SAE30 Motor Oil Discontinued, what do you use?

[enginesilo]

So SAE30 synthetic which my 2002 5.0 GXI manual recommends is discontinued. Seems like Volvo only sells 10W-40 synthetic so I'm assuming that is the replacement. Is this what is recommended? I'm NOT trying to start an oil debate, just trying to decide on OEM oil, then oil to use in future years.

I've seen all sorts of talk how people use SAE30 from Sierra, along with Mobil 1, Royal Purple, and just about every other oil and weight under the sun. I guess in the end they will all work.

I want to use OEM stuff this year since its my first year. Is the Volvo Penta 10W-40 ideal for my motor in place of SAE30? and what else is recommended for other years? Is Mobil 1 10W-40 a good alternative as well?

 

[alldodge]

The first digit in oil (5W, 10W, etc) are modifiers used in oil for when they are cold. A full synthetic 30 weight oil is 0W30 which shows no modifiers.

 

[Alan Lloys]

The first digit in oil (5W, 10W, etc) are modifiers used in oil for when they are cold. A full synthetic 30 weight oil is 0W30 which shows no modifiers.

No offense meant but that is not entirely correct.
The first number shows the viscosity when the oil is cold, the second number shows the viscosity when it is warm.
So technically a straight 30W oil could be written as 30W30 but that is redundant.

The multi viscosity oils have additives in them so they flow different at different temperatures.
10W30 flows as a straight 10 weight oil when cold and as a straight 30 weight when warm.
At temperatures in between it will flow as a weight in between 10 and 30.

The test definition of cold is o F and warm 212 F.

Hope this helps.

 

[alldodge]

No offense meant but that is not entirely correct.

Not trying to get into the full chemical make up of oils just a simple explanation which can use to help understand the issue(s). Modifiers are use to change the viscosity, but what ever helps is all good.

 

[enginesilo]

Thanks for the replies. So is Volvo’s 10W-40 a reasonable oil to use, or should I go with aftermarket Sierra SAE30 to keep it the exact same?

Seems like Volvo discontinuing SAE30 and promoting 10W-40 that it’s probably a reasonable equivalent. Across the web it seems people are using all sorts of oil and anytime the question gets asked people rattle off their favorite, so maybe most oils are ok?

I was trying to dodge around the oil debate since I know it’s an opinionated topic, so I am curious what other people are using as an SAE30 equivalent.

Some options:
-Stick with SAE30 by Sierra since Volvo’s branded SAE30 is discontinued
-Go with Volvo’s 10W-40 which seems is their updated oil
-Go with something else that has a different weight such as Mobil 1 10W-30 or 10W-40 that I’ve seen people mention they use.
-Some other specific brand and weight oil someone knows is ideal and has good luck with.

 

[Insomnium]

I use Mobil 10w40 Synthetic no issues

 

[jimmbo]

Volvo 10W - 40 is what Volvo current specs and recommends. It is a full synthetic that is engineered for the operating parameters of marine engines.
Just like 2 stroke engine require different Oil Specs than 4 stoke engines, Marine 4 strokes have different operational regimes and thus different oil requirements than auto/truck/industrial 4 stroke engines, some people minds are made up, so any presentation of these reality's are ignored.
Last week I overheard at a dealership, a customer went thru 2 service techs and 3 parts persons about which oil to use in their Optimax. Because his "expert" buddy told him Wally World, or any TC-W3 oil, was the same and therefore as good, he was demanding a refund on a gallon of Mercury Optimax oil. It was explained to him in detail about carbon/sooting issues with DI engines, but he mind was made up. Well it is his engine and he can do what he wants...

 

[Insomnium]

I think I found this here a while back.
http://www.***********************/VP...%20Engines.pdf

 

[alldodge]

Has a VP control system only, its still a GM 5.0 motor.

 

[enginesilo]

Volvo 10W - 40 is what Volvo current specs and recommends. It is a full synthetic that is engineered for the operating parameters of marine engines.
Just like 2 stroke engine require different Oil Specs than 4 stoke engines, Marine 4 strokes have different operational regimes and thus different oil requirements than auto/truck/industrial 4 stroke engines, some people minds are made up, so any presentation of these reality's are ignored.
Last week I overheard at a dealership, a customer went thru 2 service techs and 3 parts persons about which oil to use in their Optimax. Because his "expert" buddy told him Wally World, or any TC-W3 oil, was the same and therefore as good, he was demanding a refund on a gallon of Mercury Optimax oil. It was explained to him in detail about carbon/sooting issues with DI engines, but he mind was made up. Well it is his engine and he can do what he wants...

So I was able to get in touch with the previous owner and he said he ran Mobil 1 10W-40 regularly and never had issues, so I'll probably stick with that. Makes me wonder though, do marine oils have some type of additive added to them to make it a marine application or is that not the case? I'm at the point of either using Mobil 1 10W-40 Synthetic, or using Volvo 10W-40 Synthetic for the first year.

