GL-5,10w30, or straight 30 wt oil?

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SBPD1717

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Sep 25, 2002
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Have 1988 volvo penta model 275 outdrive, clymer manual says to use 10w30 motor oil in this type of drive, drained oil out and found that previous owner put gear oil in (thicker than oil and was light green in color). What should I put back in? Could the gear oil damage anything in the outdrive? used it like this for whole summer no problems.
 
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fredcrn

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Oct 29, 2002
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Re: GL-5,10w30, or straight 30 wt oil?

I can't imagine they mean in the outdrive. I assume they're recommending 10w30 for the engine. You would want to use gear oil in the lower unit.<br />Fred
 
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SBPD1717

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Re: GL-5,10w30, or straight 30 wt oil?

Fred, I couldn't believe it either but the manual states that for that particular outdrive one is to use 10W-30 motor oil. :confused:
 
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vinney

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Oct 29, 2002
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Re: GL-5,10w30, or straight 30 wt oil?

The gear oil in you drive is Mercruiser high performance gear luge. It's a semi synthic gl-5 rated gear lube. Most of us use that in stead of 10-30. The question is did the lower unit come out of gear ok. If yes I would put Merc's hp gear lube back in. The only negitive effect of this gear lube is the price and it will effect the seals in the unit over time. They weren't designed for the chemical make up of this gear lube.They have up dated seals if you have problem. Vinney
 
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SBPD1717

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Re: GL-5,10w30, or straight 30 wt oil?

Vinney, haven't had any problems with the drive coming out of gear (only had the boat for 3 months), in your professional opinion with no problems with the outdrive why would you put the gl-5 back in? what makes the gl-5 better than; say 10w30 synthetic?
 
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petryshyn

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Re: GL-5,10w30, or straight 30 wt oil?

GL-5 has high contact pressure additives. (zinc)
 
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vinney

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Oct 29, 2002
Messages
437
Re: GL-5,10w30, or straight 30 wt oil?

There are about 6 different types of gear lube in my shop we narrow it down to two. You can buy serria gear lube gl-5 synthic for alot less that 10-30 synthic gear lube. I would rather you change twice a year as too once. The serria gear lube is half the cost of the 10-30 syn. Vinney
 
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SBPD1717

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Sep 25, 2002
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Re: GL-5,10w30, or straight 30 wt oil?

Thanks for all your input :) I think since I haven't had any problem with the drive with the gear lube in I'll just put the same thing back in
 
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tpatwil

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May 8, 2003
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Re: GL-5,10w30, or straight 30 wt oil?

This is for Vinney member # 17040<br />Just a follow up on using synthetic gear lube -and seals <br />I have used both OMC Hi-Vis and a Synthetic in my OMC 800 drive.<br />Have you noted any seal problems with synthetic oils?<br />I know Merc and OMC both have Synthetic lubes, and they do not<br />caution against using them in any older drives?<br />Comments?<br />Anyone?<br /><br />thanks<br />TIM
 
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