Pardon me but I am new to owning a sailboat that has an inboard diesel engine. Therefore, I have no idea what kind of oil it would take (Universal M25XP). Knowing a bit about diesel fuel, is a certain brand of "diesel oil" required. That is, oil made exclusively for marine diesel engines? I am lost on this one, but if I had to use some common sense here, I would think any automotive type lubricating oil is sufficient as long as it meets viscosity requirements. HELP! Bob Catalina 30
What Kind of Oil to Use?
- Thread starter Bob4203
- Start date
- Status
Oil for Yanmar 3GM30
Valvoline All Fleet Plus for Diesel and Heavy Duty Vehicles -SAE 30 API-CF-4, CF-2, CF/SL is what I use and all the boats at Lighthouse Landing that are serviced by them. Obtainable at Wal-Mart. This viscosity works fine in Kentucky and Tennessee area and should be good in Georgia.
Valvoline All Fleet Plus for Diesel and Heavy Duty Vehicles -SAE 30 API-CF-4, CF-2, CF/SL is what I use and all the boats at Lighthouse Landing that are serviced by them. Obtainable at Wal-Mart. This viscosity works fine in Kentucky and Tennessee area and should be good in Georgia.
Engine Maintainance
Bob, you have posted a few questions with regards to this engine. Marine diesel Direct, or Torresen marine, has the maintenance manual for just about every engine, I bought mine for $25, money well spent and I think you will find it answers most of the questions that will come up. Good Luck on the new boat john
Bob, you have posted a few questions with regards to this engine. Marine diesel Direct, or Torresen marine, has the maintenance manual for just about every engine, I bought mine for $25, money well spent and I think you will find it answers most of the questions that will come up. Good Luck on the new boat john
Thanks Everyone
Thanks Everyone. I have a copy of the user's manual and it simply refers to "SAE 30 HD or 10W40" for the M-25. Pretty vague regarding diesel engine oil specified or not. The recommendations provided are what I will go with. A visit to my K-Mart or Walmart is on my agenda and I will definitely stock up! Standby John, probably more questions to come. See ya on the Lake. Regards Bob Breezin II
Thanks Everyone. I have a copy of the user's manual and it simply refers to "SAE 30 HD or 10W40" for the M-25. Pretty vague regarding diesel engine oil specified or not. The recommendations provided are what I will go with. A visit to my K-Mart or Walmart is on my agenda and I will definitely stock up! Standby John, probably more questions to come. See ya on the Lake. Regards Bob Breezin II
Update for User's Manual
Bob, I have a M25XP and have followed some discussion threads on the Torrenson site that was mentioned in one of the above replies. According to the Torrenson folks, there have been a number of improvements in motor oils since our engines (and the manuals) were new. Torrenson suggests that a heavy duty (i.e. diesel) 15W40 oil, having ratings of CF, CF-4, and/or CG-4 is more appropriate than those grades recommended in the user manual. Such oil is readily available, such as most Western Auto, Walmart, K-Mart, etc. Based on what I've read, you definitely don't want to use a standard automotive oil as it lacks the additives that are needed to neutralize the acids produced by the diesel combustion process.
Bob, I have a M25XP and have followed some discussion threads on the Torrenson site that was mentioned in one of the above replies. According to the Torrenson folks, there have been a number of improvements in motor oils since our engines (and the manuals) were new. Torrenson suggests that a heavy duty (i.e. diesel) 15W40 oil, having ratings of CF, CF-4, and/or CG-4 is more appropriate than those grades recommended in the user manual. Such oil is readily available, such as most Western Auto, Walmart, K-Mart, etc. Based on what I've read, you definitely don't want to use a standard automotive oil as it lacks the additives that are needed to neutralize the acids produced by the diesel combustion process.
Thanks Ed
Good to get this valuable information. I plan on changing out the oil next week as the previous owner missed his spring maintenance. Regards Bob
Good to get this valuable information. I plan on changing out the oil next week as the previous owner missed his spring maintenance. Regards Bob
Chevron Delos or Shell Rotella
are kinda the old timers standard and favorite because they are generally available anywhere diesel fuel & diesels are found. And both have been used by commercial diesel fleets (both land & marine) for decades.
are kinda the old timers standard and favorite because they are generally available anywhere diesel fuel & diesels are found. And both have been used by commercial diesel fleets (both land & marine) for decades.
