API OIL GUIDE

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saltwater_gypsy

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There have been several posts in all the forums on this subject and I apologise for a further post but there has been difficulty in copying the API table. This is my best shot at it. I hope it makes sense.

API MOTOR OIL GUIDE

CJ-4 CURRENT Introduced in 2006. For high-speed, four-stroke engines designed to meet 2007 model year on-highwayexhaust emission standards. CJ-4 oils are compounded for use in all applications with diesel fuels rangingin sulfur content up to 500 ppm (0.05% by weight). However, use of these oils with greater than 15 ppm(0.0015% by weight) sulfur fuel may impact exhaust aftertreatment system durability and/or oil draininterval. CJ-4 oils are effective at sustaining emission control system durability where particulate filtersand other advanced aftertreatment systems are used. Optimum protection is provided for control of catalystpoisoning, particulate filter blocking, engine wear, piston deposits, low- and high-temperature stability, soothandling properties, oxidative thickening, foaming, and viscosity loss due to shear. API CJ-4 oils exceed theperformance criteria of API CI-4 with CI-4 PLUS, CI-4, CH-4, CG-4 and CF-4 and can effectively lubricateengines calling for those API Service Categories. When using CJ-4 oil with higher than 15 ppm sulfur fuel,consult the engine manufacturer for service interval.

CI-4 CURRENT Introduced in 2002. For high-speed, four-stroke engines designed to meet 2004 exhaust emission standardsimplemented in 2002. CI-4 oils are formulated to sustain engine durability where exhaust gas recirculation(EGR) is used and are intended for use with diesel fuels ranging in sulfur content up to 0.5% weight. Canbe used in place of CD, CE, CF-4, CG-4, and CH-4 oils. Some CI-4 oils may also qualify for the CI-4 PLUSdesignation.

CH-4 CURRENT Introduced in 1998. For high-speed, four-stroke engines designed to meet 1998 exhaust emission standards.CH-4 oils are specifically compounded for use with diesel fuels ranging in sulfur content up to 0.5% weight.Can be used in place of CD, CE, CF-4, and CG-4 oils.

CG-4 CURRENT Introduced in 1995. For severe duty, high-speed, four-stroke engines using fuel with less than 0.5% weightsulfur. CG-4 oils are required for engines meeting 1994 emission standards. Can be used in place of CD,CE, and CF-4 oils.

CF-4 CURRENT Introduced in 1990. For high-speed, four-stroke, naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines. Can be usedin place of CD and CE oils.

CF-2 CURRENT Introduced in 1994. For severe duty, two-stroke-cycle engines. Can be used in place of CD-II oils.

CF CURRENT Introduced in 1994. For off-road, indirect-injected and other diesel engines including those using fuel withover 0.5% weight sulfur. Can be used in place of CD oils.

CE OBSOLETE Introduced in 1985. For high-speed, four-stroke, naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines. Can be usedin place of CC and CD oils

CD-11 OBSOLETE Introduced in 1985. For high-speed, four-stroke, naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines. Can be usedin place of CC and CD oils

CD OSOLETE Introduced in 1955. For certain naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines.

CC OBSOLETE CAUTION: Not suitable for use in diesel-powered engines built after 1990.

CB OBSOLETE CAUTION: Not suitable for use in diesel-powered engines built after 1961.

CA OBSOLETE CAUTION: Not suitable for use in diesel-powered engines built after 1959.
 
