Volvo Penta - What engine oil?

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Hi forumites,

I'm intending to keep my new (to me, but quite venerable) little yacht afloat and in use over the winter, and it's time for my first attempt at a service. The owner's manual for the VP 2001 engine (& MS2 gearbox) recommends CD quality oil of 20/W30 grade in temperatures above 10 degrees and 10W in temperatures below 10 degrees. I haven't been able to find either of these so far, but in any case I'd like an oil that's ok for year-round use.

I found a similar thread from a few years ago suggesting 15W/40 as a suitable alternative, but I'm not sure if that envisaged winter use. Any suggestions on what I should use?

Thanks...
 
down...2 greens said:
Hi forumites,

I'm intending to keep my new (to me, but quite venerable) little yacht afloat and in use over the winter, and it's time for my first attempt at a service. The owner's manual for the VP 2001 engine (& MS2 gearbox) recommends CD quality oil of 20/W30 grade in temperatures above 10 degrees and 10W in temperatures below 10 degrees. I haven't been able to find either of these so far, but in any case I'd like an oil that's ok for year-round use.

I found a similar thread from a few years ago suggesting 15W/40 as a suitable alternative, but I'm not sure if that envisaged winter use. Any suggestions on what I should use?

Thanks...
Click to expand...

If you download a manual from VP's website http://www.volvopenta.com/volvopent...lication_search/Pages/publication_search.aspx for the 2001 seies engines you will find that oil now recommened is 15W/40!

It will be slightly more viscous at operating temperature than 20W/30 but slightly less viscous when cold. So if anything slightly better than for an old well worn engine and also very slightly better when cold in winter conditions .
 
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The majority of us with similar engines use 15w-40 viscosity oil all year round. You will find it difficult to obtain API CD spec oil in UK now, although you can buy very similar API CC with that viscosity from Morris Oils. It is probably the case that most users have moved up a grade to API CF or CF-4 now, these are stocked by most car accessory shops and supermarkets.

Personally I would never use 10w- in a worn engine and would hesitate to use it in any 'traditional' engine, i.e. one with an unhardened crankshaft and copper-lead bearings, which yours is.
 
I had the same problem with my Yanmar and after going around the houses and checking all the forums, I ended up using Shell Helix HX5 15W-40 from carparts4less - 10lts (2x5lts as it worked out cheaper ) was only £32.74 delivered to my door!

tross
 
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