Amsoil LU gear lube results

As some of you know I have been restoring a 23' Proline and installed an '04 250hp DI Ram Injection motor. I considered using Amsoil in place of the HD 100 but after checking prices and reading these boards I chose to stick with the HD100.

However I did decide to run the Amsoil LU gear lube. I am a firm believer in syntheic oils and run it in all of my vehicles so I am well aware of the qualities of the oil. However I never expected results like I have gotten with this latest change. With the factory installed oil I was getting a GPS speed of 45.6 mph, with a 17 pitch prop and turning 5900 rpm. With the gear lube change the boat ran 47.8mph with the same prop but this time it turned over 6000, not sure what it would turn since I would not let it run over that. I ran the boat both times on a large lake with no current and there was no wind either time.

The results are even more startling when you consider this. When I first tested the boat it was bare, no windshield, no seat( we just stood behind the leaning post) no boarding platform. With the amsoil run I had installed the windshield, installed a 44" wide leaning post, and a swim platform. Very pleased with these early results!!

If you're going to do this type of test and then brag on a product, you need to post the other variables. Were the ambient temperatures the same on both runs? The relative humidity? How about the fuel load (gas weighs 6# per gallon so it could make a difference)?

OK ... so you gained 2.20 MPH with the Amsoil. Do what you wish, because it's obviously your motor and also your money. But I absolutely refuse to run anything but BRP factory products in my Evinrude. They are time-proven products and backed by the engine manufacturer. The Amsoil might be good. It might even be better. But everyone has to make their own choices.

A gain of 2.20 MPH is not a lot if you destroy something in the process. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif

You're right, I did not factor in the gas,,,, I put 25 gals of gas in the boat in the way to the lake. The last trip before that was the one where I took the readings with the OMC oil in the foot. NOr did I factor in the fact my 160lb wife was on the boat who was not on the prevouis trip. I am not trying to sell anyone on anything. One reason I decided to give the Amsoil a try was because of the results I have had in my vehicles. I am around boats all the time and the loudest complaint I hear of Etecs and before that OMC brands in general is the seemingly high rate of LU failures. For what is worth I have owned every major brand with the exception of Honda and I have had better service out of my OMC products than any other save the LUs. I was just sharing the results I found. Sorry I did not ask your approval before hand!!!

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by wejohns &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Sorry I did not ask your approval before hand!!!</td></tr></table>

WOW. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/eyes.gif No need to get your panties in a wad. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/Laugh.gif I wasn't saying anything to you on a personal level.

My point was (and is) that in order to make a comparison that means something, all of the variables have to be noted. Especially when you are using 2.20 MPH as the deciding factor. I wouldn't be excited at all about ANYTHING pertaining to outboards (especially lubricants) until they have been tested in a long-term situation. You posted test results that were compiled from 2 trips to the water. A boat can vary 2 MPH on consecutive days with no changes to the boat of any sort.

If someone wanted to know what fluids to run in an OMC lower unit, I would suggest you contact "gearcaseman" and ask his opinion. He works on them daily, and would have an unbiased opinion on how to make them last. If he recommends Amsoil, that's great. I'd run what he recommended. No need to run your own tests unless you're just enjoying doing so. Just my opinion. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif

As for the Amsoil foot lubricant it is probably one of the very best on the market. It has the ability to protect your gears and bearings with I believe it is 20% water. I have been running Evinrudes since the early 1970's. E-Rude makes good products. But as far as lower unit oil I will take the Amsoil. JMHO http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif

Also I believe that Gearcaseman recomends Royal Purple http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/glasses.gif

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by wejohns &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">As some of you know I have been restoring a 23' Proline and installed an '04 250hp DI Ram Injection motor. I considered using Amsoil in place of the HD 100 but after checking prices and reading these boards I chose to stick with the HD100.

However I did decide to run the Amsoil LU gear lube. I am a firm believer in syntheic oils and run it in all of my vehicles so I am well aware of the qualities of the oil. However I never expected results like I have gotten with this latest change. With the factory installed oil I was getting a GPS speed of 45.6 mph, with a 17 pitch prop and turning 5900 rpm. With the gear lube change the boat ran 47.8mph with the same prop but this time it turned over 6000, not sure what it would turn since I would not let it run over that. I ran the boat both times on a large lake with no current and there was no wind either time.

The results are even more startling when you consider this. When I first tested the boat it was bare, no windshield, no seat( we just stood behind the leaning post) no boarding platform. With the amsoil run I had installed the windshield, installed a 44" wide leaning post, and a swim platform. Very pleased with these early results!!</td></tr></table>

2mph gain............. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/eyes.gif http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/eyes.gif http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/eyes.gif

And I would have what reason for fabricating results? You got to love the internet and message boards. Like I said I also run Amsoil or other syntheics in all my vehicles. In my 2500 Dodge Cummins diesel going to Amsoil for all lubricating fluids it added 1.5mpg. In my wife's Expedition it did not change at all. In my previous 1500 dodge with 5.2 it did not add any mileage but the truck did have 335k miles on it, never had any tranny, differential, or motor issues.