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Which oil is right for you?
The current and previous API Service Categories are listed below.
Vehicle owners should refer to their owner ’s manuals before
consulting these charts.Oils may have more than one performance
level.
For automotive gasoline engines,the latest engine oil service
category includes the performance properties of each earlier
category.If an automotive owner ’s manual calls for an API SJ
or SL oil,an API SM oil will provide full protection.For diesel
engines,the latest category usually – but not always – includes
the performance properties of an earlier category.
Note:API intentionally omitted “SI ” and “SK ” from the sequence of
categories.For more information about API ’s Engine Oil Program,visit
our website at www.api.org/eolcs.
Copyright 2004 -American Petroleum Institute.All rights reserved.
API,the API logo,the API Service Symbol (Donut),the API Service
Symbol with CI-4 PLUS logo and the API Certification Mark (Starburst)
are either trademarks or registered trademarks of the American
Petroleum Institute in the United States and/or other countries.
Printed in U.S.A.Creative Services |24137 |09.04 |Product No.F1551MO
For all automotive engines currently
in use.Introduced November 30,2004,
SM oils are designed to provide improved
oxidation resistance,improved deposit
protection,better wear protection,and
better low-temperature performance over
the life of the oil.Some SM oils may also
meet the latest ILSAC specification
and/or qualify as Energy Conserving.
For 2004 and older automotive engines.
For 2001 and older automotive engines.
For 1996 and older engines.Valid when
preceded by current C categories.
For 1993 and older engines.
For 1988 and older engines.
CAUTION —Not suitable for use in
gasoline-powered automotive engines
built after 1979.
CAUTION —Not suitable for use in
gasoline-powered automotive engines
built after 1971.Use in more modern
engines may cause unsatisfactory
performance or equipment harm.
CAUTION —Not suitable for use in
gasoline-powered automotive engines
built after 1967.Use in more modern
engines may cause unsatisfactory
performance or equipment harm.
CAUTION —Not suitable for use in
gasoline-powered automotive engines
built after 1963.Use in more modern
engines may cause unsatisfactory
performance or equipment harm.
CAUTION —Contains no additives.Not
suitable for use in gasoline-powered
automotive engines built after 1930.
Use in modern engines may cause
unsatisfactory engine performance
or equipment harm.
Gasoline Engines
Category Status Service
SJ Current
Current
SH Obsolete
SG Obsolete
SF Obsolete
SE Obsolete
SD Obsolete
SC Obsolete
SB Obsolete
SA Obsolete
SM
SL
Current
Diesel Engines
Category Status Service
CI-4 Current
CG-4
CF-4
CF-2
Obsolete
CF
Obsolete
CE Obsolete
CD-II Obsolete
CD
Obsolete CC
Obsolete
Current
Current
Current
Current
CB
CA
Introduced in 2002.For high-speed,four-stroke
engines designed to meet 2004 exhaust
emission standards implemented in 2002.CI-4
oils are formulated to sustain engine durability
where exhaust gas recirculation (EGR)is used
and are intended for use with diesel fuels
ranging in sulfur content up to 0.5%weight.
Can be used in place of CD,CE,CF-4,CG-4,
and CH-4 oils.Some CI-4 oils may also qualify
for the CI-4 PLUS designation.
Introduced in 1998.For high-speed,four-stroke
engines designed to meet 1998 exhaust
emission standards.CH-4 oils are specifically
compounded for use with diesel fuels ranging
in sulfur content up to 0.5%weight.Can be
used in place of CD,CE,CF-4,and CG-4 oils.
Introduced in 1995.For severe duty,high-speed,
four-stroke engines using fuel with less than
0.5%weight sulfur.CG-4 oils are required for
engines meeting 1994 emission standards.
Can be used in place of CD,CE,and CF-4 oils.
Introduced in 1990.For high-speed,four-stroke,
naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines.
Can be used in place of CD and CE oils.
Introduced in 1994.For severe duty,two-stroke-
cycle engines.Can be used in place of CD-II
oils.
Introduced in 1994.For off-road,indirect-
injected and other diesel engines including
those using fuel with over 0.5%weight sulfur.
Can be used in place of CD oils.
Introduced in 1985.For high-speed,four-stroke,
naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines.
Can be used in place of CC and CD oils.
Introduced in 1985.For two-stroke cycle
engines.
Introduced in 1955.For certain naturally
aspirated and turbocharged engines.
CAUTION —Not suitable for use in diesel-powered
engines built after 1990.
CAUTION —Not suitable for use in diesel-powered
engines built after 1961.
CAUTION —Not suitable for use in diesel-powered
engines built after 1959.
MOTOR OIL GUIDE
AMERICAN
PETROLEUM
INSTITUTE
CH-4 Current
 
There is a good source of API data here.

Unfortunately the API classification does not cover cold-running, intermittent use engines such as those in sailing yachts. Although the post shows that a whole raft of different specs, such as CH-4, CG-4, CF-4 etc can theoretically be used in place of CD, the text demonstrates that these do not apply to the type of operation imposed upon yacht auxiliaries.

The fact is that new engines currently made by many major manufacturers specify oil to API CD. Lubricants to this specification are still made by, at least, Shell and Total and quite possibly other majors, plus many smaller blenders, even though it has nominally been obsolete since about 1990.

Those who wish to put any of the above higher grades in their engines may be doing them harm.
 
It's not clear whether they are referring to all Yanmars or the latest ones as shown on the website. I do know that both owner manuals and workshop manuals for engines bought within the last five years quote API CD. There have been posts about the gearbox oils, for which non-engine grades have been quoted for the very latest units. So I stand corrected about the very latest engines, although it would be interesting to know whether this has been driven by the oil availability, which itself is driven by the automotive market.

Shell's API CF lubricant is Rimula D, for which it states:

Automotive diesel engines
Rimula D Oils are suitable for use in older turbo charged or non turbocharged engines of light /medium duty burning low sulphur, distillate fuels.
Off-highway operations
Rimula D is also suitable for use in a variety of off-highway applications, e.g. construction or agricultural equipment.
 
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