quote:
Originally posted by MolaKule:
Vetteman is correct. The Marine Lower Gear lube has a slightly different additive package, with more anti-rust, anti-corrosion addtives, somewhat less EP additives.
I think it's time for some clarity here on marine applications on gear oils vers gl4/ gl5 and so forth.
The difference between a gl4 and gl5 gear oil is the rate of ep additive used between the two. The reason behind this is not because the ep will cause problems with the metals but it will not provide proper lockup for some clutch systems that are used.
In the case of an outboard lower unit, this is a direct drive to what I know, it locks into a gear and has no clutches.
Ok, marine gear oil vers standard gear oil.. differences are none. Like many marketing tactics used by many companies, many products are exactly the same but just relabled. Just like our 131 neutra and our 292 purge is the same but yet very different packaging and td sheets.
Now, lets look at the 267 which has been advised by many as not a good choice but in my opinon is incorrect and I do have many using it for just that.
1. Enhanced thermal and oxidation stability and durability to handle operating temperatures of 300°F to 350°F.
2. Excellent extreme pressure properties to protect the gears and bearings from excessive wear and fatigue.
3. Prevention of the formulation of sludge and carbon deposits that can erode seals.
4. Excellent seal compatibility.
5. Enhanced protection of copper, brass and bronze components from corrosion.
6. Non-corrosivity to brass, bronze and other non ferrous metal parts.
7.
Excellent protection of components from rust and corrosion in dry conditions and in the presence of moisture.
8.
Excellent resistance to water and moisture.
9.
Excellent water separability characteristics.
10.Enhanced gear, bearing and seal cleanliness.
11.
Excellent resistance to foaming.
Now, those items in bold are very essential in a good lower unit boat gear oil.
Now I'm not trying to pick on amsoil and their marine gear oil but since I have a bottle of that from a local rep that brought it over here and wanted to see some comparisons, I'll tell you the results.
I encourage any and all of you to try this that have some of the 267 gear oil as well.
He was showing me how the water seperates from the oil after shaking up the bottle of amsoil marine lube. So, he and I took fresh samples of each, 267 and amsoil full synth marine gear oil, put water in each tube, shook, then watched. The 267, seperated from the water in secs, the full synth took several min's. The amsoil did eventually seperate and given that, I think that was good in comparison to some "top of the line" gear oils.
The other thing was on the top of the lubricant where you can plainly see bubbles, amsoil loaded with them, again, 267 was very little. So, with bubbles, this is trapped air which produces no lubrication which produces heat.
We then took and put both into bowls, took egg beaters, spun them quickly to see if the oil would climb, amsoil didn't like all others I have tested, whereas the 267 pulled up onto the egg beaters. This point is to show that 267 contains adhesive-cohesive additives that allows the gear oil to tenaciously stick and cling to the gears and bearings. This ensures the gear lube to retain a fine film that “stays put” on the metal surface of the gears and bearings but also allows it to climb up in slow speeds to get to the parts whereas most rely on the slinging action of a gear to get parts above the oil line lubricated.
This is extemly important when we are talking about slower moving gears in big equipment or tractors and such as well as in this application.
I myself would and do use the 267 gear oil in the lower units of a boat motor, no hesitation on my part and I will shortly see about setting up a pic page on the gear oil test I descibed above.