Can I use Castrol Syntec 20W-50 in Volvo Engine??

[Robertpel9]

I downloaded the Volvo Owners Manual for my boat engine in my 1995 Chris Craft which has a Volvo Penta 4.3GS in it. Is says SAE 30 or 20W-50. When I was at the store the option i saw were either:

1) Rotella SAE30 Conventional oil

or

2) Castrol Syntec 20W-50 Full Synthetic

I did a search but can't find an answer to my question. The previous owner of my one owner boat said he has the Dealer do the changes and said they used the Volvo oil.

After about 25 hours since I bought the boat in april it needs about 3/4 of a quart (I do a bit of WOT driving). I don't have easy access to the Volve oil and would like opinions on using this castrol one. It says it is specially formulated for classic cars which concerns me.

Please let me know your thoughts. I am going to hold off on topping off till i see some opinions. Castrol has a page dedicated to this oil but it is all about classic cars.

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/genericarticle.do?categoryId=82915470&contentId=7032644

Please advise and as always thanks in advance,
Robert

 

[JB]

Re: Can I use Castrol Syntec 20W-50 in Volvo Engine??

You seem to have missed "not engine topics" in the title of this Forum, Robert.

I will move it to the I/O forum for you.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Can I use Castrol Syntec 20W-50 in Volvo Engine??

I used to run the Rotella with no problems in my older 4.3.
The Syntec would be my choice for that engine Robert.

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Can I use Castrol Syntec 20W-50 in Volvo Engine??

in a word: yes.

I was told that over time Rotela can keep an engine a little "too clean" and that the extra anti-scuff properties from it's agressive additive package are only truly important during breakin, for flat tapet cams and for high soot, ie diesel engines. The castrol synthetic is an excelent oil and has a very good additive package in it - appropriate for marine use. I've also understood that because over time an engine develops it's running tolerances and oil film characteristics as it wears into a particular type of oils properties. As a result, it is often recommeded that once you go to a synthetic, not to go back, especially to a cheap or inferior, straight mieral oil...

Hope this is helpful.

 

[Coors]

Re: Can I use Castrol Syntec 20W-50 in Volvo Engine??

It has been awhile since the last oil thread.
Bring it on.

 

[Robertpel9]

Re: Can I use Castrol Syntec 20W-50 in Volvo Engine??

Looks like it should be fine. The extra additive is just putting back the zinc that they have taken out of oils over the years to protect the catalytic converters. If Volvo says 20W-50 is reccomended then it looks like it should be fine