2024 Suzuki twin 250AP's

[DUB96]

Okay here goes..
So brand new engines and I have read a ton about FC-W, some say it's just marketing and some say it is the real deal and you must stick with it...?
I also read a ton of people using 15W-40 diesel oil (Rotella T5). My question: Is this advisable? Are there newer emissions equipment in these new engines that would make this non-viable? My manual calls for 10W-40 FC-W and let's face it, Suzuki oil is expensive! I also don't want to save a few dollars and run the risk of hurting 60K worth of outboards. Thank you!

 

[kschachn]

A few previous threads that may be of interest.

If that were my brand new expensive marine engine I'd use a marine oil with the proper license/specification. But maybe that's just me.

I

Thread 'Johnson Suzuki 225 4-stroke Engine Oil?'

May 13, 2020

New to boat maintenance so I knew to come here first for the engine oil.
Here is the suzuki spec:
Quote
Suzuki oil meets the National Marine Manufacturer Association (NMMA) Four Cycle Water Cooled (FC-W) standards. The actual oil recommendation is: SAE or NMMA FC-W 10W-40 (operating in temps from 14 degrees to over 100 degrees F) or 10W-30 (operating in temps from -4 degrees to 86 degrees F) API or NMMA FC-W Classification SE,SF,SG,SJ. For temps below -15 degrees F use SAE or NMMA FC-W 5W-30.


I'm seeing some discussion about Diesel oil. Any recommendations there? I'm in the...

• ItsMeHank
• Replies: 10
• Forum: Boat/PWC Lubrication

J

Thread 'Marine engine oil vs automotive and diesel oil'

Apr 11, 2018

I was wondering if regular automotive engine oil, or diesel/heavy duty engine oil would work in a marine application.

The engine in question is a Suzuki DF140. The Suzuki oil is really expensive (like $9/quart for the old stuff and about $10 or $11 a quart for the new Ecstar stuff local to me), which seems expensive, especially for a 10W-40 synthetic blend. Not only is it expensive, the Suzuki dealer is pretty far from where I am located and inconvenient unless I need anything major done.

Would a quality SN rated automotive oil be ok to use? Preferably Mobil1 or Pennzoil Platinum or...

• Jack2468
• Replies: 26
• Forum: Boat/PWC Lubrication

S

Thread '4 stroke synthetics'

Feb 13, 2006

I'm about to buy a 2006 Yamaha 150hp 4 stroke motor. IIRC it calls for a 10w-30. Would it be appropriate to run a synthetic oil in it? What would you reccomend?

• Stewart Fan
• Replies: 21
• Forum: Boat/PWC Lubrication

M

Thread 'cheaper FC-W oil'

Nov 8, 2016

I service my cousins Yamaha 60 hp 4 stroke, and we were both saying that Yamalube 10W30 seems expensive, at $10 a quart. Do they have any FC-W rated 10W30 and 10W40 oils out there a little bit cheaper? $10 a quart for non synthetic is a tad bit expensive. The motor is 10 years old with only 98 hrs, but I'd still like to use the proper oil, my cousin knows nothing about engines, so he expects and trusts me to use the right stuff.

• mobilaltima
• Replies: 29
• Forum: Boat/PWC Lubrication

M

Thread 'cheaper FC-W oil'

Nov 8, 2016

I service my cousins Yamaha 60 hp 4 stroke, and we were both saying that Yamalube 10W30 seems expensive, at $10 a quart. Do they have any FC-W rated 10W30 and 10W40 oils out there a little bit cheaper? $10 a quart for non synthetic is a tad bit expensive. The motor is 10 years old with only 98 hrs, but I'd still like to use the proper oil, my cousin knows nothing about engines, so he expects and trusts me to use the right stuff.

• mobilaltima
• Replies: 29
• Forum: Boat/PWC Lubrication

 

[Snagglefoot]

Hmm, the 250 AP is a dual overhead cam 24 valve engine that runs at 5500-6100 rpm. I take it you are comparing to Suzuki V7000 semi-synthetic FCW approved 10w40. Why not calculate your total proposed engine oil cost and compare it to your total $60,000 engine cost. Seems like a no brainer to me.

The FCW specs are real. Foaming resistance is one of important parameters. Unless the diesel oil you are thinking of using has FCW specs, I would not bother to go that route.

 

[DUB96]

Yes, that is the oil that Suzuki says to use and they also state to use their brand of oil. This boils down to basically 4.25 gallons, twice a year for me. I can buy this oil for anywhere from $36-$40 per gallon and it is a mail order every time. Would be nice to buy oil locally and at a cheaper price. Ive also seen that I can get Ultra1plus 10w-40 FC-W in 5 gallons pales for $20.00 per gallon... Don't know anything about that oil.

 

[kschachn]

Yes, that is the oil that Suzuki says to use and they also state to use their brand of oil. This boils down to basically 4.25 gallons, twice a year for me. I can buy this oil for anywhere from $36-$40 per gallon and it is a mail order every time. Would be nice to buy oil locally and at a cheaper price. Ive also seen that I can get Ultra1plus 10w-40 FC-W in 5 gallons pales for $20.00 per gallon... Don't know anything about that oil.

You can find a list of FC-W registered oils here:

https://www.nmma.org/certification/oil/fc-w

 

[Dutchy491]

My manual calls for 10W-40 FC-W and let's face it, Suzuki oil is expensive

I hope that you dickered hard with the salesman and got a good discount on the purchase price of your new motors. I’m thinking that you didn’t get far, and now have to save on the cost of oil to be able to afford them….
If it were me….I’d use an oil that meets/exceeds the specifications required, as listed in the owners manual. I can’t imagine that replacing a cam after the warranty is expired would be cheaper than a few extra bucks a year for a premium oil. Doesn’t have to be OEM oil though, but an oil with a good reputation. Amsoil comes to mind.
At resale time you would have an easy time convincing a buyer that you took the best care possible.
I hope that you understand that a boat motor works hard for EVERY minute of operation?! When you excellerate your Mercedes you ease up on the throttle once you get up to speed. Can’t coast your boat the same way…..

 

[DUB96]

Let us assume that I paid way too much for the motors (beside the point), they were attached to a 30' offshore platform and the price wasn't broken down, so we will never know for sure...

The point is/was can I get the same protection in an over the shelf, readily available oil and save money to boot? I have read a lot about the different oils and I see where people are touting diesel oil because it actually has a better additive package than the FC-W. Looking for people that know oil, that's why I came here.

 

[kschachn]

Let us assume that I paid way too much for the motors (beside the point), they were attached to a 30' offshore platform and the price wasn't broken down, so we will never know for sure...

The point is/was can I get the same protection in an over the shelf, readily available oil and save money to boot? I have read a lot about the different oils and I see where people are touting diesel oil because it actually has a better additive package than the FC-W. Looking for people that know oil, that's why I came here.

Give it a try and report back. If no one can answer your question in this thread then you’ll be the one who can in the future.

 

[Dutchy491]

It’s so difficult to take this guy seriously when he says “ brand new”….”$60k engines” in his opening post, then later says that they came attached already. So now they’re likely to have some hours on them, unknown maintenance and unknown warranty remaining.
Unless I’m missing something