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what oil to use?
- bud37
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Re: what oil to use?
The first is the cold number and the hot number are closer together. In my opinion in a boat engine that already has a cold thermostat and perhaps an oil cooler, the engine oil will take a while to get hot enough to trigger the change to acting like a 40 wt oil. This could be a real problem if you beat on it too soon after start up.
The second reason is where can you readily/easily get good SAE 30 and 40 wt. anymore.
Now ….in my mercury engine manual it clearly states the oil choices, 25w40 first, then SAE 30 or 40 depending on ambient for start up….then it states not to use synthetic oil or multigrade. This is a 2001 mercruiser mx6.2 GM engine.
As for the ever-present debate about the cost of oil….IMO there is just far too much smoke and mirrors involved in marketing, so it is very difficult to pick thru it to make a decision as to what is a valid reason to purchase or just another hand in your pocket. Show me some real research data and oil analysis numbers.
All that and I still consider the right oil to be very important and have always bought what I believed to be the best at the time not based on price. Buy what your manual states, even though sometimes it seems to be quite arbitrary.
- Craig_B
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Re: what oil to use?
A good comparison between Mobil 1 and Rotella.
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- RGrew176
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Re: what oil to use?
2022 Stingray 182 SC
2004 Past Commodore
West River Yacht & Cruising Club
- Tireless
- Commander
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Re: what oil to use?
Not sure I would go to a synthetic blend. I was advised against using a synthetic blend oil, especially in older engines. Maybe someone that is more knowledgable than I can chime in, I would also like to know.
Greg
- waybomb
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Re: what oil to use?
But then again, I won't use a synthetic in my old engines. I do not have roller lifters; they flat hydraulic lifters.
I use Rotella-T (for diesel engines) in my Crusaders, and then I add a can of GM EOS. The original stuff in the cardboard or metal can. I buy it whenever I see it; it has a very high ZDDP content. The newer EOS in plastic containers has reduced ZDDP.
I do the same with my drag boat which has high spring pressure flat mechanical lifters. Haven't wiped a cam yet.
PV has rollers, and 16 quarts of oil in each engine, so those get two cans of EOS when the oil is changed. When I bought PV, it had flat mechanical lifters and regular oil. I wiped all three cams. First rebuild used same grind cams and new flat mechanical lifters, went to Rotella-T and 2 cans of EOS. When I pulled them for a refresh, I went to rollers, but the cams and lifters were in beautiful condition.
Fred
1969 Glaspar Avalon /1967 Johnson Electromatic 85
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- Midnightsun
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2007 41CMY
Volvo D6-370's - Location: Montreal, Canada
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Re: what oil to use?
Marketing hype is rampant not to mention very deceiving. I happen to run a business and see this day in and day out. I can count on 1 hand all the truthful salesman/reps I have seen in over 40 years.

One thing I hate is these 20,000km oil changes on my Mercedes AMG, just asking for trouble in the long run if you ask me. Just makes me feel like I am neglecting something. Good thing is I keep my cars for about 3 years and then give the problem to someone else to worry about.

- waybomb
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1969 15' Glasspar / 1967 Johnson Electromatic 85 - Location: Saint Joseph,Mi
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Re: what oil to use?
I tend to keep cars until they are no more. My E430 is the one that I sold at 356,000 miles. This was a few years ago; I still see that rust bucket running around town and no smoke out the pipe. Man, that water based eco-paint surely sucked. You can trust the service intervals. Whatever algorithm they use for determining changes works.
Fred
1969 Glaspar Avalon /1967 Johnson Electromatic 85
1987 Carver Mariner
1988 Cougar Kevlar 46' with triple blown 572 ci
1995 Boston Whaler Rage
Past - 1988 2807, 1989 4207 Aft
- Craig_B
- First Mate
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Re: what oil to use?
Replaced many engines on 1970s and early 1980s vehicles.
Hardly ever changed an engine on 1990s + vehicles but when those onboard monitors came around started doing more engines than ever before.
Oil isn't that expensive. Buy a good oil and change it every 5000 km.
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- denpooch
- Commander
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Crusader 6.0 Captains Choice - Location: Long Island
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Re: what oil to use?
"...Synthetic engine oils are not recommended for use in Crusader Marine Engines. Synthetics may offer advantages in cold temperature pumpability and high temperature oxidation-resistance. However, synthetic oils have not proven to provide operational or economic benefits over conventional petroleum-based oils in Crusader Marine Engines. Their use does not permit the extension of oil change intervals.."
On another note....
Viper you delineate the difference between 'automotive' and 'marine' oil. I never knew there was one. I have never noticed labeling on oil stating 'For Marine Use'. As I am using 15W40 per Crusader, does it matter if I purchase WEST MARINE 15W40 (we assume that is for boating applications) or ROTELLA 15W40? Isn't 15W40 - 15W40??
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Re: what oil to use?
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