Engine oil - alternatives to Volvo Penta 15W40 VDS-3

[Momac]

Any thoughts appreciated on the following engine oils as an alternative to Volvo Penta 15W40 VDS-3 .
.
http://www.millersoils.co.uk/commercial/tds-commercial-vehicle.asp?prodsegmentID=705&sector=Fleet#
.
http://www.exol-lubricants.com/off-highway/products/details/?PID=455
.
http://www.shell.com/motorist/oils-...-heavy-duty-engine-oil/shell-rimula-r4-x.html
.
http://www.shell.co.uk/motorist/oil...heavy-duty-engine-oil/shell-rimula-rt-4x.html
.
Not sure what the difference is between shell rt4x and r4x

 

[aquatom]

What's wrong with Volvos oil?

 

[tom52]

What's wrong with Volvos oil?

The price !

 

[oGaryo]

I've used the Rimula without problem.. sourced from a place in Andover that sells 20l for around £50

 

[Momac]

What's wrong with Volvos oil?

Nothing wrong with oil that comes with a VP label on the container.
VP oil costs around £93 for twenty litres while the alternatives are as little as £50 for 25 litres , Shell is around £70 for 20 litres .
Not huge cost in the scheme of things but nevertheless a saved expense providing the alternatives are equal quality.
.

 

[Momac]

I've used the Rimula without problem.. sourced from a place in Andover that sells 20l for around £50

Thats a good price if it includes vat .

 

[[2068]]

The Shell Rimula is a good alternative that I'd be perfectly happy to have inside my engines.

 

[Plum]

Any thoughts appreciated on the following engine oils as an alternative to Volvo Penta 15W40 VDS-3 .
.
http://www.millersoils.co.uk/commercial/tds-commercial-vehicle.asp?prodsegmentID=705§or=Fleet#
.
http://www.exol-lubricants.com/off-highway/products/details/?PID=455
.
http://www.shell.com/motorist/oils-...-heavy-duty-engine-oil/shell-rimula-r4-x.html
.
http://www.shell.co.uk/motorist/oil...heavy-duty-engine-oil/shell-rimula-rt-4x.html
.
Not sure what the difference is between shell rt4x and r4x

I have been using http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SHPD-ENGI...ITY-BY-EXOL-/290638875441?hash=item43ab6d4b31 and am very pleased with it.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[volvopaul]

I've not charged you Volvo prices in the past , are you doing your own services from now on ?

 

[captain tomas]

I wonder if we could ask Volvopaul for his thoughts?
My Tamd61a have the last ten years been running on 15W/40 semi synthetic apparently with no ill effects! (Revolution Oil)

 

[Ian MacAulay]

I done a thread like this a couple of months ago. shell rimula r4x was the favoured and smith and Allen done at a great price and I even found a 10% off code to and think it was £63 delivered

 

[Momac]

I've not charged you Volvo prices in the past , are you doing your own services from now on ?

Paul
I am just exploring DIY costs on this occasion .
If nothing else I feel I should be more hands on with changing filters.
.

.

 

[volvopaul]

Paul
I am just exploring DIY costs on this occasion .
If nothing else I feel I should be more hands on with changing filters.
.

.

Ok thought I'd done something wrong , thanks for passing on my number to the F33 behind you , finally got him sorted today .

 

[snowbird30ds]

I use one from witham oils that is stated as VDS3 spec as well as the usual specs, I think it is called extendol and is a long life fully synthetic job, I went for witham purely because the bearing supplier just along the road from me deal with them and is a helpful bloke.

 

[Momac]

I use one from witham oils that is stated as VDS3 spec .

Good suggestion. I have sent an enquiry as Witham Oils are at Lincoln which is not far from home. I don't want synthetic oil.

 

[Momac]

Ok thought I'd done something wrong , thanks for passing on my number to the F33 behind you , finally got him sorted today .

The owner of the other F33 seems very pleased with the outcome. Sounds like it is now running as it should.

 

[volvopaul]

The owner of the other F33 seems very pleased with the outcome. Sounds like it is now running as it should.

Yes it pulls its max revs but I thing the top speed is down , what do you get from yours flat out?

 

[Momac]

Yes it pulls its max revs but I thing the top speed is down , what do you get from yours flat out?

To be honest have never tried flat out. Cruises comfortably at 23knots at low 3000s rpm. I think it should dojust under 30kts. A4 props are standard. Maybe his props need attention.