ChuckBCcougar
Registered User
Posts: 1
(4/26/04 8:36 am)
Reply
Optimax oil
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I have a 200 optimax and was wondering if I have to use the Mercury oil for it. At $25 a gallon it's just a little too much. I know synthetic cost more but that's $5 more than 4 qts of synthetics for cars or motorcycles. Plus it's more than say, Penzoil synthetic 2 stroke boat oil. But if the Mercury oil works the best I'll use it. Cheaper than a new motor.

2500
Posts: 127
(4/26/04 6:08 pm)
Reply Re: Optimax oil
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Per Merc on Optimax----- Minimum oil to use Mercury Premium PLUS again make sure it's the PLUS Premium.

Then the DFI/OPTIMAX oil.

RD3
Posts: 305
(4/26/04 8:06 pm)
Reply Re: Optimax oil
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This has been discussed a lot on here. Personally I wouldn't use anything but optimax oil. You should check around for a better price. some places sell it in bulk for less.

RD3 '03 ProCraft
200 Combo 225 Optimax
"Lots of Fun!!!"

Laundry1
BumbleBee Moderator
Posts: 1214
(4/26/04 8:41 pm)
Reply Re: Optimax oil
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That is one oil I didn't send in for testing. Dern, need another sample bottle...Ron



Tri One On
Posts: 218
(4/30/04 5:03 am)
Reply Re: Optimax oil
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personally i would use the dfi oil and also run quickleen in the gas too.

2500
Posts: 129
(4/30/04 5:56 pm)
Reply Re: Mixing Premium Plus and DFI oil?
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Just a note Mercury has only one true synthetic oil thats for the super hopped up Mod motors and ones that turn 7500 R's or more. Merc also says this oil is not for production motors. The Opti oil is a petrolium based oil that has some synthetic quailites. If you go to Mercurys dealer "master" sale book its all in there. I use Premium Plus and will make the change once the oil needs to be added at almost empty. I have researched this and that what I found. I was told by Merc not to run a true synthetic oil in the Opti cause it will be a problem down the road. I can see how the oil is mist-ed and needs to be thinner.

ChuckBCcougar
Posts: 2
(4/30/04 11:53 pm)
Reply
Re: Optimax oil
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That's my plan. I'd rather pay a couple extra dollars for the oil than pay to have the motor fixed. Sure wish it was cheaper though.

emptyhook53
Registered User
Posts: 12
(5/1/04 1:01 am)
Reply Oil
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Chuck,

I've owned two Opti's--a 99 and an 03--both 225's. I have run nothing but Opti oil in both. I did run premimum plus in the 99 until Merc came out with the Opti oil. I have had no problems--period. I do not believe in cutting cornors when it comes to oil. In the grand design, the cost of oil is a minor part of what I spend to fish (notice I did not say catch!).

I do have one question for you. Where in the world do you live? My dealer in Va. sells it for around $17 a gal. He also sells it for about $14 a gal for bulk. You might try finding some friends who would go in a buy a drum. Or, if that is not possible, maybe a dealer in another part of the country would sell it to you by the case and ship it to you. Don't know if you would save much but it would be worth looking into.

If you want to check with my dealer, call Pop's Marine (Toano, Virginia) at 757-566-8939 and ask for Richard or Wayne. Good People. Hope this helps.

Ratltrap
Posts: 329
(5/1/04 1:20 am)
Reply Re: Oil
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Problem with my Merc dealer is he doesn't have enough volume sales to justify a purchase of a 55 gallon drum of Optimax oil. He does sell bulk Merc premium but it's not all that cheap, matter of fact I just bought 4 gallon of Merc oil at the Academy store in Shreveport LA, for $9.99 a gallon, that's really cheap for Merc oil. That's a couple of bucks cheaper a gallon than I can buy it for bulk !!!
Never have run any additives other than oil in my engine, nothing in my owners manual about any other product that needs to be added.

ChuckBCcougar
Posts: 4
(5/1/04 1:34 am)
Reply
Re: Optimax oil
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I live just outside Little Rock AR. and $22 is the cheapest I can find. But like you said, it's really a small part of what I spend for fishing. ( and a little catching ).

I was just curious as to what makes the Merc Optimax oil so special besides the name. A lot of manufactures have their own name brand of oil and say you should use it but don't say why. I went through this with Harley oil. Never did find anything special about it.

But for now I'll keep using what is working. Better safe than sorry.

Tri One On
Posts: 223
(5/1/04 2:41 am)
Reply Re: Optimax oil
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The main difference between Merc Premium Plus and Opti/DFI oil is the latter is synthetic. Also, it has been mentioned here before that the Premium plus, a non-synthetic oil, was designed to be mixed with gasoline. The Opti does not mix oil with the gas, it is injected separately, directly into the motor. I want the most protection (lubrication) I can get with the Opti because of its known problems with powerheads. Thats also why I run Quickleen in "every" tank, to eliminate, to the extent possible, carbon buildup. I was able to buy a case of DFI oil at BPS earlier this year for 18 a bottle ... have seen it as high as 27.

Beeware290
Registered User
Posts: 56
(5/1/04 4:57 am)
Reply Mixing Premium Plus and DFI oil?
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Can you mix the two? I currently run Premium Plus, but am going to make the change (no problems with with the PP). Is it OK to mix the DFI oil with what is left of the PP in the oil tank? Just wondering.

Tri One On
Posts: 224
(5/1/04 5:11 am)
Reply Re: Mixing Premium Plus and DFI oil?
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According to Mercury it is OK to mix them. Check this link out.

http://www.mercurymarine.com/optimax_faqs

Tri One On
Posts: 230
(5/2/04 9:09 am)
Reply Re: Optimax oil
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Quote from the Mercury FAQ page:

What is the advantage of the OptiMax/DFI Synthetic Blend 2-Cycle Outboard Oil?


The OptiMax/DFI Synthetic Blend 2-Cycle Outboard oil is specifically designed for Mercury Marine direct injected outboard engines. The additive package used in this oil is superior to the other oils we produce and formulated to provide an extra margin of protection in the OptiMax engines. OptiMax engines have additional pressures and temperatures over their carbureted and EFI counterparts.


ChuckBCcougar
Posts: 5
(5/3/04 8:00 am)
Reply Re: Optimax oil
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So it seems that Mercury adds some sort of "additive package" to this sythetic oil. At least I now know there is something different from other synthetic oils. I just need to find a place that sells it cheaper. But considering a tank of oil will last at least 2 52 gallon tank of fuel it not to bad.

Laundry1
BumbleBee Moderator

Reply Re: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am going to get a sample to send off. I have sent several samples of different oils off and we will probably see that it is little difference....Ron