DFI oil for an Optimax - necessary???

[archie720]

After spending most of last Saturday trying to obtain some Quicksilver DFI oil for my Mercury 115 Optimax i was looking at the label on the normal Quicksilver 2-stoke oil which says it can be used on DFI and high performance engines. I was warned however when i purchased the engine that i should only use DFI oil and not normal 2-stroke oil due to the reduced mix quota and higher operating temperatures of an Optimax over a conventional two stroke.

Does anyone know if you can therefore use Quicksilver 2 stroke oil in an Optimax either just in an emergency (i.e. long term use may cause damage but short term use is fine) or full time.

I was also amazed that every chandlers and marine filling station i asked at looked at me like i was speaking Martian when i asked if they had any DFI oil. Even Alladins Cave where i obtained it in the end were unaware they stocked it and most chandlers did not even know what DFI meant?? I am aware that it used to say Optimax on the label instead of DFI but given the popularity of the Optimax i was quite unnerved.

Is there a holy grail where optimax owners purchase their DFI oil as clearly one cannot take the boat on a trip and expect fresh supplies to be readily available!

[danny]

I always buy per 48 liters and pay around 27 euro's for 4 liters.
I always store arround 3 to 4 cans in the boat as I have founf the same problem as you have.
Only a few have this oil on stock.

I have asked two serious Mercurymechanics the same question as you did about using what oil and they realy reccomend the DFI oil especialy for Optimaxes.

[Hugh Jardon]

some places still sell the "optimax" labled oil, ie ron hale marine nr portsmouth and pacer marine near Farnham, however the oil at pacer seems to be 7-8 quid more a large bottle!!! Ross charges arount 22 quid and Pacers nearer 30 quid

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by archie720

I was warned however when i purchased the engine that i should only use DFI oil and not normal 2-stroke oil due to the reduced mix quota and higher operating temperatures of an Optimax over a conventional two stroke.

Does anyone know if you can therefore use Quicksilver 2 stroke oil in an Optimax either just in an emergency (i.e. long term use may cause damage but short term use is fine) or full time.

The heart of the Opti is the high pressure oil pump that's meant to be using the thinner oil. They cost about 800 kwid to replace and I'd bet they not honour the warranty if they found ordinary 2 stroke or tcw3 in the pump. (it's fairly easy to spot as it's a very different colour)

The Opti engine doesn't use an awful lot of oil and it is available just not where you looked on Saturday. I'll get some bottles into the unit for you by next weekend

[Ribshop]

We will do the 4lt bottles of Optimax braded oil for £18inc vat if you buy two or more bottles when you mention Rib-net.

[Hugh Jardon]

Originally Posted by Ribshop

We will do the 4lt bottles of Optimax braded oil for £18inc vat if you buy two or more bottles when you mention Rib-net.

is that the quicksilver optimax oil? if so i will call in when i am next in your area to see the shop, say hi and get some oilywoily

[Ribshop]

It is the Quicksilver Optimax oil. We also do the Rock Oil version that is just as good fro when the engine is out of warrantee. I know that the new EU law Bla bla bla but I personally I would not want the argument for the sake of saving a few quid on oil.

We are based in Eastlands Boat Yard, Coal Park Lane, just off Swanwick Lane. Between junction 8 & 9 off the M27

[codprawn]

I decided to send an email to Mercury to see what they had to say on the matter!!! Straight from the horses mouth so to speak!!!

"The optimax is a particular engine that uses a direct injection and also an
electric oil pump to lubricate it.
Mercury dfi oil is the only oil specially designed for those new generation
two stroke engines.

The Optimax can run with a tcw3 + without problem but you won't get all the
benefit of the optimax technology, in terms of consumption and emission.
The spark plug will need to be checked more often; generally we allow using
this type of oil only in some countries where you can't find DFI oil.
Ask your local distributor regarding the warranty policy, he will inform
you in details"

In other words - of course TCW3 oils are suitable but we can't say so as we make a fortune out of guillable outboard owners!!!

[Ribshop]

Have to say I was involved with running 10 X 150hp opti’s all running on standard quicksilver TCW3 and the only problems that the oil caused was for the float senders to get stuck now and again.

[Jeff]

I think Merc specify "premium plus" as an alternative to Opti if this is not available ...... not "std" premium.
Given the low useage and the price difference between the two, I have opted for the DFI oil ........... expensive engine and the gold stuff smells nicely disgusting
A commercial operator I spoke to in South Wales had been running premium plus for two years with no problems, but its mostly fast/ WOT trips around the bay ........... with a bit more trolling as I do I "believe" that the DFI oil helps prevent plug fouling ??
Whatever .... its the buyers choice I guess
Jeff