Alternatives to Volvo Penta sterndrive oil -75 W 90 synthetic oil

[Shetland28]

Hi all,
Has anyone used an alternative to the Volvo Penta gear oil from other manufacturers.
Can anyone recommend a gear oil from another manufacturer, with the same specification.
I have seen Rock oil sold by Repower with the same spec at £14.40
Thanks

 

[Daydream believer]

Ask these people. Obviously you will have to tell them the viscosity. Not keep it a secret like you are doing here.
Classic oils

 

[philipdawsonladds]

I have always used Smith & Allen - VP don't make oil they just re-badge it - as long as the specification is identical you can use any alternative

 

[Shetland28]

Ask these people. Obviously you will have to tell them the viscosity. Not keep it a secret like you are doing here.
Classic oils

Hi,
The oil grade is 75W 90 GL5 fully synthetic.

 

[Daydream believer]

Hi,
The oil grade is 75W 90 GL5 fully synthetic.

Sorry. I should have read the title of the thread
There are a couple of listings of 75-90 on their site. circa £11.95.Have no idea if that compares favourably with your proposed oil. I suggest a phone call to them.

 

[Momac]

 

[GrahamHR]

Mobil 1

 

[QBhoy]

Any GL5 rated 75/90 or 80/90 should be good. As far as I remember.

 

[dpb]

I have used Repower's Rock Oil in Mercruiser drives for years with out problems.

 

[volvopaul]

Any GL5 rated 75/90 or 80/90 should be good. As far as I remember.

Not in certain applications for example DPH drives and IPS.

 

[QBhoy]

Not in certain applications for example DPH drives and IPS.

Good call there. If it’s applicable to the chap. Fair point

 

[Portofino]

GL5 is not recommended in g boxes with brass or similar yellow metals components .Shims , thrust washers bearing surfaces etc etc .
I know this fiddling with classic cars / bikes .
You have to seek out GL4 which isn’t a problem in that world .

 

[Portofino]

Hi all,
Has anyone used an alternative to the Volvo Penta gear oil from other manufacturers.
Can anyone recommend a gear oil from another manufacturer, with the same specification.
I have seen Rock oil sold by Repower with the same spec at £14.40
Thanks

This is a moot point specifically the “ same spec “ bit .
VP reckon there oil has some sort of anti water additive , to keep the oil lubrication up if there’s water ingress, you know emulsified oil = still works pretty well .Also anti corrosive additives beefed up .A guarded trade secret .

Its weight - sure is 80/ 90 W or what ever so it’s easy to get lulled into thinking A N Other 80/90 in a grey container for a fraction is the same .Or its commonly used within the cost conscious DIY outdrive fraternity.

Wether the guarded secret is boloney or real ……you takes your choice ??

Personally I always had mine ( 9 seasons ) done by franchised VP dealers and they used the stuff in the blue bottles .
No lingering doubts over it .Never had a breakdown or major issue , which was important with family downtime .
Additionally the boat sold within a week when listed as full VP SH , with a file stuffed with genuine VP parts + lubricant invoices FWIW .Worth a lot at the back end imho .Buyers and brokers are savvy know what to look for with aged outdrives.

 

[QBhoy]

GL5 is not recommended in g boxes with brass or similar yellow metals components .Shims , thrust washers bearing surfaces etc etc .
I know this fiddling with classic cars / bikes .
You have to seek out GL4 which isn’t a problem in that world .

You’ll likely be quite accurate there in that statement. But frustratingly, I find that often specific requirements like this very topic, seem to be merged together all too often. An example would be many gear oil makers stating a GL4 and GL5 rating for the one single product. Given what you have mentioned, such a thing might be ambiguous or dilemma inspiring!

 

[ChromeDome]

Any GL5 rated 75/90 or 80/90 should be good. As far as I remember.

Indeed.

On the bottle Volvo states API GL-5 and 75W-90.
The viscosity isn't very crucial - at normal temperatures the two will in practise be the same

Any oil that meet these reqs. can be used - if that is what your owners manual calls for