Use oil other than Yamalube?

[JWPrendergast]

The first oil change I did was using Yamalube, but there are other options, aren’t there? Cant you use a conventional oil or synthetic oil? Is there something special about the Yamaha oil?

 

[RightStuff]

Oh boy, lots of debate on this topic, if you search you will find lots of ammo around which way to go. Now for my opinion (it's not worth much!)...

I would use whatever oil you have a history with and/or comfortable with. There are lots of good oils out there and these engines are very tolerant to many different brands and types (dino vs. synth). Just make sure you follow the manual's suggestion on what weight of oil for the engines you have.

I personally run Mobile 1 synthetic in almost all of my engines (from tractor, cars and to the boat) and have had good experience.

 

[SCSTWG]

I use Mobile 1 Synthetic as well.

 

[Bruce]

I use Mobil 1. My 230 arrived with Mobil 1 in it from the previous owner and I am sticking with it.

 

[OrangeTJ]

You don't have to use Yamalube. Look in the manual, though, to ensure that you're using an appropriate service grade as well as weight & viscosity.

 

[BigN8]

Castrol GTX here. And get ready for an oil debate! That will lead into an oil filter debate!!

Basically I don't think it's super critical, what kind of oil you use because we only average about 50 hours per season on the engines. I believe the MOST critical part of an oil change is WHEN you change the oil. I firmly believe you should do it at the end of the season so fresh oil is coating your parts over the Winter hibernation.

 

[Gym]

I agree with @BigN8 when he states that most of us only put on 50 or so hours a season so oil brand is not critical as long as it meets manufacture's specs. I just transitioned from Mobil-1 10w30 full synthetic to regular Mobil 10w40 dino oil. Just an experiment for the next upcoming season to see if it slows or stops the slight pan drip I get from the port side motor. I've read that synthetic oil may not properly wet the gaskets causing them to dry and leak. We'll see.

 

[scot71]

I use Valvoline Max Life, it's a synthetic blend. I've used Valvoline for years in all my stuff and it has always worked well for me.

I think these days. All the major brends are made to such a high standard that you really can't go wrong with any of them.

 

[Noko]

I buy the oil recommended in the manual and filter from the local auto dealer. The filters, spark plugs are all for sale cheaper at a auto parts store. Yamaha doesn't make their own lubricants and you are just paying for the label. The 1.8L motors are used in wave runners and get much more abuse than our boats. I'd just go with what you can get at the local store and do regular oil changes like any other vehicle that you take care of. I plan on keeping my boat for 10yrs or more but I'm not going to put extra money into the basics like oil. I will treat my boat like any other vehicle that I want to keep running and check on the oil and whatever other parts might be going bad. A simple look at the dipstick will give you a pretty good idea if you need a change. How many outboards have sat for years outside and still run and I'm wondering if a lot of motors just sit and still turn over and run ever after years of sitting. I know that people are conservative here but I think these motors, at least the 1.8L will run for a long time with just a basic oil change.

 

[JWPrendergast]

Good info here

 

[Ronnie]

I bought my boat used with 100 hours on it. The original owner only used yamalube and didn't have any issues. I switched to full synthetic and within the first 100 hours of my use both engines developed problems with the oil coolers, one was cracked the other warped, both were leaking and replaced under warranty. I've since switched back to yamalube. I'm not saying the synthetic oil caused my problems but just to be safe I'm sticking with yamalube, at least for my boat. My '06 wave runners will continue to get Mobil 1 full synthetic, which is cheaper at cost co than yamalube is at the dealer by the way.

 

[buckbuck]

I have been influenced by the lab that tests my oil. So I use the store brand that is cheapest. http://www.blackstone-labs.com/Newsletters/Gas-Diesel/July-1-2014.php

 

[scokill]

I bought my boat used with 100 hours on it. The original owner only used yamalube and didn't have any issues. I switched to full synthetic and within the first 100 hours of my use both engines developed problems with the oil coolers, one was cracked the other warped, both were leaking and replaced under warranty. I've since switched back to yamalube. I'm not saying the synthetic oil caused my problems but just to be safe I'm sticking with yamalube, at least for my boat. My '06 wave runners will continue to get Mobil 1 full synthetic, which is cheaper at cost co than yamalube is at the dealer by the way.

Do folks that had the oil cooler issue with Yamalube switch to another brand of oil to be safe?