Quote:
Originally Posted by HomeWood
Could be. It's not uncommon. I think Quicksilver is just a re-labeled big brand. I can't remember what the guy at a marina told me about it a long time ago. I used Quicksilver in a 60hp Mercury with no issues.
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Big difference here. Quicksilver is a "generic" version of Mercury's factory oil. It is slightly less expensive - however it is the only oil that is recognized by Mercury as a substitute for factory branded oil and will NOT void their factory warranty of used. Far as I have been able to research it is made to the same exact specifications.
Walmart branded oil is not recognized as a substitute to any factory oil by any manufacturer and for good reason (not because it's cheaper to buy)
It is manufactured by Warren Oil Co, who manufactures oil under their own brand name as well as making lubrication products under various "house brands". Just a random tidbit of information for those who were curious. They make the whole supertech line of lubricants.
Why is it so cheap? Well like anything, you get what you pay for. While it may meet whatever standards that are stamped on the bottle that is only half the story. Let's take the TC-W3 standard for marine engines. It validates lubrication qualities and general performance over a 100 hour bench test in a lab certified by the NMMA. It does not consider the formulation that is used in various oils which contributes the cost spread. So while Walmart oil may be adequate to pass a bench test and meet a standard in a controlled environment, is it formulated with the additives that other more expensive oils have which aid in a cleaner burn, breakdown, or gummy build up over time, or how about the all important corrosion protection in harsh conditions?
Does it make a difference? Well some manufacturers are specially formulating their oil for a specific application. I have a friend of mine that royally screwed up his Evinrude E-Tec trying to save a buck or two on oil. After a trip to the shop and couple hundred bucks later to clean the mess that oil made of his motor, he learned his lesson. I don't screw around with cheap oil, it costs me about 35 bucks for good quality 2 cycle oil and over the course of a season I'll blow through 2 gallons on average. Am I going to sweat the cost difference? Nope.
Other opinons may vary...