Engine Oil Top Ups

[asteven221]

My two Volvo TAMD61A turbo diesels burn some engine oil over the course of the season, which I believe is normal enough. However when I go to top up I don't always have same manufacturers oil available and use whatever the chandler has for diesel engines. My point is can you happily mix synthetic, semi synthetic and mineral oils together? I am using a semi synthetic oil in my engines, but the top ups are often mineral oil as that's normally what's available. Am I causing premature wear or is it okay to do that? Oil appears to be a confusing subject as far as I can tell!

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[duncan]

what a good question....I alternate between GTD Magnatec and RimulaX in my Yanmar which inevitably means I have a bit of a mix but I hadn't thought it an issue. I am sure we will be advised by the forum oil experts shortly!

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[rickp]

What are Yanmar engines like? Reasonable parts costs and servicing?

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[rich]

ReDo not mix your oil!

nm

<hr width=100% size=1>rich ) <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.jersey-harbours.com>http://www.jersey-harbours.com</A>

 

[duncan]

ReDo not mix your oil!

now come on Rich - you can't just say that and leave it 'floating'.
Why? which types in particular?

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[duncan]

I like mine - seems designed for marine installation as everthing is in a logical place, but is pretty basic and non electronic so I can deal with it rather than plug it in to a computer.
Servicing is basic so far - oil, oil filters, fuel filters, belts and tappets! Cleaning soot out of the turbo at 250hrs was the first thing that messing about with minis in the 70's hadn't prepared me for!

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[Deleted User YDKXO]

Thats a question which has been bothering me since recently I topped up my engines with semi synthetic oil and, 2 hours later the port engine stopped. Fortunately this proved to be a fuel pump problem but I sweated for a couple of days having nightmares about all the oily bits disintegrating 'coz I used the wrong oil
Its obviously wise to use oil which conforms with the engine manufacturers viscosity/temp reccomendations but I cant see that putting a litre of 'different' oil in the engine can cause any harm. I mean you put your car in for service, you dont know what oil they've used and then you top up with whatever you can get and you dont hear of car engines going bang as a result
However, let the experts speak

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[MainlySteam]

I think one would find that most engines in commercial marine service stay with the same oil company, API classification and viscosity, if only because they buy their oil in bulk. Personally I do the same with my little engine (not the buying in bulk bit!) and would be especially inclined to with big expensive monsters, especially seeing it is hardly any sort of a problem at all to always buy the same oil if it is of a name brand.

Do Volvo specify synthetic oil for your engines?

John

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[Canboria]

You will find the answer to mixing different oils here <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.oilmaintenance.com/ml/200109/risk.asp>http://www.oilmaintenance.com/ml/200109/risk.asp</A>

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[rich]

Sorry i did not have time to list all the reasons not to mix oil.Canborias site says it all.

<hr width=100% size=1>rich ) <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.jersey-harbours.com>http://www.jersey-harbours.com</A>