AMS oil versus Mercury recommended oil?

[Fish Fast]

Just wondering what everyones take is running AMS fully synthetic oil in my Mercury optimax 115hp.  It is three years old and up until now I have used the synthetic oil that the manufacturer recommends.  I now have a friend who can get the AMS fully synthetic for half the price.  Is there really any difference?

[Fishing Rhino]

Manufacturers are prone to recommend products with their name on it.  So, you know it should work.  But it will usually cost more than other brand name oils.

I believe that just like autos, your outboard's operating manual will tell you to run an oil that meets certain SAE specs.

If the AMS oil is labelled to meet or exceed those specs, you should not have a problem.

No outboard motor manufacturer produces petroleum products.  For all we know, the AMS may be the same exact product.

Meeting the specs for oil products is the important factor.  Doesn't matter if it's Shell, Exxon, or AMS.

[Al Wolbach]

I have a 1998 Yamaha 225 V-Max. I have run Amsoil HP Injector oil in it for at least 10 years without any problems. Prior to switching I could not get through a year without having to clean or replace the O2 sensor. Since switching I have cleaned in once and replaced it once. Amsoil burns cleaner than Yamalube, but not sure about your Mercury oil since it is synthetic.........I would not be afraid to switch........Al

[junebugmn]

I know this is no bass boat, but my 99 zr600 efi sled, I switched from 50-1 arctic cat mineral based oil to amsoil intercepter and my sled run's alot smoother and don't smoke nearly as much Give it a try! Junebugman

[Wayne P.]

Amsoil is good stuff, BUT it is not BIA certified TCW-III and may void your warranty. I used the HP-Injector in older engines (post warranty).

[Al Wolbach]

Amsoil is good stuff, BUT it is not BIA certified TCW-III and may void your warranty. I used the HP-Injector in older engines (post warranty).

I'm not sure of the difference but it is NMMA certified TCW-III rated. I need to do more research........Al

[fishfordollars]

I have always run the manufacturer's recommended oil in my boat. I'm sure there are cheaper brands that will do the job, but i am just a little more comfortable staying with the recommended oil. JMO

[Wayne P.]

Al, it is "recommended" for that application but is NOT certified.

The company has not gone thru the certification process like most other companies have done for their products. Read the lable on the bottle and/or visit the web site.

Here is one that is certified: http://www.pennzoil.com/documents/Multi-Purpose+2-cycle+engine.pdf

[R520dvx]

I too run the manufacturer's recommended oil ..... actually, Evinrude suggests XD50 and I choose to use XD100. The 100 is full synthetic ..... no carbon ..... and is less viscous in COLD weather for better oil flow.

Yes .... it is expensive ..... let me see $30 for oil or $18,000 for an engine ......   

[fishfordollars]

I too run the manufacturer's recommended oil ..... actually, Evinrude suggests XD50 and I choose to use XD100. The 100 is full synthetic ..... no carbon ..... and is less viscous in COLD weather for better oil flow.

Yes .... it is expensive ..... let me see $30 for oil or $18,000 for an engine ......

Great point. I just went through a 5,000.00 total rebuild(Actually it was 5,349.00 if you want to count the parts for the lower unit), and I want no hassel if something happens. Problem is I'm the one that did the build so I ain't looking to chew my own A** out.

[Al Wolbach]

Al, it is "recommended" for that application but is NOT certified.

The company has not gone thru the certification process like most other companies have done for their products. Read the lable on the bottle and/or visit the web site.

Here is one that is certified: http://www.pennzoil.com/documents/Multi-Purpose+2-cycle+engine.pdf

Wayne, the container(HP Injector) does not state recommended or certified, it just has "NMMA TC-W3, API TC" listed alone in the middle of the label. I find it hard to believe they would or could do this without being certified, but I have been wrong before............Al

[TrackerG]

When i bought a 2 gallon jug of Mercury optimax oil for about $80, I thought holy hell this must be marketed by Harley. After running 16 times on the water last summer, i realized the optimax is pretty efficient on gas and oil. I think i had to add 2 quarts all summer. that is about $20 for oil. I have no complaints.

[Al Wolbach]

Wayne, I stand corrected. You are correct, Amsoil is not certified. The following addresses the same issue. Copy and pasted........

I'm not going to get into the usual argument about TCW3 certification. i will just stick to the same statements I say over and over.

1) I was always told that NO true 100% synthetic can ever be certified. One of the certifications ingrediants is a petroleum product. So if a bottle says its synthetic, and its also certified, then its not 100%

2) Some people on here bow down to XD100 oil as the best thing that can be put on slice bread. Last I check, not certified, its synthetic. and from what I was told, double the price per gal of Amsoil

3) Amsoil does to much testing and R&D to be stuck in a certification. Once you pay the 25k or whatever it cost to be certified, they are stuck in that formula. If Amsoil test a newer or better base oil, and wanna use it, then they void that certification and have to re-apply. (and pay 25k)

4) Have you ever taken a look at the TC-W3 list. i guarantee their are oils on the list that ARE certified, that you would never put in your motor, even if it was given to you free, no matter how old your motor was. But why not, Its CERTIFIED... (sarcasm)

5) TCW3 certification used testing on a 70 Hp engine before DFI, Oil injection or anything else and has come down with serious critisism recently.

But I can understand people worrying about warranty's on new motors that cost what they do. But do you really see you shop taking oil to lab to test it?

Sorry so long..... If you need anything else, IM me. I will send you a data sheet on it if you want to read it on your own time. Thanks to all the other guys on here for the high regards

[Wayne P.]

Thanks Al, I used the HP injector for many years in 2-strokes and have discussed the lack of certification with several Amsoil reps.

When it comes to a warranty claim costing the mfg several thousand dollars for parts/labor, I'm sure some won't hesitate to dispute what type of lubrication was used.

The quality of the Amsoil is probably better than any of the motor brand oils, but that is not the point. The motor mfg. state the lubricant requirements and those have to be adhered to maintain the warranty.

[R520dvx]

2) Some people on here bow down to XD100 oil as the best thing that can be put on slice bread. Last I check, not certified, its synthetic. and from what I was told, double the price per gal of Amsoil

I run XD100 ..... if someone is paying twice as much for it they need to find another source. I pay $34.95 per gallon in a BRP jug or can buy  it bulk for $28.00