Mercury Optimax oil vs. Mercury Premium Plus

[cglenn]

'08 Optimax 200hp. My issue is this:

Mercury Marine recommends Optimax oil or Mercury premium plus as acceptable for use in the new Optimax engines.

My local Mercury Marine dealer and Service provider ONLY sell the Mercury Premium Plus Synthetic blend oil and upon asking the question why I was told by the owner and senior mechanic "The factory training suggests the use of the Permium Plus Synthetic Blend. Also Mercury racing says to use the premuim plus synthetic blend"

Another board has a Mercury certified mechanic that say that Mercury's official stance is to use the Optimax oil and only use the premium plus under rare circumstances.

Several other "Seasoned" Mercury optimax owners have given me various responses.

My best guess is that for mercury to get a "Low Emissions" ranking that the optimax oils is used as use of the premium plus has been indicated to provide a "small" amount of carbon buildup. Having said this I will use quick-kleen in every tank of fuel. Price is NO concern whatsoever as I will not use hundreds of gallons of oil. The BEST possible lubrication and longevity is what I am after for my outboard. Having said this, I am NO EXPERT by any stretch, wouldn't the requirement of using the premium plus sythetic blend requirement for the racing (high - RPM, stress induced use) motors require the BEST lubrication ? Are the oiling ratios setup different ?


Looking for honest, factual if possible, opinions which bar preference just because or price.

 

[oilboy123]

I am not sure if something is out that can replace it that is as good or better.....
Do a Google search like is Optimax oil the best? OR Optimax vs Mercury premium plus synthetic blend oil.

Try a new Google search every day for a week. You will learn a lot.
Looks like some people are having deposits using Merc premium plus oil. Others are using aftermarket synthetic oils.

 

[oilboy123]

This is the Amsoil oil for the Optimax. It is a full synthetic 50-1 injector oil. I think a good synthetic injector oil will work. I also believe that the Optimax oil is probably a pretty good synthetic injector oil. Whether it is the best probably not.....?
If it was me I would probably use the Optimax oil while in warranty then switch to this oil out of warranty. This will cover your caboose. But I use Amsoil anyway.....

hp Injector Synthetic 2-Cycle Oil
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HP Injector Synthetic 2-Cycle Oil (HPI)


hp Injector Synthetic 2-Cycle Oil (HPI)
Excellent for all outboard motors with a performance emphasis on modern direct fuel injected (DFI) technology. Also recommended for personal watercraft, jet boats, motorcycles, snowmobiles and ATVs. Injector use or 50:1 premix.
NMMA TC-W3, API TC
See Pricing Information or Place an Order

Package sizes include:

1-Quart Bottle
1-Quart Bottles (case of 12)
1-Gallon Bottle
1-Gallon Bottles (case of 4)
16-Gallon Keg

AMSOIL 2-Cycle Oil Lineup
HPI Applications
"The Fabulous Four"


HP Injector Synthetic 2-Cycle Oil (HPI)
Saber Professional Synthetic 100:1 Pre-Mix 2-Cycle Oil (ATP)
Saber Outboard Synthetic 100:1 Pre-Mix 2-Cycle Oil (ATO)
INTERCEPTOR Synthetic 2-Cycle Oil (AIT)
DOMINATOR Synthetic 2-Cycle Racing Oil (TDR)

* Superior performance in DFI outboard motors
* Reduces piston and combustion chamber deposits
* Protects against "ring jacking" common to DFI outboards
* Low smoke, low odor product
* Contains up to 30 percent more additives for "super clean" operation
* Reduces wear for long engine life
* Protects against rust
* Multi-functional and recommended for use in many two-cycle motors
* Low aquatic toxicity
* Recommended for use as injection oil or at a 50:1 pre-mix

hp Injector is a precise synthetic formulation that exceeds the lubrication demands of modern two-cycle motors. Today’s two-cycle outboard motors operate at higher temperatures and at leaner oil and fuel ratios than older motors. This difficult operating environment requires proper lubrication technology to keep motors running long and strong. hp Injector is a premium lubricant engineered with AMSOIL synthetic base oils and MAXDOSE advanced additives. It contains up to 30 percent more additives than other TC-W3 two-cycle oils for “super clean” operation. And because AMSOIL synthetic oils are more durable, they are perfect for lean mixture operations. In addition, this AMSOIL exclusive product produces low smoke and odor and has low aquatic toxicity properties, making it ideal for boats.

hp Injector improves engine life. It helps prevent deposits that cause ring sticking and ring jacking (carbon build-up behind the ring, forcing it outward), a phenomenon that occurs in modern DFI outboard motors. hp Injector reduces wear. It has excellent lubricity properties and provides a good lubricating oil film, protecting pistons and bearings. hp Injector protects against rust, an important feature where motors are subjected to water. hp Injector provides superior performance in direct fuel injected (DFI), semi-direct fuel injected (SDI), electronic fuel injected (EFI) and carbureted outboard motors, as well as other recreational equipment.

Applications (2-Cycle Recommendations Chart)
hp Injector is recommended for use in all two-cycle outboard motors including, but not limited to, Mercury® EFI & Optimax®, Johnson® and Evinrude® FICHT® and E-TEC™, Yamaha® HPDI, Nissan® and Tohatsu® TLDI®, Suzuki®, Mariner® and Force®. Also recommended for use in all two-cycle personal watercraft and jet boats, as well as snowmobiles, motorcycles and ATVs.

Use as injection oil or as 50:1 pre-mix (2.6 oz. per U.S. gallon of gas) where NMMA TC-W3 or API TC oils are specified. Compatible with mineral and synthetic TC-W3-type two-cycle oils, however, mixing two-cycle oils should be minimized.
TYPICAL TECHNICAL PROPERTIES
hp Injector Synthetic 2-Cycle Oil

Kinematic Viscosity @ 100°C, cSt (ASTM D-445)
8.5

Kinematic Viscosity @ 40°C, cSt (ASTM D-445)
46.8
Viscosity Index (ASTM D-2270)
160

Pour Point °C (°F) (ASTM D-97)
-46 (-51)

Flash Point °C (°F) (ASTM D-92)
86 (187)
Fire Point °C (°F) (ASTM D-92)
86 (187)
DANGER: harmful or fatal if swallowed. Contains synthetic lubricant and petroleum distillates. If swallowed do not induce vomiting. Contact a physician immediately. Keep away from fire, heat and open flame. Use with adequate ventilation. Avoid frequent or prolonged skin contact. Flush eyes with water for 15 minutes in case of contact. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

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[gwdriver]

cglenn- Premium plus was used before Merc came out with Opti Oil. It caused some issues with some motors. The Opti oil has a stronger syn additive package than the Premium Plus. The DI Optimax requires it. Prem Plus is a TC-W3 certified oil. Opti oil is not TC-W3 certified. It is not to be used in any engine except the Opti. Even states this on the back of the bottle. I am retired. I have 2 Grady-Whites and fish at least 3 days a week all year long. I work on outboard engines on the side. I have at least 12 friends that run Opti,s on their boats. They use the following oils with no problems whatsoever-Merc or Quicksilver Opti oil, West Marine DFI oil, and Pennzoil XLF syn blend. Many of my fellow forum members at http://www.thehulltruth.com run the Pennzoil. It is cheaper,less smoke, and they have no exhaust soot in the prop. All these oils are warranty approved for the Opti.

 

[oilboy123]

Good info to know.........I would like to get a boat at some point in the future. Never know I might get an optimax outboard.