What Oil to use

[air0msw@yahoo.com]

I have a 2001 Volvo 5.7. What oil should I be using? My manual says 30W. I can't seem to find that in synthetic. Just curios if I should being using a blend or not.

 

[83Evinrude]

Re: What Oil to use

I think your Volvo dealer is the only place to get 30W synthetic oil and Mercruiser recommends 25W-40.

Other than those two most here will recommend something like 15W-40, 20W-50 or 15W-50 dino or synthetic. After much consideration I settled on Mobil 1 15W-50 synthetic with a Wix filter. I can get the oil at Walmart or Orielly Auto and Wix filters are normally rated highly.

Probably doesn't matter what you use but usually automotive weights like 5W-30, 10W-30 etc are not recommended for marine engines.

 

[njlarry]

Re: What Oil to use

I believe only Volvo sells single wt synthetic, mmmmm. I use mobil multi wt in mine. If the same engine with a merc outdrive can use it why not when a silver outdrive is hanging of the same engine?

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: What Oil to use

The manual states to use SAE 30 which is a straight weight,why are you looking for multigrades?? I use what my manual calls for.Charlie

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: What Oil to use

If you are not using it in cold climate I would stick with a 30 weight diesel grade oil. That is what I run in my boat with alittle powerpunch at times.
The truck engines when they went from 30 weight to 15-40 lost oil pressure. Like stated any 15-40, 20-50, 30, is ok as long as with the multi grade oil your oil pressure stays above min spec. at idle after a long run. I would stick with a diesel grade oil.

 

[njlarry]

Re: What Oil to use

I use multi grade oil because there are no Volvo oil sellers here, I like synthetic oils, they are readly available at local retailers and low cost and are used not just in millions of car and truck engines but are also recommened by Merc in their IOs with same blocks as Volvo.
My point is this; why does an engine whose manufacturer (Ford or GM) recommends multi wt and Merc using these same engines as Volvo also approves multi's sudden have to have a single wt that is only available from Volvo just because the engine was shipped once to a Volvo plant?

 

[Bronc Rider]

Re: What Oil to use

I use multi grade oil because there are no Volvo oil sellers here, I like synthetic oils, they are readly available at local retailers and low cost and are used not just in millions of car and truck engines but are also recommened by Merc in their IOs with same blocks as Volvo.
My point is this; why does an engine whose manufacturer (Ford or GM) recommends multi wt and Merc using these same engines as Volvo also approves multi's sudden have to have a single wt that is only available from Volvo just because the engine was shipped once to a Volvo plant?

The duty of a marine engine is different from a cars. Think about it, for how long do you hold 4400RPM on your car? Volvo and Merc figured this stuff out already, I go by their recommendation.

 

[njlarry]

Re: What Oil to use

I think you misunderstand my point.
Yea Volvo and Merc should know what is best BUT they both use the SAME blocks so why the big difference in oil specs?
Not a auto/marine issue at all.

 

[Bronc Rider]

Re: What Oil to use

I think you misunderstand my point.
Yea Volvo and Merc should know what is best BUT they both use the SAME blocks so why the big difference in oil specs?
Not a auto/marine issue at all.

I guess I don't understand. Are you saying since GM uses "x" oil so should Merc and Volvo?

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: What Oil to use

I see what your saying, I've wondered why the BRP websites stress straight 30W on OMC's but not Mercruisers even though they are both using the same basic 4 stroke engines and both running above 4000RPM's.

 

[fossill]

Re: What Oil to use

The way I see it all a Volvo or a Merc is is a GM marine engine thats got a Mercruiser or a Volvo sticker on it. Neither manufacturer makes there own engine. I'd go and put in 25W40 from Merc if a marine grade 30 weight is unavailable. I'd bet that 25W40 is just a proprietary brand 30 weight anyway.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: What Oil to use

15W-40 Dello 400 and be done with this thread. 'nutcase

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: What Oil to use

Rotella SAE 30.....Not synthetic but works just fine.Can be found about anywhere in gallon jugs.
Amsoil makes a straight 30w synthetic also.

Just my opinion...BUT if it calls for straight 30 then use it.

Ohhh.....another oil thread..

 

[magster65]

Re: What Oil to use

One of my best buds is a certified Merc tech. and as per his recommendations I went with Merc's Quicksilver 25-40 in my 5.7 Merc mag mpi.
Now I have a Volvo 5.7 GXi I see the choice isn't as easy. The engine has 30w synthetic molded right into the filler cap so you use that right? No apparently... there is something else to consider with newer Volvo power. I went to the dealer to buy this expensive oil and they said not to use it. Apparently the engines had issues with oil consumption during break in and they need regular mineral oil to seat the rings properly. This particular dealer, due to "my engine uses oil" complaints has switched to Volvo mineral oil exclusively unless the customer requests otherwise. So that's what I put in mine. There's no weight on the bottle but I found a site that identifies it as 15-50.
Cheers

 

[QC]

Re: What Oil to use

Let me get this straight . . . You, yes you, Magster . . . you get a new ride, you hide out in the Manufacturers section to report that, you use her to commute to work which is like mega cool, and then, you flippin' surface for a flippin' oil thread?????? WTF?

Sorry gentlemen, you may now return to your previously scheduled disaster thread

Oh, BTW, Hi Mags . . .

 

[Lou C]

Re: What Oil to use

Check the owners manual to see if they recommend any alternatives to the syn straight 30....I think if you compare the specs of a heavy duty 4 cycle diesel rated oil straight 30 they compare pretty well to a synthetic...especially if you change at proper intervals and maintain the cooling system properly...and make sure the engine is not running too lean and not detonating...these are other things that shorten the life of marine inboards more than oil choice...and here's something intersting I saw on the Volvo site...look at the gallon jug closely....'Amsoil' can be clearly seen...I checked the Amsoil site and there is no straight 30 under gasoline engine oils but there is a product under the diesel oils listed as meeting both 10W-30 and straight 30 specs....looks like this might be the closest product to what the Volvo oil is....

If it was under warrantee I'd use their stuff just to avoid any problems but if I got it used I'd use straight 30 Shell Rotella or Chevron Delo 400....or even the Pennzoil Marine straight 30....

 

[J.D. Mac]

Re: What Oil to use

Hey guys, my opinion is that you should use the manufactures recomended oil. Further more use what it was broken in on & do not deviate from that. This has worked for me for 38 years!

 

[magster65]

Re: What Oil to use

Let me get this straight . . . You, yes you, Magster . . . you get a new ride, you hide out in the Manufacturers section to report that, you use her to commute to work which is like mega cool, and then, you flippin' surface for a flippin' oil thread?????? WTF?

Sorry gentlemen, you may now return to your previously scheduled disaster thread

Oh, BTW, Hi Mags . . .

Hey QC... long time no chat!
hahaha... yeah... I guess I'm guilty
I thought I'd share the song and dance about oil that I got at the volvo dealer. I know... there's so many more exciting topics out there
So yeah... I took this boat in part trade and I'm looking for a newer 280 / 290 Sundancer. There's a few around... I'm / we're pretty excited about it!