Engine Oil

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Peegee

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Have always done my own oil changes but this time the engine has just been run in after a full rebuild (Volvo 2002).
In the past I used just a good quality 15/40 diesel mineral oil, but rebuilder used genuine Volvo oil. As ever your opinions are much appreciated. What do you all use ? Is the volvo oil that much better ?
 
Odds are the rebuilder used any old oil but charged you for the Volvo stuff!

Volvo isn't an oil company. They simply buy the stuff in and brand it under their name. Any good oil will be fine.
 
A main Volvo service centre I know was using AC Delco oil a few years ago. But at the front of the shop they sold Volvo oil, which was actually BP oil with a sticker over the BP badge ie the BP badge was still on!
 
Ahh...So good to know that I'm not the only pessimist on the forum. I do change the oil more frequently than most people so it does not get to tired. What about supermarket brands. Any feelings ?
 
I think it's realism rather than pessimism! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I usually go for the "big names" with oils but I don't have a diesel engine. Others will be better equipped to answer that one than I am.
 
There was a debate on here a few months ago about the Tesco 15/40 which is CF grade. Seem to recall many people saying it was just fine. However, other made the point that with new or bigger engines it wasn't worth the risk to save £20 on oil but risk a £15k engine etc.
 
If you want good oil at a reasonable price,go to an Agricultural oil supplier you should be able to buy quality branded lubricating diesel oil in 25 Litre drums for a fraction of the marine suppliers prices,and you will have enough for years of oil changes,or perhaps split with another user and share the cost.
 
Would not like to disallusion you but I know people who work at ???????????? oil and would not touch there products with a barge pole.
 
some good articles in the past in YM which emphasised importance of changing oil regularly and especially pre lay up - we used to used volvo branded oil but felt sure we were being ripped off so took to buying big name (shell etc) appropriately graded oils from french hypermarkets which were much much cheaper but still left us reassured that we were using a quality oil , it's not just wine and beer that is cheaper in france!
 
The Volvo oil will lubricate no better or worse than the same grade and performance of oil from any other packer whether it is Shell, Halfords or Tesco.

The Volvo oil does include additional additive pack to help prevent corrosion in recognition of the time marine engines can lay idle.

My VP2002 is doing OK and has never had Volvo oil in it for the last 6 years at least (my ownership). It has now done well over 6,000 hours with no sign of major attention to the bottom end, though I had the head off last winter.

I forget the performance spec. required, but Halfords 15W/40 mineral oil for basic diesel engines is up to the job, usually bought on a 2 for 1 deal.

For max. corrosion resistance I always change oil before winter lay-up.

Edit

Forgot to add, a far bigger problem with low-tech engines like these can be to use a way overspecified oil, which anecdotally can lead to ring and bore issues amongst other things.
 
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