What's so good about Mercruiser High Perform. oil?

[friendly_jacek]

I recently visited my favorite boating store and noticed $14 sticker on Mercruiser/Quicksilver brand of High Performance gear oil. I remember it costing $6-7 just recently. Is inflation that bad?

By the way, this is the only fluid allowed by Mercruiser in current I/O drives.

I'm not so sure anymore that this is really the greatest gear oil to use. I saw some sludge in the overfill reservoir after 3 years of use (oil replaced every year). People consider this quality synthetic oil, even though merc doesn’t claim it being synthetic. I checked the MSDS:
http://wwwarchive.mercurymarine.com/uploads/1653/1796/041-4704Q.pdf
It contains mostly Refined Petroleum (CAS 64742-01-4). This really sounds like dino oil. Maybe group 3, not sure.

Interestingly, the plain performance gear oil: http://wwwarchive.mercurymarine.com/uploads/1653/1795/002-1472.pdf
that is considered dino has the same Refined Petroleum (CAS 64742-01-4) but less additive package.

I would like to see VOA on this. Anyone saw or did VOA on marine gear oils?

Anyone running non-Merc GL-5 gear oils in newer Merc alpha I/O?

 

[friendly_jacek]

Update:
I found more info on CAS 64742-01-4 and guess what. It's not group 3. The High-Performance is a plain dino oil with probably solid additive package. The plot thickens.
CAS 64742-01-4:
http://iaspub.epa.gov/srs/srs_proc_qry.navigate?P_SUB_ID=341305

 

[dwendt44]

As far as I know, Mercury doesn't recommend synthetic oil in anything they make.
They offer, and allow, a synthetic blend; that's as close as they get.
Generally speaking, synthetic oils aren't all that great at
corrosion protection; a major concern in a marine environment.
Mercury may recommend their own gear oil, but I'm not sure they can say 'use this only', unless they give it to you free.

 

[BUBBA0420]

They also caution about mixing the two saying they are
not compatible

 

[Gillsy]

I was pretty sure the High Perf lube was a synthetic blend. I seem to recall a greenish color versus a honey color for the regular lube.

 

[Volvohead]

The HP is green (at least it was several years ago), and smells potent, to say the least.

For the amount of lube used for a typical outdrive fill, the price isn't that big a deal.

Boaters looking to save $5 on an outdrive service are missing the forest through the trees.

 

[PT1]

I have had Mecury powertrains in my boats for almost 30 years. If you have a problem (have had 3) their first question is always "what oil are you using?" everytime I answered "merc" they fixed my problem under goodwill and all 3 were out of warranty. So I can tell you they will ask and if you do toast an engine or outdrive they will ask for your oil receipts. Lucky for me I bought all my oil from my marina and they had all my purchase records.