Diesel Engines NEED Oil Made for Diesels
Bob You need oil rated and specifically made for for diesel engines, in ADDITION to the viscosity issue (i.e., 10W40 or straight 30 weight, etc.). It is different oil than for gasoline engines. We use Mobil synthetic oil. Synthetic has the added advantage of reducing the carbon deposits from regular fossil oil. It's more expensive, but it's cheaper than having to replace your engine. Find the "rating" of the oil for diesel engines, it's up to an S now, I think. They started at A and have improved it ever since. Stu
Bob You need oil rated and specifically made for for diesel engines, in ADDITION to the viscosity issue (i.e., 10W40 or straight 30 weight, etc.). It is different oil than for gasoline engines. We use Mobil synthetic oil. Synthetic has the added advantage of reducing the carbon deposits from regular fossil oil. It's more expensive, but it's cheaper than having to replace your engine. Find the "rating" of the oil for diesel engines, it's up to an S now, I think. They started at A and have improved it ever since. Stu
You probably already know this but buy -C-
rated oil, not "S". The "C" specification is for diesel (compression ignition) and the "S" series is for gasoline (spark ignition). Within each category is a series of specifications like CC, CD, CE, CF, CG, CH, SG, SH, SJ, etc. Look at the API website for better info. If you just want the short version, this was from Mobil's website: Here is a short description of the diesel engine categories, starting with the most current. CH-4 is a proposed category at this time, which we anticipate being finalized during the first half of 1999. CH-4 is being developed to address engine design changes required to meet new 1998 EPA emission standards. CG-4 was developed for oils used in 1994 and later, low-emission, high-speed, four-stroke cycle diesel engines. It is also typically used for diesel engines using low-sulfur diesel fuel. Newer engines that are used on-highway or off-highway applications may call for CG-4 quality oils. One of the main advances in CG-4 versus previous quality levels is the ability of the oil to handle high levels of soot that is generated by some of these low-emission engines. CF-4 was established in 1991 to specify oil quality for severe- duty, low-emission, four-stroke diesel engines produced in 1991 or later. Oils meeting this category offered improved control of oil consumption and piston deposits versus previous quality levels. CF-4 has essentially replaced the CE quality rating. CF-2 was established at the same time to specify oil quality for severe duty two-stroke diesel engines. CF-2 has essentially replaced CD II. CF was established for service typical of off-road, heavy-duty diesel engines and engines operating on higher sulfur fuels. The CF quality level essentially replaced the CD level. CE was established in 1988 to specify oils for severe-duty diesel engines with turbochargers. This rating is essentially obsolete and oils meeting CF-4 are now used in applications calling for CE oils. etc, etc. I think "CI" rating is the latest certification....but I think any of the deisel oils above CE would be fine for the venerable Universal 25XP....the high in the "alphabet" the better the engine oil should be engineer (relatively speaking)...here is the new CI Oil specs http://www.infineum.com/information/heavyduty2.html Here is an "older" API flyer on grade of oil http://api-ep.api.org/filelibrary/ACF28.pdf ok....with all that said -- just stick to one good brand (I like shell rotella) and change it often and you should be fine. I only use a single weight (30W) and its fine ...you don't have to have a multi-weight and there are arguments against it...but for our application any good brand oils will be fine. Here is some interesting and informative reading http://www.vtr.org/maintain/oil-overview.html More trivia -- For oil listings start with 'S' people usually think "spark" but really its meaning is "Service" category, but most just think Spark-plug ignition For diesel oils, the first letter is 'C' and most think it is officially "Compression ignition" -- but it really comes from the "C" in "Commercial" category. http://www.chris-longhurst.com/carbibles/index.html?menu.html&engineoil_bible.html
