Oil for Volvo Penta 130S saildrive

[yotter]

Is there any recommended oil to use for a 130S saildrive (or is it the 120S, its certainly the one which VP changed their guidance for) , rather the very fine VP badged engine oil (which I still use in the engine). I am aware that VP recommend the same oil as the engine (VP2030D). Presumable, since hopefully the gearbox never gets hot, a lower spec (and cheaper oil should suffice?). I change the oil every year at the annual liftout (around 100 hours running), perhaps not totally necessary but a good opportunity to check for water ingress.
Angus

 

[VicS]

Is there any recommended oil to use for a 130S saildrive (or is it the 120S, its certainly the one which VP changed their guidance for) , rather the very fine VP badged engine oil (which I still use in the engine). I am aware that VP recommend the same oil as the engine (VP2030D). Presumable, since hopefully the gearbox never gets hot, a lower spec (and cheaper oil should suffice?). I change the oil every year at the annual liftout (around 100 hours running), perhaps not totally necessary but a good opportunity to check for water ingress.
Angus

Most people probably use the same oil as they use in the engine rather than keep two types of oil when one will suffice. However if you can save a significant amount of money on 2- 3 litres by using a less expensive oil and have the space to keep both then go for it!

 

[pvb]

Presumable, since hopefully the gearbox never gets hot, a lower spec (and cheaper oil should suffice?).

Even in Scotland, this would surely be seen as being unnecessarily tight? The saildrive contains so little oil you might as well use the correct stuff.

 

[yotter]

Even in Scotland, this would surely be seen as being unnecessarily tight? The saildrive contains so little oil you might as well use the correct stuff.

Difficult to argue with that one, will probably go for VP 15W/40, or the equivalent Yanmar oil, since that is what the local chandlery stocks. As you say, probably just being tight
Angus

 

[richardbrennan]

I previously had a 2030 in my boat which used a synthetic oil with a very peculiar smell in the saildrive. I now have a D1-30 which uses engine oil, I would check the specification in the manual.

 

[Tranona]

I previously had a 2030 in my boat which used a synthetic oil with a very peculiar smell in the saildrive. I now have a D1-30 which uses engine oil, I would check the specification in the manual.

130 drive was originally ATF, but changed to engine oil about 4 years ago.

 

[VicS]

I previously had a 2030 in my boat which used a synthetic oil with a very peculiar smell in the saildrive. I now have a D1-30 which uses engine oil, I would check the specification in the manual.

The original manual will be out of date . What applies is the VP service bulletin which was issued more recently ( Oct 2010) and which is reflected in the oil spec chart available on VP website. http://www.volvopenta.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/Penta/Misc/drive_1_oil_rec_7745608.pdf