2011 5.7 VP mineral oil for 150 hours?

[KJ47]

This is my first catalyst marine engine, I have read the manual that came with the boat and the VP manual as well.

The VP manual doesnt mention the 20 hour service, dealer wants the boat at 20 hours, the boat manual says follow the drive/engine manual for the first service. The VP manual says 50 hours..

Also the VP manual says not to use synthetic for 150 hours, says use 5w30 or up API SM mineral oil. the only non-synthetic Volvo sells is the 5w30 which seems a little thin to me. Of course the dealer insists at 20 hours they should change to the usual 30w Volvo synthetic. This is my first new boat, all my others I bought used and I always did my own drive alignment, oil changes, gimbal bearings etc so naturally I'm a little reluctant to let the dealer have at my brand new 80K boat if they say 'screw what the manual says.'

Any thoughts on why VP wants non-synthetic for the first 150 hours? Also curious if I do my own drive alignment (take pics and document it), engine/drive oil changes using recommended oils and OE filter, impellers etc if that will affect the VP warranty? Dealer told me I CANT do my own drive alignments at home, funny since I've been doing it for 20+ years. So far I havent been thrilled with the dealer, lots of loose bolts and obvious things falling off a brand new boat that a 10 year old could have fixed if he/she cared. Drive was way overfilled and the engine was 2 qts low when delivered so I'm a bit wary of letting them mess with it.

 

[Don S]

Re: 2011 5.7 VP mineral oil for 150 hours?

Also the VP manual says not to use synthetic for 150 hours, says use 5w30 or up API SM mineral oil. the only non-synthetic Volvo sells is the 5w30 which seems a little thin to me.

My guess is Volvo has to warranty the engine, why would they suggest you use oil that is too thin ????????????

Any thoughts on why VP wants non-synthetic for the first 150 hours?

On a forum???? Of course people have opinions on the "WHY" of everything, but seldom do they know what they are talking about, and almost never do they know the real reason.

Also curious if I do my own drive alignment (take pics and document it), engine/drive oil changes using recommended oils and OE filter, impellers etc if that will affect the VP warranty? Dealer told me I CANT do my own drive alignments at home, funny since I've been doing it for 20+ years.

First, your dealer sounds like an idiot. If you document your maintenance, keep records and receipts for all the parts (including orings and gaskets) that shows the maintenance has been done, Volvo will not void your warranty.

The VP manual doesnt mention the 20 hour service, dealer wants the boat at 20 hours, the boat manual says follow the drive/engine manual for the first service. The VP manual says 50 hours..

Follow what the manual says and you will have no problems with warranty, follow your dealers advise, and you won't either, but you will go broke.

 

[KJ47]

Re: 2011 5.7 VP mineral oil for 150 hours?

My guess is Volvo has to warranty the engine, why would they suggest you use oil that is too thin ????????????

My last 5.7GS (2005) manual recommended straight 30w synthetic. Since its still the same engine except for the newer emissions I find it odd they suggest 5w30, they say 10-40, 15w50 and straight 30 is OK as well. Since the only non-synth VP branded oil I can find is 5w30 I just thought it was odd they would go to straight 30 to 5w30.

On a forum???? Of course people have opinions on the "WHY" of everything, but seldom do they know what they are talking about, and almost never do they know the real reason.

Cant be much worse than asking the dealer

First, your dealer sounds like an idiot. If you document your maintenance, keep records and receipts for all the parts (including orings and gaskets) that shows the maintenance has been done, Volvo will not void your warranty.

They arent the only ones around here like that, I'm sure there are good service dealers out there but I havent found one yet.

Follow what the manual says and you will have no problems with warranty, follow your dealers advise, and you won't either, but you will go broke.

I appreciate the reply, this is my first brand new boat and honestly the dealer had me pretty bummed out about it after they gave me the sheet with their charges and they implied they 'had' to do them to keep the VP warranty. Its not really the money, but it seems every time the dealer 'fixes' something they screw up two other things, that why I started doing everything myself a long time ago. I can screw things up for free..