DPG (290 duoprop) Volvo Penta drive

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Hi,

I have always been using Volvos own drive oil 75W 140 as this is recommended for this DP-G drive ... It is just extremely expensive. The bottle says API GL-5 as only declaration except 75W 140. I take it that you cannot use regular API-5 75W 140 gear oil due to the risk of a broken seal (under water). I guess the Volvo gear lube can work with 10-15% water in it... Any other marine choices that are more reasonable in price ?
 

You can use any brand of oil that meets volvo specs, you mentioned the API GL-5 75w140 All the brand of oil is ok .

If the seal leaks, then all the brands oils are blond cream, but no great damage if you change the oils every year, of course, repair the leaking seal.

The second question is the price of VP Oil vs All Your Boating Cost, No Real Savings?


NBs

Examples Castrol https://www.amazon.co.uk/Castrol-54098-Synthetic-Gearbox-75W-140/dp/B002EO96CI
 
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For the 8 or 9 years I had my 290dp, I always used regular GL5 75/90 or 80/90 and without fault. Only problem was the famed water ingress first couple of years when using the VP o ring seals. Changed to the Mercruiser fibre seals and a blob of silicone. Never a problem afterwards.
 
For the 8 or 9 years I had my 290dp, I always used regular GL5 75/90 or 80/90 and without fault. Only problem was the famed water ingress first couple of years when using the VP o ring seals. Changed to the Mercruiser fibre seals and a blob of silicone. Never a problem afterwards.

What, you used that in a DPG ?
 
DP what ? There's many variants

It’s just called the 290DP, as I’ve mentioned. It’s the original model, circa late 80’s and early 90’s. You can look it up using the link someone posted above, if you are not familiar.
 
Thanks - I will stay with the original Volvo oil :-)

We have used other brands of synthetic 75W90 GL-5 in our DPE for the last ten years with no problems as yet.

We have a real problem with discarded fishing line where we are based so it is very rare that we don't have line through the seals and contaminated oil by the end of the year.
 
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