motor maintenance

1

1TUBERIDER

New member
Its time to get the motors fluids changed for the season. I have honda 50's and can not locate honda products in town. I have to drive 80 miles to a dealer.

What would you recommend for fluids if your not using the motors name brand
products. We have sierra oils and filter here at the marine supply store. The oils are $9 a quart. Pretty comparable to honda prices.

I am also changing gear fluids. Again no honda products in town and no orings.

Should I drive to get honda products or use something available in town.

Thank you in advance for your comments.

Jeff
 
I would use factory products, oil, filters,etc use the computer/internet, get stuff shipped in via UPS. If you had a local dealer I would say support them but no sense driving 80 miles make that 160 miles unless you get gas for free. I just bought Yamaha gas filters for about half of what dealers are charging on ebay. I bought four for stock. I like to support the local dealers but I want give them everything in our savings account. Some have said there have been issues with non factory oil filters causing motor failures, why take a chance. IMHO
D.D.
 
Honda, Suzuki, Harley-Davidson, ect. branded fluids are good but you are paying a little extra for the name. Most brands fluids that meets or exceeds the manufactures specs will work OK. Brands like Amsoil and Red Line take lubrication to a higher level. Are they worth the extra money? Who knows. When it comes to filters it is harder to determine quality.
I see no need to pay shipping for oils.
 
When I bought my boat in '04, the factory suggested I use Shell brand motor oil and mercury high performance gear lube. I have done so since day one. I imagine there are plenty of good oils out there but I think the Mercury gear lube is worth the $$$. I order all other parts and "fluids" like gasket seal from Brown's Point Marine - all Suzuki brand.
 
I never use factory oils or filters - it's a waste of money for the same rated oils/filters from other brands. For oil I use Rotella, for lower unit I use whatever 90w hypoid gear oil is available whether it's West Marine or other brands.

Also - there was a period there where Suzuki had an incredible shortage of Suzuki oils. It caused me to look elsewhere and save money at the same time.

No worries - will not void warranty.
 
I don't even know (although I think the mechanics are using Yamaha products,) what they do say is that the fluids should be changed in the fall before layup to prevent the old lube (that might have water intrusion) from sitting in the OB over the winter, decreasing the chance for internal rust or corrosion.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
 
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