 

[Mi_fiveo]

I use the synthetic Sierra SAE 30 marine oil.

 

[doyall]

xW-50 synthetic is what I have seen recommended in the VP manuals.

 

[enginesilo]

So I got word directly from Volvo Penta on the topic. They put out a new bulletin this month 9-2018 on the oil topic. For the old recommendation of SAE30 in a 2002 5.0 GXI-B, this is their suggestion:
Volvo Penta 10w40 full synthetic
OR
Volvo Penta 25w40 semi-synthetic

So I guess it seems the 10W-40 synthetic is just fine to use. In the bulletin, they reference Mercruiser 25W-40 which I thought was strange, but I guess that's fine too.

No issues with mixing old SAE30 Synthetic with the new 10W-40 synthetic either.

Still not decided on what i'll use. I may go 10W-40 Volvo branded oil, or use Mobil 1 10W-40 like the previous owner has been running the last few years.

 

[jimmbo]

Mercury markets some very good oils, their 25W - 40 synthetic blend is good stuff, I wouldn't hesitate running in a VP.
As for it being just a GM motor, yes VP and Mercury do obtain their engine from GM, GM does build the engine for marine usage. That does not mean the oil specifed is the same as in automotive use. There is a FC-W certification for marine oils.

FB-00210R Outboard 500 4T SAE 10W-30 YACCO SAS

FB-00211R Outboard 500 4T SAE 25W-40 YACCO SAS

FB-00511J Yamalube Marine Performance FC-W 10W-30 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.

FB-00512J Yamalube Marine Performance 4M FC-W 20W-40 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.

FB-00604J West Marine Premium 4-Cycle Outboard Oil 10W-40
West Marine Products, Inc.

FB-00616J Lubrax Nautica Tecno SAE 25W-40
Petrobras Distribuidora S.A.

FB-00620K Yamalube 5W-30 Full Syn Marine FC-W
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.

FB-00624L 25W-50 Semi-Synthetic Blend
Sierra International LLC

FB-00625L 10W-40 Semi-Synthetic
Sierra International LLC

FB-00626M Power R 4T Outboard
PTT Public Company Limited

FB-00627N MotoMaster Formula 1 Synthetic Marine 10W-30 Outboard Engine Oil
CITGO Petroleum Corporation

FB-00628N Mystik JT-4 Synthetic Blend 4-Cycle 25W-50 Marine Engine Oil
CITGO Petroleum Corporation

FB-00629N Mystik JT-4 Synthetic 4-Cycle 10W-40 Marine Engine Oil
CITGO Petroleum Corporation

FB-00630N Mystik JT-4 Synthetic Blend 4-Cycle 25W-40 Marine Engine Oil
CITGO Petroleum Corporation

FB-00631N Mystik JT-4 Synthetic 4-Cycle 10W-30 Marine Engine Oil
CITGO Petroleum Corporation

FB-00640P Quicksilver High Performance 25W-50
Mercury Marine

FB-00641P Mercury High Performance 25W-50
Mercury Marine

FB-12457P Wave Rider S Outboard 10W-40
Bahrain Petroleum Company

FB-13092U Repsol Nautico Gasoline Board 4T 10W-40
Repsol Lubricantes Y Especialidades S.A.

FB-13103U INA Outboard 4T SAE 10W-30
INA MAZIVA Ltd.

FB-13721U MARINE 4 TEMPS FC-W 10W-30
Minerva Oil SAS

FB-13724U ECSTAR V7000 Semi-Synthetic Marine Engine Oil
Suzuki Motor Corporation

FB-13800W MOTUL Marine Tech 4T 25W-40
MOTUL S.A
.
FB-13827W Marine Inboard Four-Stroke Oil 25W-40
Penrite Oil Company

FB-13852W Suzuki Marine 4-Stroke Engine Oil 10W-40
MOTUL S.A.

FB-14307W Marine Performance 20W-40
Yamaha Motor Canada Ltd.

FB-14800W MOTUL Outboard Tech 4T 10W-40
MOTUL S.A.

FB-20071R Outboard 4000RS 25W-40
IPONE

FB-20114N Evinrude Johnson Marine Stern Drive 25W-40 Oil
BRP U.S. Inc.

FB-20123R KATANA JET 10W-40
IPONE

FB-20208M Avia Outboard 4T 10W-40
Avia France

FB-20215R Outboard 500 4T SAE 10W-40
YACCO SAS

FB-20230R JET 4000RS 10W-40
IPONE

FB-20240R Outboard 4000RS 10W-40
IPONE

FB-20333H IGOL Prosurf 4T FC-W SAE 10W-40
IGOL France

FB-20444H IGOL Prosurf 4T FC-W SAE 10W-30
IGOL France

FB-20555H IGOL Prosurf 4T FC-W SAE 25W-40
IGOL France

FB-20601L Titan Marine FC-W
Fuchs Petrolub SE

FB-21004J 10W-30 4-Stroke Outboard
Sierra International LLC

FB-21005K 10W-30 Synthetic 4-Stroke Outboard & Stern Drive
Sierra International LLC

FB-30220H SUPRA 4
Eduardono S.A.

