I just heard from a factory rep at Bombardier that if DFI engines are being run at below freezing temps, make sure you are running BIO-OIL. Ficht, and Merc, and Yamaha DFI oils may still be too thick below freezing. BIO-OIL will not. Watch your dash for “Check Engine” lights. If you see that come on, it may mean you are not getting oil to your motor.
Tuck
Great info. What is BIO-OIL and where do you get it?
I’m not running my Ficht this time of year but will be in early spring.
It is made by Evinrude, it is a synthetic, I think. I just came back from 61 Marine, and they did not ave any, BUT it is $38 a gallon!!!!
Does anybody know if there is a comparable product out there? I was wondering about Polaris synthetic for sleds???
Tuck
YEP !! AMZOIL. Thought you would never ask ?
Richard (Smitty) 
Keep a tight line !!!
Smitty’s Marine in Lake City has it. A mechanic can tell if you are running another brand oil in your motor a friend of mine found out and he could have violated his warranty by it and if something went wrong with his motor he would have to pay for it to be fixed. Better to stick with the correct oil especially with the newer motors and the fancier motors do require certain stuff in their oil to function properly. Thanks, Bill
Bill, I have to challange your statement. The dealer might not want to repair your unit because you used a aftermarket brand, but if the product meets or exceeds manufactures specs it can not void your warrenty. Federal law dictates. Been thru this many times because I was in retail for many years. If any dealer says a aftermarket product (which meets or exceeds mfg specs) voids your warranty, have them put that statement on paper and sign it and give it to a lawyer with your proof of product use. Those boys like statements like that !!!
Richard (Smitty)
keep a tight line !!!
These comments made were from a Dealer that I don’t do my business with but he , the head mechanic, said that these engines are built around their oil and that the tolerences are so close there is no room for error. I personally wouldn’t run anything but what the outboard motor company says to run in the newer high tech motors. These new motors are too expensive and they do require a special oil. You are not suppose to run the normal TW3 oil them. They have a special oil that is to be used in these motors. For example, Ficht has a special oil for that motor. You don’t run the reg. Johnson oil in a Ficht that I run in my 90hp Johnson motor. Its a different motor that requires a certain oil with certain additives that isn’t in the reg. Johnson oil. Thanks, Bill
Bill, that doesn’t sound right to me. I can understand why an outboard manufacturer would want to box you into buying their brand of oil, but I can’t for the life of me imagine that they would make their engines so specific that they won’t perform as well with others. The main reason is that I wouldn’t think that anyone would buy them.
Think about it. Most boaters aren’t into the technical. They just buy something that looks like it’s right and dump it into the mix resevoir. If I took a $10K outboard back to the shop and they said, “Sorry, you ran the wrong oil, you needed Evinrude model number 99623K” it would be clear as daylight that I wasn’t running the wrong oil – I was running the wrong motor.
No outboard runs forever, and without repeat business, every manufacturer would be toast within a few short years.
Bill your point makes sense, companies don’t want to pay out on their warranties! Most people know that I should hope, but the thing is, is THEY make up their warranties, not any of us, not anybody else in the field, if a company says that you have to have a certain kind of oil in your engine, the by god you better have that oil in your engine unless you want your warranty to be voided, technically the engine is yours, but you better do what the warranty says or when you blow a powerhead or a rod you take it there and they say sorry you weren’t using the oil that the warranty requires, well then you just lost a good investment. Make sure you look at your warranty to see if there is anything like that in there! Being stubborn is not worth ruining a 10,000 dollar investment!
Everyone has a good point. I ran Johnson Oil through a 2000 150 Ficht at a tournament at Big Stone once, and it ran so well, that I continued to use it for the rest of the year. Was it the right thing to do? I don’t know. Ficht oil is a synthetic blend. I am sure that their are viscosity issues that they are concerned with because of the precise oiling needs of all DFI motors, regardless of the brand. I have emailed tech support at Bombardier today, and asked for a quick response, as I am guiding tomorrow. I asked if there were any comparable synthetics out there that may get me out of a bind for the short term. I will post what I hear back…Smitty, I asked my mechanic at 61 Marine about Amzoil, and he advised against it. A pure synthetic may not meet the minimum requirements for proper oiling, this is the reason Ficht oil is a blend in the first place. He said if I was mixing gas and oil in a regular two stroke, that would be different.
Tuck
This is an interesting topic! I know if I’d read it sooner I’d have quickly sided in with richardsmith in that a lawyer would love to hear about someone getting shafted by using a compatable, competitor product.
In cases where a specific blend is needed, I see a case here…………..until the patent dates and the competition clauses set in. I believe it’s illegal in this country to corner a market therefore a manufacturer’s demand for that brand would be in error. They could only demand that grade/property/blend of product be used. For one, not everything is available everywhere. Gianni nailed it. When it comes to marketing, the slightest of inconveniences often leads to poor sales and poor review.
I agree that it’s important to pay attention to what your particular motor needs, but you can’t limit those choices to only one source or brand without running into some trouble.
I haven’t read every warranty written but I know with my motorcycles/ATVs/sleds………..it’s always been stated a certain brand is recommended, but it was always a particular type of oil with this or that ingredient or property that was required.
Tuck.Not a professionals opinion by any means but,I have ran Amzoil in my 25 Mariner,ice-auger and chain-saws for many years and have never had a problem.I like it because one mix fits all.I too have been met with skepticism on using it but,I’ve found that it is because people are not familiar with the product and are skeptical of the unknown.My experience has been that,it is a good product.Mike
I have a 115 Merc. Can I run Synthetic through it in the mix reservoir?
You bet Buddy ! Go to Amzoil.com for more info ! I think the part number is AIO-QT. Great to talk with you on pool 4 today. It was like old home day !!! :grin 
Richard (Smitty)
Keep a tight line !!!
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