Oil, Lubes, Grease

Oil, Lubes, Grease for Outboard Engines - Resources & Information

Marine lubricants are special types of lubricating oils and greases that are specifically formulated for use in marine environments. They are designed to withstand the harsh conditions found in marine environments, such as saltwater, high humidity, and extreme temperatures. A marine lubricant typically contain special additives that help them to resist water washout and protect against corrosion, making them suitable for use in applications where regular lubricants might break down or become ineffective.

Marine lubricants are used in a variety of applications on boats and other marine vessels, including engines, gearboxes, steering systems, and other mechanical components. 

PartsVu offers a complete selection of Oil, Lubes, & Grease from OEM manufacturers and trusted aftermarket suppliers. Whether you need a marine grease gun, grease multipacks, bulk lower unit lube, and more, PartsVu has what you need to get the job done. 

Need help servicing your outboard engine? PartsVu regularly publishes helpful how-to guides and other valuable maintenance information to help boaters service their outboard engines. Browse PartsVu Xchange, our outboard maintenance blog, for a wide range of relevant topics, and see the FAQ section below, covering everything you need to know about maintaining your boat in confidence.

Oil, Lubes, and Grease FAQ

What's the difference between marine grease vs regular grease?

Marine grease is a type of lubricating grease that is specifically designed for use in marine environments. It is formulated to withstand the harsh conditions found in marine environments, such as saltwater, high humidity, and extreme temperatures. Marine grease typically contains special additives that help it to resist water washout and protect against corrosion, making it a suitable water resistant grease for use in applications where regular grease might break down or become ineffective.

Regular grease is a general-purpose lubricating grease that is not specifically formulated for use in marine environments. It may not contain the same additives as marine grease and may not be as resistant to water washout or corrosion. Regular grease may be suitable for use in certain applications on a boat, but it is important to consider the specific requirements of the application and choose a grease that is appropriate for the environment in which it will be used.

In general, it is recommended to use water proof grease in marine environments, as it is specifically designed to withstand the harsh conditions found in these environments. However, it is always important to follow the manufacturer's recommendations and use the appropriate grease for the specific application.

What's the difference between teflon grease vs lithium grease?

Teflon grease and lithium grease are both types of lubricating grease that are used for a variety of applications. However, they are formulated differently and have different properties, making them more suitable for certain types of applications.

Teflon grease is a type of lubricating grease that contains Teflon, a type of fluoropolymer. Teflon grease is known for its low friction properties and ability to resist heat and wear. It is often used in applications where low friction and high temperature resistance are important, such as in automotive and aerospace applications. Teflon grease is also resistant to water washout and has a wide temperature range, making it suitable for use in a variety of environments.

Lithium grease is a type of lubricating grease that is made from a thickener base of lithium soap. It is known for its ability to withstand high loads and resist water washout. Lithium grease is often used in heavy-duty applications, such as in automotive and industrial equipment. It has a higher melting point than some other types of grease and can withstand higher temperatures, making it suitable for use in high-temperature environments.

In general, Teflon grease is best suited for applications where low friction and high temperature resistance are important, while lithium grease is best suited for heavy-duty applications and high-temperature environments. It is important to consider the specific requirements of the application and choose the appropriate grease for the job.

How often should I grease my Suzuki outboard grease points?

You must grease all points at regular service intervals—minimally, annually. Saltwater boaters need to lubricate much more frequently as saltwater breaks down grease, and saltwater on non lubricated surfaces causes a great deal of damage.

Refer to your owner’s manual to locate all the grease fittings on your specific engine. Most will be easy to find, but a couple are likely tucked away and are not quite as visible. While you must familiarize yourself with the grease fittings on your specific engine, common grease fitting points include:

• Steering friction adjustment shaft (tiller handle models) 
• Swivel bracket
• Tilt tube
• Steering cable grease fitting

To add grease, first wipe off the grease fitting before attaching the grease gun nozzle to avoid pumping dirt and debris into the grease point. Also, you may have to remove rust and other debris clogging/blocking grease fittings. 

Pump grease into the fitting until grease begins oozing out of the exit points of the area being greased. The old grease will be pushed out as it is being dislocated by the new grease. Wipe off the old grease with your rag.

When a given grease point is full, leave a bit of grease on top of the grease fitting to keep rust and other debris from accumulating. Wipe off any excess grease with your rag, then move to the next grease fitting.

While not needed for all scenarios, it is worth noting that Suzuki Water-Resistant Grease is formulated for high temperature and high load applications.

How do I service my Suzuki outboard lower unit? 

