Oil change ...

[karlfdburg]

Does anyone have any experience/recommendations on a substitute for Evinrude/Johnson ultra 4-Stroke synthetic blend oil? My 2004 Johnson 90HP 4-stroke is due for a change and I would like to hear about some options. The Evinrude/Johnson oil is getting difficult to find and is expensive.

I've heard that a high-quality automotive synthetic blend works just as well. What say you expereinced folks?

Thanks!
Davie

[Simple Man]

I was told to stay with a marine formulation because they contain more and different anti-corrosion additives than automotive synthetics. Outside of the additives package, the base oils are the same I'm sure but additives are really the difference in most any oil.

[Juan]

There are a LOT of opinions on this subject....What Simple Man said... I'd stick with a marine grade oil...My Yamaha calls for YamaLube but like you said, that stuff is expensive and Yamaha doesn't make an oil so some oil company produces it. I've been using West Marine oil for years and it works great(and a LOT cheaper)..
I know people who are using automotive grade oil in their outboard and have never had any issues but I like to play it safe.. IMO if you change the oil regularly as required, you can probably use just about any oil as long as you stick with the recommended viscosity.

[qlake]

I'm with Juan on using West Marine's oil in my Yamahas.

[karlfdburg]

Thank you for the opinions/advice. I'll look into the West Marine oil. My motor calls for 10W40 or 10W50 so I've got to make sure I get the correct one.