I have a mercruiser 3.0L and the manual said that a 30wt oil is good for the engine and I used straight 30wt oil. here
See full version: Oil level in mercruiser stern drive
I have a mercruiser 3.0L and the manual said that a 30wt oil is good for the engine and I used straight 30wt oil. here
Re: Oil level in mercruiser stern drive?
Re: Oil level in mercruiser stern drive?
Thanks for the info. had one more question. I have just took out all the oil in the engine and replaced the oil filter. Mercury says to use their oil which is 25w-40. Would it be safe to use other oil such as 20w-40 or even 10w-40 ? I mean, these 3 types of oil all have the same viscosity when they heat up anyway.<br /><br />thanks for your time. more
Got NAPA around? SAE 40wt.<br />Merc High Performance Synthetic Gear Lube
A good grade of straight-weight detergent automotive oils.
Mercury Quicksilver 25W-40 Synthetic Blend NMMA FC-W rated 4-cycle MerCruiser Oil. here
Mercury Marine, the manufacturer of the MerCruiser 454, specifies Mercury MerCruiser Full Synthetic Engine Oil, 20W-40 NMMC FC-W rated as its recommended oil for the engine.
Mercury Quicksilver 25W-40 NMMA FC-W rated 4-cycle MerCruiser Oil. [links]
The MerCruiser 454 marine engine, manufactured by Mercury Marine, is used to power the stern drive in many boats. It is a large engine, adequate for water-sports towing, and is generally used in larger runabouts and cruisers. Using the proper oil in the MerCruiser 454 engine will aid its longevity. Some marine-grade oils contain high phosphorus levels, which can damage the 454's catalyst system. Use of those oils on the 454 can void the warranty.
Other recognized brands of NMMA FC-W rated 4-cycle oils. here
Mercury Marine suggests that some of its Quicksilver oils with a 25W-40 weight may be used for a short term if MerCruiser Full-Synthetic oil is unavailable.
An oil with an EC-W rating is specified by Mercury Marine for use in the MerCruiser 4.3L. Ratings are given by the NMMA (National Marine Manufacturer's Association). To achieve this rating, the oil is laboratory-tested for viscosity, corrosion, filter plugging, foaming, and aeration. The oil must pass these tests to the NMMA standards, including a 100-hour general-performance engine test. here
The MerCruiser 4.3L is an inboard boat engine, manufactured by Mercury Marine, used to power the stern drive of the vessel in which it is mounted. Mercury Marine has specific recommendations regarding the type of oil to be used in its MerCruiser engines.
Mercury Marine recommends a full-synthetic oil for use in all of its MerCruiser engines. Synthetic oil uses a created, or synthesized base, and is of much higher purity than petroleum-based lubricants. It is made with smaller molecules and fewer impurities than is regular oil Synthetic oil can stand up to heat better than conventional oils. It is also able to withstand colder temperatures. [links]
Mercury Marine, the manufacturer of the 4.3L MerCruiser engine, specifies that the owner use Mercury MerCruiser Full-Synthetic Engine Oil, 20W-40, with a NMMC EC-W rating. This specific oil is recommended by the company for all MerCruiser engines, including the 4.3L. It is available at many marine service/parts centers.
A variety of other companies also offer 20W-40 Full-Synthetic Marine Oil with the required NMMA EC-W certification. here
Start the engine and allow it to run until normal operating temperature is reached. In general this will mean taking the boat out for a short cruise or, (if consistent with the manufacturer's recommendations) running it with a proper water hookup in dry dock) to bring the engine oil and stern drive lubricant up to temperature. There are two important reasons for wanting the oil hot prior to draining. First, hot oil flows better than cold oil, so by keeping the oil hot, you will ensure a more complete oil change. Second, and most importantly, heating and agitating the oil allows dirt and other contaminants in the oil to be suspended and subsequently removed when the oil is changed. CAUTION: Water must circulate through the lower unit and engine anytime the engine is operating. Just a few seconds without water will severely damage the water pump impeller.
Normally, these impurities do not affect the internal components because they are burned off when the unit is brought up to normal operating temperature. However, any contaminants left in the lubricating fluids will have a detrimental effect on the engine and stern drive when the boat is idle for a period of time. more
There are several lubrication points on a stern drive boat. The most notable are the gimbal housing, drive shaft, and tilt/trim mechanism. Lubrication reduces friction between moving components thus to prevent wear and provides a measure of water resistance to prevent corrosion. NOTE: When lubricating greasable points, always use a marine type waterproof grease consistent with recommendations of manufacturer. more
One of the easiest and most forgotten forms of maintenance is routine inspection of fluid levels. Checking the engine and stern drive lubricant levels regularly allow you to spot problems before they become disasters.