Oil grade

cindersailor

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Will be installing a new Beta engine soon. The manual says that the oil should meet API CC, CD or CE spec and that any good quality non-turbo car diesel engine oil should be OK. However, the lowest spec oil I can find (Halfords etc) is API-CF. From what I have read using too good an oil can lead to problems and I am therefore keen to use the right stuff, particularly during the run-in period. What do others use, or am I worring unecessarily?
 
I would guess you would be OK with CF- main thing is not to have the very modern grades/synthetics or semi-synthetics.

I have a 23 yo Bukh 20 with CD specified & after some searching found Duckhams Classic Motor Oil in local Motorists Discount Centre which is CD rating & was £11.99 for 4.5l- so spec. is still out there.
 
Basically, any oil will do for your engine.

I used to use tesco own brand diesel engine oil or Castrol GTD (not magnatec) in my old boat with no problems at all.

You are worrying unnessisarily. Just use any mineral type oil. Do not use semi sythetic or synthetic oil. Local motor factors bog standard 15w-40 will be fine for the job.
 
Re: High spec oils

Yep, the BUkh engines are definitely 'non synthetic' too. Apart from that you can pretty well use what you like among the higher quality oils - at least, on the latest engines.
 
Re: High spec oils

Your engine will NEVER wear out, use any oil.

Am I right, your old engine wasnt actually worn out, it was just crapped out, ie. with rusted accessories, bits hanging off, lots of leaks and the alternator & starter were donald ducked, so you went for a new one.
 
I also asked the same question when I installed my Beta engine and I had difficulty getting Mineral oil. Beta say DON'T use synthetic. The first & second fill I used Castrol GTD (I think) it was a mineral oil and reasonably cheap but not always obtainable.
The last time I couldn't find Castrol & used Duckhams Q 15W-40 Mineral Diesel engine oil. It's API is CF, ACEA, B3. But again I had to search for it.
 
Ignore recommendations about particular brands. Branding is just designed to confuse you into paying more than you need to.

Stick entirely to the specification - the API letter recommended - then shop by price. Higher letters are often more expensive, but not necessarily better (or worse) for your engine.

Diesel oil specs will tell you all about what's what. Go to page 3 of the link.
 
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