The Good Oil

[beatle]

Recently changed the engine oil in my Honda 40hp 4st. I read in the manual that the oil to be used was Sae 5w-30 . I went to the local Honda dealer and picked up a new filter and the oil. I noticed the oil he gave me was marked 10 w 40 when I told him it was not the same as that reccomended in the manual he gave me an explanation about viscosity and temperature and said they used it in all their motors, the oil is Shell Nautilis for 4st o.b's. I still had a little doubt . Could anyone help???-Beatle

[NQCairns]

Mate the 5w oil is a rip, in these days of fuel economy, emission control and max figures the manufacturers opt for the light oil because by the time an engine running this stuff starts to have related problems it is a far and awayway out of warrenty and no longer their concern (except to sell parts), if you have a vehicle that specifies it also -go up a grade! He is spot on! glad you have a thinking dealer, he would see more dollars in the future if he just sat on the recommendation. You dont live and boat in tassy in the winter by any chance?nq

[beatle]

NQcairns-Thanks for the reply I feel a bit better now. No I live on the Tweed in the far north of N.S.W.-Beatle

[435_Mark]

Hey nq, Any thoughts on the right oil for a 50hp Yam 4stroke? I run the yamy oil which is a 10w-30. Did have a couple of problems with low oil pressure in NT earlier this year but fixed the problem by not running premium fuel. With the standard fuel I've had no more problems.

Cheers,

Mark

[Big_Kev]

5w/30 is normaly oil used for cold climate. As in Japan.
The 10w/40 would be what is recomended for most of the Australian climate, unless as NQ said you live in Tassie.
Are you sure the manual does not have a chart for the oil to use in different ambient temperatures?
I think your dealer is steering you in the right direction Beatle.

[beatle]

Thanks Reel Hard I just checked with the manual again and could not find much info on the oil it is very basic. Am happy with advice given by yourself and NQcairns.-Beatle

[Spaniard_King]

Beatle,

your engine should be running an 10w-30 SJ oil.

The key here is the "SJ" grade of oil, the weight of the oil should reflect the conditions of service as NQ has stated.

Here is a tip for ya. Honda gets there oil from caltex [smiley=oops.gif]

Garry

[Spaniard_King]

Hey nq, Any thoughts on the right oil for a 50hp Yam 4stroke? I run the yamy oil which is a 10w-30. Did have a couple of problems with low oil pressure in NT earlier this year but fixed the problem by not running premium fuel. With the standard fuel I've had no more problems.

Cheers,

Mark

Mark,

Were the low oil problems occuring at idle speed or underway??

Garry

[435_Mark]

Garry,
Problem would occur after a 30minute run down the McArthur River. We would pull up to cast at a drain for Barra and when I went to start her again the low oil horn would go off. In the heat it would take about 2 hours before I could start her again without a problem (Very, very frustrating!). Did this for 2 days and then got around it by not turning her off. Funnily enough it would only happen in the mornings. You could stop on the way home without a problem. Like I said I haven't had a problem since going back to unleaded instead of premium. I put it down to the motor running slightly hotter with the premium and when we pulled up the water would drain out of the block letting the oil heat up just a little bit to much.

Mark

[Dignity]

I used to run a suzi and found that if I ran PULP I had to use a different spark plug - the plugs had a range after the series no eg - 8, - 9 or -10 which was the recommended gap. Basically they were hot, cool, cooler (or it could be the other way around. I suggest you have a mechanic look at the plugs, usually the colour of the post indicates whether you need to change plugs for a hotter or cooler running plug. I found it made a lot of difference to my motor.