rated oil, not "S". The "C" specification is for diesel (compression ignition) and the "S" series is for gasoline (spark ignition). Within each category is a series of specifications like CC, CD, CE, CF, CG, CH, SG, SH, SJ, etc. Look at the API website for better info. If you just want the short version, this was from Mobil's website: Here is a short description of the diesel engine categories, starting with the most current. CH-4 is a proposed category at this time, which we anticipate being finalized during the first half of 1999. CH-4 is being developed to address engine design changes required to meet new 1998 EPA emission standards. CG-4 was developed for oils used in 1994 and later, low-emission, high-speed, four-stroke cycle diesel engines. It is also typically used for diesel engines using low-sulfur diesel fuel. Newer engines that are used on-highway or off-highway applications may call for CG-4 quality oils. One of the main advances in CG-4 versus previous quality levels is the ability of the oil to handle high levels of soot that is generated by some of these low-emission engines. CF-4 was established in 1991 to specify oil quality for severe- duty, low-emission, four-stroke diesel engines produced in 1991 or later. Oils meeting this category offered improved control of oil consumption and piston deposits versus previous quality levels. CF-4 has essentially replaced the CE quality rating. CF-2 was established at the same time to specify oil quality for severe duty two-stroke diesel engines. CF-2 has essentially replaced CD II. CF was established for service typical of off-road, heavy-duty diesel engines and engines operating on higher sulfur fuels. The CF quality level essentially replaced the CD level. CE was established in 1988 to specify oils for severe-duty diesel engines with turbochargers. This rating is essentially obsolete and oils meeting CF-4 are now used in applications calling for CE oils. etc, etc. I think "CI" rating is the latest certification....but I think any of the deisel oils above CE would be fine for the venerable Universal 25XP....the high in the "alphabet" the better the engine oil should be engineer (relatively speaking)...here is the new CI Oil specs http://www.infineum.com/information/heavyduty2.html Here is an "older" API flyer on grade of oil http://api-ep.api.org/filelibrary/ACF28.pdf ok....with all that said -- just stick to one good brand (I like shell rotella) and change it often and you should be fine. I only use a single weight (30W) and its fine ...you don't have to have a multi-weight and there are arguments against it...but for our application any good brand oils will be fine. Here is some interesting and informative reading http://www.vtr.org/maintain/oil-overview.html More trivia -- For oil listings start with 'S' people usually think "spark" but really its meaning is "Service" category, but most just think Spark-plug ignition For diesel oils, the first letter is 'C' and most think it is officially "Compression ignition" -- but it really comes from the "C" in "Commercial" category. http://www.chris-longhurst.com/carbibles/index.html?menu.html&engineoil_bible.html
Oil for Diesels...
On Lake Lanier use a multigrade 15w40 of Delo 400 or Rotella T. Both available at Wallmart. Pat McCartin Inland Marine Diesel Buford, Ga
On Lake Lanier use a multigrade 15w40 of Delo 400 or Rotella T. Both available at Wallmart. Pat McCartin Inland Marine Diesel Buford, Ga
Mobil Synthetic?
Stu.... You posted using Mobil synthetic. Can you provide anymore specifics? Is it Mobil 1? Synthetics are far better and considering the oil changes are far apart, the cost for less friction and heat make it worthwhile. Can anyone else add to synthetic oil use. Thanks Bob
Stu.... You posted using Mobil synthetic. Can you provide anymore specifics? Is it Mobil 1? Synthetics are far better and considering the oil changes are far apart, the cost for less friction and heat make it worthwhile. Can anyone else add to synthetic oil use. Thanks Bob
My oppinion of synthetics.
In a turbo diesel, a synthetic oil is crucial due to the extreme heat created buy the turbo. In a high reving gas engine a synthetic oil has been proven to reduce wear. In the low reving, low stress engines we have in our boats, I see no advantage to using a synthetic oil. Bob you mentioned increasing the oil change interval by using synthetic. My experience on Lanier is, if the oil gets changed every year the engine is doing good. I can count on one hand the people I know who change their oil twice a year. I have worked on the boat you now own. There is no need to be concerned with that engine. Pat McCartin Inland Marine Diesel Buford, GA imd_ga@hotmail.com 404-513-4414
In a turbo diesel, a synthetic oil is crucial due to the extreme heat created buy the turbo. In a high reving gas engine a synthetic oil has been proven to reduce wear. In the low reving, low stress engines we have in our boats, I see no advantage to using a synthetic oil. Bob you mentioned increasing the oil change interval by using synthetic. My experience on Lanier is, if the oil gets changed every year the engine is doing good. I can count on one hand the people I know who change their oil twice a year. I have worked on the boat you now own. There is no need to be concerned with that engine. Pat McCartin Inland Marine Diesel Buford, GA imd_ga@hotmail.com 404-513-4414
- Status