I've been reading and participating on this forum for a few years and I do not recall seeing where anyone has recommended synthetic oil for our smaller deisels. Any particular reason why?
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Not recommended by mfg.
Clark: We have not seen it recommended by mfg. but there have been several owners that think it is worth it. If you are changing your oil based on the mfg. recommendations (at least annually), most of our engines have seen very few hours, so the oil has been hardly used. The advocates of syn. oil will claim that it is easier on your engine at start up. If that is the case, then WHY aren't the mfg. pushing it. I own two cars that recommend the Castrol syn. for the engines so that is what I use. I only use Delo 15-40 now. I used to use Delo 30 before Yamar changed their stance on multigrade.
Clark: We have not seen it recommended by mfg. but there have been several owners that think it is worth it. If you are changing your oil based on the mfg. recommendations (at least annually), most of our engines have seen very few hours, so the oil has been hardly used. The advocates of syn. oil will claim that it is easier on your engine at start up. If that is the case, then WHY aren't the mfg. pushing it. I own two cars that recommend the Castrol syn. for the engines so that is what I use. I only use Delo 15-40 now. I used to use Delo 30 before Yamar changed their stance on multigrade.
Thanks Steve. I shoulda checked the archives
Lots of posts regarding the topic and FAPP answers my question. I intend on changing my oil 2x per year and using the diesel 15W-40. Is there a consensus on oil for the tranny?
Lots of posts regarding the topic and FAPP answers my question. I intend on changing my oil 2x per year and using the diesel 15W-40. Is there a consensus on oil for the tranny?
Beware of synthetic oils
Clark, As was suggested by Steve, I would only use the oil recommended by the engine manufacturer. The only direct experience I have with synthetic oil is a friend used Mobil One in a Ford truck engine right after he purchased it and the results were not good. The engine was using a quart in less than a 1,000 miles in no time. I have an identical Ford truck engine with close to 90,000 miles and it uses practically no oil between changes using the recommended Motorcraft 5w30 weight oil. I think my friend by using the synthetic oil damaged his engine.
Clark, As was suggested by Steve, I would only use the oil recommended by the engine manufacturer. The only direct experience I have with synthetic oil is a friend used Mobil One in a Ford truck engine right after he purchased it and the results were not good. The engine was using a quart in less than a 1,000 miles in no time. I have an identical Ford truck engine with close to 90,000 miles and it uses practically no oil between changes using the recommended Motorcraft 5w30 weight oil. I think my friend by using the synthetic oil damaged his engine.
Synthetic oils work best in...
a sealed mechanical enviroment like a pump, compressor or transmission. It is wear and heat resistant. In a combustion engine it gets dirty and although it maintains its viscocity longer than regular oil it has to be replaced just as often so its not economically sound. I use regular 15-40w for the engine and 30 synthetic in the tranny.
a sealed mechanical enviroment like a pump, compressor or transmission. It is wear and heat resistant. In a combustion engine it gets dirty and although it maintains its viscocity longer than regular oil it has to be replaced just as often so its not economically sound. I use regular 15-40w for the engine and 30 synthetic in the tranny.
No Question About It
There is absolutely no doubt that synthetic oil is better at all of the things oil is supposed to do. The only question is it worth the extra expense? I work in the industry and am known as being well, cheap. I have accessed expense and benefits spoke to the petroleum engineers down the hall and come to the conclusion it is worth the extra expense; a $20 oil change is $50 but you only do it half as often or even longer. I do my own so it is even less of an issue. My '96 F-250 has 350,000 miles on it I use it to tow stuff around Texas it uses no oil runs great with zero maintaince issues. I use in everything I plan to keep. I can see the argument going both ways on a boat. The oil needs to be changed despite the hours on the motor so the extended use is not going to be a factor and no return on the expense but for an extra twelve bucks or so I'll spring for it. Am I wasting money perhaps but I wasted far more than that on women and hooch.
There is absolutely no doubt that synthetic oil is better at all of the things oil is supposed to do. The only question is it worth the extra expense? I work in the industry and am known as being well, cheap. I have accessed expense and benefits spoke to the petroleum engineers down the hall and come to the conclusion it is worth the extra expense; a $20 oil change is $50 but you only do it half as often or even longer. I do my own so it is even less of an issue. My '96 F-250 has 350,000 miles on it I use it to tow stuff around Texas it uses no oil runs great with zero maintaince issues. I use in everything I plan to keep. I can see the argument going both ways on a boat. The oil needs to be changed despite the hours on the motor so the extended use is not going to be a factor and no return on the expense but for an extra twelve bucks or so I'll spring for it. Am I wasting money perhaps but I wasted far more than that on women and hooch.
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