What type of oil should I use

[Laker]

Hello,
I bought a 1986 10Meter Trojan Sedan Bridge in June this year. I'm just about to put her away for the winter and want to do an oil change. She has twin Crusader 350's. What is the best type of oil and filter to use? I live in South Western Ontario.

Thanks,
Doug

[todd brinkerhoff]

Oh boy. That's like asking what are the best tires for your car. As long as you're changing the oil every season, you're doing good. I use Rotella and Sierra filters. I've considered using amsoil as I use their ATF on my Velvet Drives and V-drives, but the Rotella's been staying clear, and it's easier to get, and definitely cheaper. Really any good oil will work. Stick with the recommended viscosity for your motor and region.

[prowlersfish]

My choice would be Rotella 15w-40 . I have use 15w-40 in my last 4-5 boats and in my current one . I use on most boats I service . Except one the ones with Detroit Diesel 2 strokes

[Landlocked]

I keep seeing Rotella on this forum, but when I went to buy it, I only saw Rotella for diesel engines. Are you guys using that? Or is there a Rotella specifically for gasoline engine use?

[todd brinkerhoff]

Nope...same oil...the diesel oil has more additives.

[The Dog House]

I keep seeing Rotella on this forum, but when I went to buy it, I only saw Rotella for diesel engines. Are you guys using that? Or is there a Rotella specifically for gasoline engine use?

If you look at the back of the Rotella bottle, you will see that it also has an SM rating which is a gasoline engine rating. It is rated for both diesel and gasoline engines but advertises/labels for diesel.

[prowlersfish]

I keep seeing Rotella on this forum, but when I went to buy it, I only saw Rotella for diesel engines. Are you guys using that? Or is there a Rotella specifically for gasoline engine use?

If you look at the back of the Rotella bottle, you will see that it also has an SM rating which is a gasoline engine rating. It is rated for both diesel and gasoline engines but advertises/labels for diesel.

Exactly

[Paul]

Rotella's a good choice. Myself, I use Amsoil synthetic.

[todd brinkerhoff]

Which one? Thinking of switching.

[Crazy Yankee]

We've been using Brad Penn 20/50 the last two seasons on our 10 Meter, and we run the engines hard. 2 to 4 days a week for 6 months each year. We run them at 3000 on charters, and 3000-3600 during tourneys. We've been running the WIX filter 51515. My mechanic also recommended adding a quart of Lucas Oil Stabilizer with each oil change. 2000+ hours on the engines, and compression is still strong.

[Paul]

Which one? Thinking of switching.

I use the Amsoil Dominator 15W-50 racing oil. Its pink and looks quite similar to trans fluid. Its a little pricey however when I think of my engine revving 3800 for hours at a time, the added protection gives me peace of mind.

[todd brinkerhoff]

Do you think with the advances of synthetic oil, that there is a continued need for heavy oils? The greatest wear is during cold start ups, and marine engines run cooler because of access to cooling water. Even though they are running at 3000 to 4000, its still less than racing motors, and certainly less heat. I've heard that full synthetics like 0w-30 (Amsoil's top synthetic) will increase efficiency and improve gas consumption while maintain the wear protection of heavier oils...thoughts?

[mikeandanne]

Do you think with the advances of synthetic oil, that there is a continued need for heavy oils? The greatest wear is during cold start ups, and marine engines run cooler because of access to cooling water. Even though they are running at 3000 to 4000, its still less than racing motors, and certainly less heat. I've heard that full synthetics like 0w-30 (Amsoil's top synthetic) will increase efficiency and improve gas consumption while maintain the wear protection of heavier oils...thoughts?

I have read some interesting info about what you are saying, one of the very reasons that I wanted to get my engine oil temps up. It seems that engines require oil to flow at a certain rate and that is achieved around 200 deg f oil temp , not water temp. The other end of the scale is most damage and wear takes place on startup so we have to consider both ends.Multi grade oils have their flow rates change on a sliding scale related to oil temp so all 30 wt oils regardless if straight weight or multi flow the same at 200 but vastly different at 75 deg.

After considering all of this I am going to go with Mobil 1 10w40 high mileage synthetic for the next change and if I was to change the oil for the winter only, then drain in the spring after layup I would use an off the shelf 5w20 cheapo for that.

All this being said I have for years used Rotella t in the boat but I just don't like the flow rates with the heavier oils, stress on oil pump drives etc with the raw water cooled engine. well that's my two cents worth,one thing more ,I don't push the boat mostly run like a trawler, if I was to run at 3500 all day long I would stick with the Rotella 15w40 or maybe a straight 30 weight-- Mike

[prowlersfish]

Do think there would be much difference of flow rate of 10w-40 vs 15w40 ?

[mikeandanne]

Do think there would be much difference of flow rate of 10w-40 vs 15w40 ?

There is enough difference to increase the cold start flow enough for me to give it a shot----- also the synthetic base stock is as I believe 40 grade and gets thinner when cold ,actually thinner than a Dino 10w-40 grade which starts out life as a 10 grade and viscosity improvers make it perform as a 40 grade at 212 F----- bobs the oil guy has some good reading on this----- I am just trying to get as much oil flow as possible.

Used 0w 40 in 700 hp engines, bearings , pump drives came out like new---- so we shall see next year if this works (GPH etc)------ Mike