Choice of Oil for Volvo MD1

Applescruffs

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I have a very old , (and most probably original), Volvo MD1B in my '69 Mirror Offshore, any ideas as to the type of oil to use in it? I have heard that modern synthetic is definatley a no-no. Any advice please. Cheers.
 
Synthetic and semi-synthetic oil is definitely not on in your old MD1. Comma do a mineral 10/40 and 20/50 for diesels which will do. It's cheap enough and available through most motor factors. They also do an old fashioned SAE 30 single grade.

Another good source of suitable oil is an Agricultural Engineer. I got Five litres from a local guy, decanted from a 50litre drum, a couple of years ago....now that was cheap as chips.

If you use the "search" facility here, you ought to be able to find a treatise on oils written by a specialist on the subject of suitable oils for old marine diesels last year.
 
10W seems rather thin for an old engine. The only advantage of such low-viscosity oils is fuel economy, surely not an issue here? 15W/40 might be considered normal, increasing with the rattles to 20W/40. :)

10W was the original spec for temps below 20C, SAE 20 if you prefer. Spec'd fot temps over 20C

whatever Morris Lubricants Offer a range of single grade and multigrade oils. take your pick. http://www.morrislubricants.co.uk/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=139
 
Thanks for all the posts guys!

I have gone mad and splashed out £7 for the ASDA Special...my guess is that over the 40 odd years that the engine has been installed that no-one has even given the choice of oil as much as a second thought....I feel good though !!
 
I have a very old , (and most probably original), Volvo MD1B in my '69 Mirror Offshore, any ideas as to the type of oil to use in it? I have heard that modern synthetic is definatley a no-no. Any advice please. Cheers.

Halfords and all the supermarkets do a straight mineral oil which is perfectly suitable. I believe in Halfords and Tesco it is in Black containers and I think 14/40 Mineral.
 
Slight drift, but as the oil in the md1 is shared between engine and gearbox is shared, could the wrong choice of oil cause the 'box to jam in fwd gear when hot? Gearbox apparently has cone clutches with a friction material, but I've no idea what this material is. Any ideas folks?
 
Hello. . .Hope you can help. I have a 1953 Coventry Climax Godiva KF4 - 2 stroke diesel with blower. . .1800cc and 50 hp at 2000rpm, which i am restoring. I was recommended Shell rotella T40 recently but hellish hard to find here in France. . . .can you recommend an easier maker to deal with and should I stick to single grade . Original oil was OE 30 HD according to the Admiralty.
my email is . . .Erikpam@me.com.
Your help will be GREATLY appreciated. . .life in France isn't all perfect either !
Cheeers . Erik
 
thats us

Slight drift, but as the oil in the md1 is shared between engine and gearbox is shared, could the wrong choice of oil cause the 'box to jam in fwd gear when hot? Gearbox apparently has cone clutches with a friction material, but I've no idea what this material is. Any ideas folks?

beast jammed in fwds - seemingly forever

I did change the oil and used one with molyslip

bumma

D
 
Jusque pour vous!

Ce va? mon amis! etes vous, vous etes francais? au peute etre englaise?

English I guess....I used oil from ASDA here in UK also available from Tesco.....called , c'est incredible je crois... mais...."oil for older engines"...oui c'est vrais !..

IT works just fine....in my belief most old engines have had all sorts of 'merde' put in them over the years soI guess it really doesn't matter too much....best not to get a synthetic oil though.

Bon chance mon ami!
 
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