So tell me the reason I have a need to be dishonest about the gains I had?

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by wejohns &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">

So tell me the reason I have a need to be dishonest about the gains I had?</td></tr></table>

Man, you need to CHILL. I read back through this thread (just to be SURE) and nowhere did I read anything that implied that you were being dishonest. I commented on your "gains" because they were so small that they could have been caused by something else than simply a fluid change. I know how much temperature changes and humidity can effect combustion engines because I have seen it happen many times when flying. It does make a difference. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/ohwell.gif

You keep on and on about Amsoil ... that's FINE. Use it. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif

You posted the original thread, and I simply said that a gain as insignificant as 2 mph didn't warrant me taking a look or risking a change. Simple as that. Nobody's telling you NOT to use the stuff. It's a DISCUSSION board. You voiced your opinion and started a discussion. Don't expect everyone to have the same opinion as you. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif

1999-- J-225-HPLEEN HO
LU LOves that AMSOIL
I beleive the post up a few is correct about the 20 % of water in oil it still will keep right on going,change mine end of every season .
GO AMSOIL.
BIG BASS

Had one that had a leak a few years ago. If it had not been for the Amsoil I believe that the lower would have been toast http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif

Y'all ought to find and read the Bass and Walleye Boats Gear oil test article where they took and tested different gear oils both with and without water added. Amsoil was included if I remember right.

I'm on the road this week so I don't have any links handy but a Google search may show it.

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by SEAHORSE &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Y'all ought to find and read the Bass and Walleye Boats Gear oil test article where they took and tested different gear oils both with and without water added. Amsoil was included if I remember right.
</td></tr></table>

Since you brought it up ... http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/Laugh.gif I have read that test several times. Here is a link to it:

http://bwbmag.com/output.cfm?i...d=308

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by TBirck &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Had one that had a leak a few years ago. If it had not been for the Amsoil I believe that the lower would have been toast http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif </td></tr></table>

Then you need to take heed to the following statement from that test:

After closely studying the data, we noticed <u>one lube consistently tested well</u>, and ranked above average in most of the tests. It also <u>demonstrated good lubricating properties in the water dilution tests</u>. That oil is the <u>Evinrude HPF-XR</u>, highly recommended for the boater who wants it all — good anti-wear characteristics, and <u>no worries about a little water intrusion</u>.

When reading that test, I also always noted especially THIS statement:

"It’s important to remember that you can’t go wrong by adhering to your outboard manufacturer’s lower-unit oil recommendation, as the oil is designed specifically for that use and is required for warranty coverage."

And that has been my point all along ..... http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif


Modified by Hair Jig at 6:31 PM 4/1/2012

http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif

Wejohns, Thank You for sharing this information with the board readers. I discovered similar results when I began to experiment with Royal Purple products many years ago. Trying to develop "an edge" is always intriguing and benificial to others who are genuinely interested in the same. When Maxed out, you have made substantial results with a 2 M.P.H. and R.P.M. increase that you gained. Keep up the good work and continue to keep us informed on further experimentation. I for one, found your report very enlightening. Thanks again !! http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/USA1.gif

I think its plausible that it could reduce some of the drag in the gear case which might increase performance/economy. The Synthetic might be capable of providing the same protection and load capabilities with a slightly lower viscosity.

I personally prefer to use the manufactures lubricants/parts. In most cases it is the most prudent choice.

Fuel economy, performance and reliability is a concern of all of the manufactures. The outboard industry is very competitive and if they could simply change the LU lube type to improve their product I think they would.

I know that one of the major functions of LU gear oil is to mix with water and still have a sufficient viscosity to prevent excessive wear in the case of a seal leak. Maybe there is a trade off.

You're forgetting the word you used "competitive". The manufacturers can't produce the quality of lubricants such as Royal Purple or Amsoil and stay competitive. Secondly, if you have a gearcase half full of water, you're fixing to have problems regardless of whose oil brand you use anyway. Smart outboard owners are constantly checking their fluid for water infiltration, since you never know if a seal is bad or you've tangled with fishing line.

Your claiming the manufacture's would not spend the extra $5-10 to include a high-performance synthetic lube to their outboards because of cost? They are spending a lot more then that to improve their products. That extra cost is insignificant. Their most likely not doing it because the benefits are very small or there is some trade off.

Unfortunately the seals leak during use because line wrapping or a seal reaches the end of its service life. When this happens the the LU will end up in a situation were it has an oil water mix. The operator will not know until they inspect the gear case lube. It happens often and not on purpose. If engine oil and gear lubes did not have the ability to mix with water (have added emulsifiers) the bearing surfaces would end up being separated by one or the other at some point. If they mix at least the surfaces will get some lube.


<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by gearcaseman &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">You're forgetting the word you used "competitive". The manufacturers can't produce the quality of lubricants such as Royal Purple or Amsoil and stay competitive. Secondly, if you have a gearcase half full of water, you're fixing to have problems regardless of whose oil brand you use anyway. Smart outboard owners are constantly checking their fluid for water infiltration, since you never know if a seal is bad or you've tangled with fishing line.</td></tr></table>