FB-31001B Tohatsu Premium Four-Stroke Oil
Tohatsu America Corporation

FB-37565U KPO Jet Ski Watercraft 10W-40 4-Stroke Oil
Kawasaki Motors Corp. USA

FB-38003W MOTUL Outboard Tech 4T 10W-30
MOTUL S.A.

FB-38525W Suzuki Marine 4-Stroke Engine Oil 10W-30
MOTUL S.A.

FB-39045W CEPSA Outboard 4T
CEPSA Comercial Petroleo SAU

FB-40003A RAVENOL Outboardoel 4T
Ravensberger Schmierstoffvertrieb GmbH

FB-42111T Liqui Moly Marine 4T Motor Oil SAE 10W-30
Liqui Moly GmbH

FB-42112T Liqui Moly Marine 4T Motor Oil SAE 25W-40
Liqui Moly GmbH

FB-43069W Marine Full Synthetic 5W-30
Yamaha Motor Canada Ltd.

FB-43072W Marine Performance 10W-30
Yamaha Motor Canada Ltd.

FB-44201N Power Boat 4 (SAE 10W-40)
Comercial Importadora, S.A. de C.V.

FB-44215K 25W-40 4-Stroke Stern Drive
Sierra International LLC

FB-44216K 25W-40 4-Stroke Inboard & Stern Drive
Sierra International LLC

FB-44221R Power Rider 4T
Comercial Importadora, S.A. de C.V.

FB-44228J Honda Marine 10W-30 Engine Oil
Idemitsu Lubricants America Corporation

FB-44303J Gulf Pride 4004 - SAE 10W-40
Gulf Oil International

FB-44404M MPM Marine FC-W Engine Oil 4-Stroke Outboard EHP 10W-40
MPM International Oil Company B.V.

FB-80114J West Marine Premium 4-Cycle Outboard Oil 10W-30
West Marine Products, Inc.

FB-80116J West Marine Premium 4-Cycle Outboard Oil 25W-40
West Marine Products, Inc.

FB-80460T Yamalube Marine Performance FC-W 10W-30
Yamaha Motor Distribution Latin America Inc.

FB-80812K RAVENOL Outboardoel 4T SAE 25W-40
Ravensberger Schmierstoffvertrieb GmbH

FB-80813K RAVENOL MARINE OIL PETROL SAE 25W-40 Mineral
Ravensberger Schmierstoffvertrieb GmbH

FB-80814K Nautic 4T SAE 10W-30
Comercial Roshfrans, S.A. de C.V.

FB-80815K Nautic 4T SAE 25W-40
Comercial Roshfrans, S.A. de C.V.

FB-83138K RAVENOL Outboardoel 4T SAE 15W-40
Ravensberger Schmierstoffvertrieb GmbH

FB-83139K RAVENOL Outboardoel 4T SAE 10W-40
Ravensberger Schmierstoffvertrieb GmbH

FB-83140K RAVENOL Outboardoel 4T SAE 10W-30
Ravensberger Schmierstoffvertrieb GmbH

FB-83180R Suzuki Synthetic Blend Marine 4-Cycle Engine Oil SAE 10W-40
CITGO Petroleum Corporation

FB-84000K CEPSA Fuera Borda 4T
CEPSA Comercial Petroleo, S.A.U.

FB-85003K Quicksilver Synthetic Verado 4-Stroke Outboard Oil 25W-50
Brunswick Marine in EMEA

 

[Scott Danforth]

Merc and Volvo have the oils private-labeled. Just like many manufacturers do.

This is done for two reasons.

reason #1 - it makes a lot of money for the OEM
reason #2 - its a minimum requirement oil for the task that makes the OEM a lot of money.

SAE 30 isnt discontinued. you can find SAE 30 synthetic and full dino squeezings if you look.

I believe for a while that Volvo oil was shell, then citgo

as long as the oil is FC-W rated and meets the viscosity, your good.

 

[Lou C]

I think I found this here a while back.
http://www.***********************/VP...%20Engines.pdf

like other Volvo service literature, clear as mud.
If the previous owner used Mobil 1 10w-40 I see no real reason to switch to the harder to find and more expensive Volvo syn oil the only difference will be the FCW rating, which the VP oil has and Mobil 1 does not.
I have used the Merc 25.40 oil which is easy to find and holds up well. The corrosion resistance is very good as I found out when I repaired the damage from 2 blown head gaskets and salt water in the engine. So maybe the corrosion resistance test for the FCW rating if you are in a salt water region is worth having.