Suzuki lower unit gear lube is drained by removing the lower drain screw first and then the upper plug vent to allow air in. On most models, both plugs are clearly visible on the lower unit, but on models with low water pickups, the forward pickup will need to be removed to access the drain plug. 

Have a drain pan and extra rags handy as the gear lube will begin running down the skeg as soon as you remove the upper vent plug. Be sure to collect the fiber gaskets from both plugs after removal, as these are not reusable and should be discarded.

Use a properly sized screwdriver assisted by a wrench if necessary to loosen these screws which should be pretty tight. An impact driver and hammer may be needed depending on who serviced your engine last. The drain screw has a magnetic tip, so inspect the plug after removal to see if heavy deposits exist. Some fine shavings are normal, but chunks or a large quantity of metal are cause for further inspection. 

upper vent plug

lower unit gear lube 

What absorbs motor oil?

There are several materials that can be used to absorb motor oil, including:

1. Oil absorbent pads, absorbent mats for oil, and rolls: Oil absorbant pads are made from materials like polypropylene or cellulose, which are highly absorbent and can quickly soak up oil spills.
2. Clay-based absorbents: These are made from bentonite clay, which is highly absorbent and can effectively soak up oil spills.
3. Oil-only absorbents: These are made from materials that are specifically designed to absorb oil and other petroleum-based substances, but not water. They are often used in marine environments to prevent oil spills from contaminating the water.
4. Boom barriers: These are floating barriers that are used to contain and absorb oil spills in bodies of water. They are made from materials like polypropylene or polyurethane, which are highly absorbent and can effectively soak up oil.
5. Sorbent socks: These are long, tube-shaped absorbents that can be placed around oil spills to contain and absorb them. They are made from materials like polypropylene or cellulose, which are highly absorbent and can quickly soak up oil.

It's important to use the right type of absorbent material for the specific type of spill you are dealing with. For example, oil only absorbent pads may not be effective for certain types of spills that other sorbents are designed for.

Can I use automotive engine oil in my Suzuki outboard engine? 

No, it’s highly recommended that you DO NOT use automotive engine oil in your Suzuki outboard engine at all. 

While many boat owners wonder about using automobile oil they have laying around in their garage, the short answer is that 2-stroke outboard motors and 4-stroke outboard motors are vastly different than your automotive engine. Because marine engines operate in close proximity to water, marine oil is designed to withstand some water infiltration and perform under different tolerances. 

Can I use lower unit gear oil and marine oil interchangeably?

It is generally not recommended to use lower unit oil and marine oil interchangeably, as they are formulated for different applications and may not have the same properties.

Lower unit gear oil is a type of lubricating oil that is specifically formulated for use in the lower unit of an outboard motor. It is designed to withstand the high loads and extreme temperatures found in this application and is typically fortified with special additives to help protect against wear and corrosion.

Marine oil is a general term that refers to a variety of lubricating oils that are suitable for use in marine environments. These oils may be formulated for use in engines, gearboxes, or other mechanical components and may have different properties and requirements depending on the specific application.

It is important to use the correct type of lubricant for the specific application to ensure proper performance and protection of the mechanical components. Using the wrong type of lubricant or failing to maintain proper lubrication can lead to premature wear and failure of the components, which can be costly and potentially dangerous. It is always best to follow the manufacturer's recommendations and use the appropriate lubricant for the specific application.

Which guides should I read to learn more about marine lubes, marine oils, and marine grease?

For novice boaters, PartsVu offers a comprehensive collection of guides for marine lube, including how often you should maintain your particular model of outboard, best-practices, and plenty of product links to point you towards everything you need to work on your boat in confidence. Start with the following articles and use the search bar in the PartsVu Xchange for more specific topics:

Oil Maintenance

• Yamaha 2-Stroke Oil Maintenance – 100-Hour Service
• Yamaha 4-Stroke Oil Change – 100-Hour Service
• Genuine Yamaha Outboard Oil Change Kits Are Critically Important
• What’s the Value of Engine Oil Analysis?
• Blackstone Oil Analysis
• Mercruiser Oil Change In 8 Easy Steps
• Mercury 2-Stroke Oil Change – 100-hour Service
• Mercury 4-Stroke Oil Change – 100-hour Service

Gear Lubes

• Guide to Mercury Marine Precision Oils & Lubricants
• 5 Reasons To Get a Yamaha Marine Gear Lube Kit

Marine Grease

• Mercury Outboard Grease Points – Here’s How
• Yamaha Outboard Grease Points – Here’s How
• Mercury 2-Stroke Grease Points – 100-Hour Service
• Yamaha Grease Points – 100-Hour Service
• Mercury Grease Points – 4-Stroke 100-Hour Service
• Guide to Yamaha Marine Grease