Z6 115 Optimax Pro XS

[Deadeye]

Hello all, been reading on here for over a year and just joined.

I'm looking at getting a Z6 with the 115 Pro XS this fall and I wondered if any of you that have one might be able to answer a few questions.

1) Oil Use. Do you use the reccomended OptiMax Oil ($40+ per Gal) or Regular Quicksilver? How often do you find that you need to refill the oil reserve? Example: Each tank fill up, every other, ETC.

2) Fuel use. Do you use the reccomended 87 or a higher octain? How many average days of fishing/running do you find you get on a tank full, with say 6-8 hrs of combined fishing/running?

Lastly I would like the option of going with the Mercury 155 4-Stroke, but BPS won't offer it. Has anyone been able to get different options (Motor, TM, Electronics, Etc that Tracker Marine doesn't offer as option) by using a Nitro Dealer that is an independant?

Thanks in advance.

[RushFan]

I would check the owners manual.  Go by the "book" will keep you in the clear should you have a warranty issue.

[Nitro_fisher84]

I just got a 99 nx882 with a 150 opti and ive learned if u dont wamt the motor to fail and cost alot to fix use only opti oil.

[Nitro_fisher84]

Uve got a good size resevoir. Its not bad nut it depends how much fishin to motoring around you do. As fsr as the fuel octane goes ive always been brought up to use premium in all marine applications, but would like to knlw if its a good idea with these big motors

[Deadeye]

Well according to the Mercury site and all the literature I've been able to find on it, they Rate it as using 87 Octane with no more than 10% Ethanol.

I have always heard/been taught to use the highest octane available. My 1996 Evinrude 40 says you can use 87, but it runs a whole lot better with less issues when I use 91-93.

Speaking of the old Evinrude, it ran on a 50/1 mix, not sure what ratio these newer DFI Engines use. If they use simular, then with it's 6 Quart Oil Tank the 115 should be able to run on about 72 Gallons or 3 1/2 tanks at 21 Gallons per tank.

I know, I know does it really matter? Well Enquring minds want to know........

[Nitro_fisher84]

 These motors r variable rate oiling. Vro. It has a resevoir on the motor which draws from the  tank at the rear of boat next to fuel tank. U fill er up around 5 gallons should get ya yah 3 to4 full tanks. But really if ur fishin hard u only use motor for about 30 min tops. But gas does go stale in 3 months. Best not to fill and hope to use it.

[Deadeye]

On the bigger motors I believe you are correct about the two oil tanks, as I saw them with the 150 on the Z7. But on the Z6 I didn't see a second tank in the boat, just the one on the motor.

Read in a thread on another forum that they guy claimed he ran 20-30 miles a day for 4 days at WOT and only used about 6 1/2 gallons of gas. Same boat and motor.

If that is so, I would be delighted.

[Brudd]

Read in a thread on another forum that they guy claimed he ran 20-30 miles a day for 4 days at WOT and only used about 6 1/2 gallons of gas. Same boat and motor.

If that is so, I would be delighted.

No way. Even if it was only 20 miles a day that works out to a little better that 12 mpg. A quick review of Mercury's test docs shows the best WOT MPG is less than 5 MPG. I'm sure he over estimated the miles and underestimated the fuel usage.  Or maybe he meant he used that much a day.

[Ron Fogelson]

No way. Even if it was only 20 miles a day that works out to a little better that 12 mpg. A quick review of Mercury's test docs shows the best WOT MPG is less than 5 MPG. I'm sure he over estimated the miles and underestimated the fuel usage.  Or maybe he meant he used that much a day.

Yep I figured it up last night as well, like you said over 12mpg,,,,, to avoid out right calling the BS flag I'd say he was way over on his estimated miles or like you said Brudd maybe he was burning 6+ gal a day 

[Deadeye]

I agree that sounds more realistic. Most people do over estimate how much/far they run and even if you do run 20-30 miles all of it is usually not on WOT.

More likely he meant 6 1/2 gallons a day.

[jitterbugman2]

I have the Pro xs 115 2013 year on a 19 ft VT 19. Only run the optimax (dfi)oil bout 32-36 dollars a gallon where I buy it. Tank for mine is under the cowling, holds a gallon. I have a 20 gallon fuel tank, oil will last between 3 to 4 tanks, depending on how often you run full throttle. Motor also a low oil warning tone . First 10 hours will double oil.
Tank of gas lasts me for about 3 trips. I burn about 5 to 7 gallons per trip. I also run 87 octane, but treat my gas with stay built and mercury gas additives.

[DaytonMPorter]

quicksilver is a mercury product, as long as you run the correct grade it will not void warranty.
if it is a fuel injected motor u can run premium grade, if it is a high pressure direct injection you myst run quicksilver DFI