Volvo D4 oil - mineral or synthetic?

[ozzie]

I am just starting to get organised for the upcoming season, and have been looking at the different engine oils for my 2014 D4 300s. I think last time i purchased oil it was VDS3, but now its VDS4.5. I believe the genuine Volvo oil is mineral? but most after market oil suppliers are selling semi synthetic or synthetic. Which would be the most suitable? I am no mechanic so all advice gratefully received!

 

[SC35]

I believe the Volvo oil is a mineral based oil with additives.
Shell Rimula and Mobil Delvac are also VDS4.5 compliant.

I'm not sure that mineral or synthetic makes much difference in a boat with typical leisure use - 50 hours or so then you change it.
Maybe a different story if you are doing hundreds of hours each season.

My only recommendation would be not to buy a 20 Litre tub unless you have some sort of special dispensing equipment.
I did this once for reasons of economy.
Never again.
It went everywhere apart from where it was supposed to go.

 

[Momac]

My only recommendation would be not to buy a 20 Litre tub unless you have some sort of special dispensing equipment.
I did this once for reasons of economy.
Never again.
It went everywhere apart from where it was supposed to go.

I keep a 5L oil can and use that together with a funnel . An old sheet on the engine bay floor captures the inevitable drips.

 

[Momac]

 

[bowler]

I keep a 5L oil can and use that together with a funnel . An old sheet on the engine bay floor captures the inevitable drips.

Likewise.

 

[ChromeDome]

As always, you can use your favourite brand as long as it meets the manufacturer's requirements.

Volvo describes that

VDS 4.5 is a high-performance HD engine oil that provides excellent protection and fuel economy. VDS-4.5 provides improved engine cleanliness and protection against piston deposits through the use of high-quality base oils and additive components. VDS-4.5 is available in two viscosities. VDS-4.5 15W40 and VDS-4.5 10W-30. VDS-4.5 15W-40 is fully backwards compatible with all older Volvo Penta diesel engines. It is also recommended for certain petrol engines. See operating instructions/service bulletin.

Viscosity: SAE 15W-40

Quality: VDS-4.5 API CK-4/CJ-4/CI-4 Plus/CI-4/ECF-3/ACEA E9/E7

On that basis, as others have mentioned, there are many options.

 

[Scubadoo]

Can you mix vds3 with vds 4.5? Just thinking the transition from vds3 to vds4.5, you never get all the old oil out etc.

 

[ChromeDome]

I wouldn't bother.

As per Volvo the oils are backwards compatible.

 

[ozzie]

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these are both VDS3, I am trying to find VDS4.5..

 

[ChromeDome]

VDS 4.5 in UK

 

[Momac]

these are both VDS3, I am trying to find VDS4.5..

What does the owners manual say you need?

 

[madabouttheboat]

VDS3 is mineral and VDS4.5 is synthetic. VP no longer sell VDS3 oil so all Volvo engines now get VDS4.5 if a Volvo agent is doing the service.

On modern engines with common rail I would stick with a VDS4.5 oil, but would happily use a non Volvo oil rated to VDS3 on older engines.

 

[ozzie]

this is the first service for us on this boat (2015 Sealine S380). for the last 10 years have had D4 engines and it was always VDS3. Engineer said to get VDS4.5 mineral oil for this one, but doing some research it looks as if it is no problem to change to synthetic and there are plenty of suppliers available. The only mineral oil seemed to be Shell Rimula RT4L - the T being the important letter..

 

[Momac]

The example below is vds 4.5 in case you are interested

 

[PaulRainbow]

TAURUS SHPD E9 15W-40

 

[ozzie]

I went for the Smith and Allan Endura T4L ordered direct. They had a 10% discount code so bought 40 litres for £139.44 with delivery!