I have a 1991 Hunter 28 with a 2GM20F Yanmar with approx. 600 hours. I have been using Delo 15-40 conventional motor oil. They say synthetic oil is a better choice -is it. Does the engine run cooler, quieter or last longer? Is it ok to put in an older engine, if so what is the suggested brand.
Synthetic Oil ?
- Thread starter Ron D
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Engine Oil
Ron, There are differences in oil, not all oils are the same. They are blended for specific purposes ie. 2-cycle, 4-cycle diesel, etc. Each container has lettered codes indicating the formulation. Yanmar publishes the minimum requirements for their engines. If the synthetic oil your considering meets all of the requirements your ok, if not don't use it. Compare codes to the delo diesel oil you have been using.
Ron, There are differences in oil, not all oils are the same. They are blended for specific purposes ie. 2-cycle, 4-cycle diesel, etc. Each container has lettered codes indicating the formulation. Yanmar publishes the minimum requirements for their engines. If the synthetic oil your considering meets all of the requirements your ok, if not don't use it. Compare codes to the delo diesel oil you have been using.
I doubt it!
Ron: I doubt that you would find any difference in two Yanmars that have been run on conventional oil vs. syn. once the motor is that old. You chances of developing leaks is the biggest thing that you need to worry about if you switch at this point. Yanmars are rated at 10,000 - 12,000 hrs if properly maintained. I don't think you are going to get much more out of these engines regardless of what you do if you do your scheduled maintenance. As far as running cooler, that is not what you are looking for. The diesel is designed to run at a prescribed temp. to maintain the optimum longevity. I doubt that syn. oil is going to do anything harmful to your engine other than the possibility of premature seal leaks. I also doubt that it is going to do anything for your pocket book except that it will releave you of about 3 - 4 times the cost of the Delo oil that you are now using.
Ron: I doubt that you would find any difference in two Yanmars that have been run on conventional oil vs. syn. once the motor is that old. You chances of developing leaks is the biggest thing that you need to worry about if you switch at this point. Yanmars are rated at 10,000 - 12,000 hrs if properly maintained. I don't think you are going to get much more out of these engines regardless of what you do if you do your scheduled maintenance. As far as running cooler, that is not what you are looking for. The diesel is designed to run at a prescribed temp. to maintain the optimum longevity. I doubt that syn. oil is going to do anything harmful to your engine other than the possibility of premature seal leaks. I also doubt that it is going to do anything for your pocket book except that it will releave you of about 3 - 4 times the cost of the Delo oil that you are now using.
Yanmar Recommendation
At one time Yanamar recommended NOT to use synthetic oil. Not sure if this is still true or not but my advise is stick to the manufacturer's suggested type of oil and change it often. Yanmar markets it own brand of oil and to the best of my knowledge does not market a synthetic. Follow minimum of manufactures recommended intervals for change and don't be afraid to cut recommended time in half. An oil change ever 100 hours is good but every 50 is even better. If you still insist on using a synthetic I would recommend a "blend" just because your engine is older. There are several oil companies that offer a blend of oil and synthetic mixed, just make sure the oil you use meets manufactures recommended specification. Bottom line here is I don't see any advantage to you using a synthetic oil and as others have suggested could in fact cause problems with premature oil seal failure (read oil leaks)
At one time Yanamar recommended NOT to use synthetic oil. Not sure if this is still true or not but my advise is stick to the manufacturer's suggested type of oil and change it often. Yanmar markets it own brand of oil and to the best of my knowledge does not market a synthetic. Follow minimum of manufactures recommended intervals for change and don't be afraid to cut recommended time in half. An oil change ever 100 hours is good but every 50 is even better. If you still insist on using a synthetic I would recommend a "blend" just because your engine is older. There are several oil companies that offer a blend of oil and synthetic mixed, just make sure the oil you use meets manufactures recommended specification. Bottom line here is I don't see any advantage to you using a synthetic oil and as others have suggested could in fact cause problems with premature oil seal failure (read oil leaks)
Stay with the same oil
Ron, You didn't mention if your engine was causing any problems, so why change oils and create a potential problem. From all the diesel seminars I've attended (Yanmar people), the same words are said. Once a new engine is started with a particular type of oil, stay with it. The engine seals get used to the chemistry and over the long haul the engine will operate longer with less problems.
Ron, You didn't mention if your engine was causing any problems, so why change oils and create a potential problem. From all the diesel seminars I've attended (Yanmar people), the same words are said. Once a new engine is started with a particular type of oil, stay with it. The engine seals get used to the chemistry and over the long haul the engine will operate longer with less problems.
Oils
Oils are my business and the comments above are valid re mineral oil vs synthetic and seals. Use the correctly rated diesel engine oil as these formulations contain higher levels of detergents and dispersants specifically for burning diesel fuel. The reason for using synthetic are two fold. 1, Longer oxidation life which in a diesel is irrelevant as it is designed to hod soot in suspension until the xext change and 2, Higher engine output due to the more uniform chemistry. If you are runing a NASCAR engine, fair comment. In a boat diesel, again its irrelevant. A furthe benefit of correctly formulated diesel engine oils is they contain higher levels of ZPPD (an anti wear additive) than gasoline formulations, just ask anyone running a collector car on modern engine oils about accelerated valve wear due to the reduction in ZDDP over recent years.
Oils are my business and the comments above are valid re mineral oil vs synthetic and seals. Use the correctly rated diesel engine oil as these formulations contain higher levels of detergents and dispersants specifically for burning diesel fuel. The reason for using synthetic are two fold. 1, Longer oxidation life which in a diesel is irrelevant as it is designed to hod soot in suspension until the xext change and 2, Higher engine output due to the more uniform chemistry. If you are runing a NASCAR engine, fair comment. In a boat diesel, again its irrelevant. A furthe benefit of correctly formulated diesel engine oils is they contain higher levels of ZPPD (an anti wear additive) than gasoline formulations, just ask anyone running a collector car on modern engine oils about accelerated valve wear due to the reduction in ZDDP over recent years.
Synthetic Oil Use
I agree with Vic's comments.. The new diesel synthetic oils are fine to use in your Yanmar. I use Shell Rotella T Synthetic (available at WalMart) in my '85 model 3 GMF.. If you check out the API rating, CL-4+ in this case, it far exceeds the Yanmar recommendation. The real benefit of synthetic oil is that it has a much higher temperature tolerance.. In a boat, where the oil in teh pan pan is not cooled by air rushing by as in a car or truck, temperature resistance is a real plus! It also has better anti wear additives.. Not a significant cost adder!
I agree with Vic's comments.. The new diesel synthetic oils are fine to use in your Yanmar. I use Shell Rotella T Synthetic (available at WalMart) in my '85 model 3 GMF.. If you check out the API rating, CL-4+ in this case, it far exceeds the Yanmar recommendation. The real benefit of synthetic oil is that it has a much higher temperature tolerance.. In a boat, where the oil in teh pan pan is not cooled by air rushing by as in a car or truck, temperature resistance is a real plus! It also has better anti wear additives.. Not a significant cost adder!
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