasoline Tow Sports All
Gasoline Sterndrive with Emissions Control All
Gasoline Inboard with Emissions Control All
Gasoline Tow Sports with Emissions Control All
Situation
The following crankcase oil recommendation includes newly available engine oils, and
supersedes all previous crankcase oil recommendations for MerCruiser gasoline engines.
This service bulletin contains the best available recommendation from Mercury Marine as
of February 2008. If the owner's manual, which is updated from time to time, is not
consistent with recommendations made in this bulletin, follow the recommendation of this
bulletin.
Newly introduced engine packages with Emissions Control have catalysts that will be
rendered ineffective if they become contaminated with certain elements or compounds.
These packages require special lubricants as described in this bulletin.
Engine Oil Recommendations for MerCruiser Gasoline Engines
For optimum engine performance and maximum protection, use the following oil:
Application Recommended Oil
All MerCruiser engines Mercury MerCruiser Full‑Synthetic Engine Oil, 20W‑40, NMMA FC‑W rated
IMPORTANT: Lubrication requirements for catalyzed engines differ from the requirements
for non‑catalyzed engines. Some marine‑grade lubricants contain high levels of
phosphorus, which can damage the catalyst system on MerCruiser engines. Although
these high‑phosphorus lubricants may allow acceptable engine performance, exposure
over time will damage the catalyst. Catalysts damaged by lubricants containing high levels
of phosphorus may not be covered by the MerCruiser Limited Warranty.
Oil Requirements for Gasoline Engines and Preventing Contamination of Engines with Emissions Control
Page 2 of 2 ​

If Mercury MerCruiser Full‑Synthetic, 20W‑40 oil is unavailable, use the following
lubricants, listed in order of recommendation. If you are servicing a catalyst engine, use
these for short periods of time only.
1. Mercury/Quicksilver 25W‑40 Synthetic Blend, NMMA FC‑W–rated 4‑cycle MerCruiser
oil
2. Mercury/Quicksilver 25W‑40, NMMA FC‑W–rated 4‑cycle MerCruiser oil
3. Other recognized brands of NMMA FC‑W–rated 4‑cycle oils
4. A good‑grade, straight‑weight detergent automotive oil according to the last row of the
operating chart below.
NOTE: We do not recommend non‑detergent oils, multi‑viscosity oils (other than as
specified), non FC‑W–rated synthetic oils, low‑quality oils, or oils that contain solid
additives.
Mercury Full-Synthetic MerCruiser Engine Oil, 20W-40, NMMA FC-W rated
MerCruiser/Quicksilver 25W-40 Synthetic Blend, NMMA FC-W rated 4-cycle MerCruiser oil
Other recognized brands of NMMA FC-W rated oils
SAE 20W
SAE30W
SAE40W
AIR TEMPERATURE
ORDER OF PREFERENCE
(32° F)
0° C
(50° F)
10° C
32878
Mercury/Quicksilver 25W-40, NMMA FC-W rated 4-cycle MerCruiser oil
Preventing Contamination of the Emissions Control System
Catalyst and oxygen sensors can become contaminated, leading to component failure.
Phosphorus, found in some marine‑grade oils, and other compounds will damage or
destroy a catalyst's ability to clean the exhaust. Catalyst‑friendly oil, like Mercury Full
Synthetic MerCruiser Engine Oil, prevents this damage. Approved synthetic oils must be
used in MerCruiser engines with emissions control.
Acetoxy silicone sealants and other compounds in the exhaust stream can damage oxygen
sensors and catalysts. Do not use non‑approved compounds and sealants. Oxime silicone
sealants and Loctite 587 High Performance Blue can be safely used with catalyzed
engines.
Fiberglass, a silica‑based material, can contaminate the catalyst and the oxygen sensors.
To reduce the possibility that the engine will ingest harmful fiberglass and thereby poison
the emission control components, protect the engine from fiberglass dust and debris during​

construction and clean‑up.

 

[KayKook]

Thanks for the cut and paste.