oil experiment

[jim rosenthal]

I've found a synthetic oil that is approved for use in marine diesels; Mobilgard 1 SHC, comes in 40wt only. A friend out in CA has been running it in Cummins powered generator sets with very good results. Since my Cummins engines are broken in, but don't have many hours yet, I'm going to try it in them and see how they do. I found it at Marine Oil Service, in Norfolk, VA. I'll keep you all posted on how this goes.

 

[Boatnut]

I've found a synthetic oil that is approved for use in marine diesels; Mobilgard 1 SHC, comes in 40wt only. A friend out in CA has been running it in Cummins powered generator sets with very good results. Since my Cummins engines are broken in, but don't have many hours yet, I'm going to try it in them and see how they do. I found it at Marine Oil Service, in Norfolk, VA. I'll keep you all posted on how this goes.

Could be a very expensive experiment if it doesn't work.

It might be a good idea to ask Cummins what they think about your experiment. They have probably tested synthetic oils, and can give you reccommendations.

 

[jim rosenthal]

The fellow that gave me the recommendation is a Cummins dealer.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Since they don't get many hours, synthetic is probably not worth it. You'll never wear those engines out in your lifetime anyway.

 

[Maynard Rupp]

But Sky.....Jim is going to live to at least 130. He is an emergency room doctor and those guys are set up for long living..Right Jim?

 

[saltshaker]

Since they don't get many hours, synthetic is probably not worth it. You'll never wear those engines out in your lifetime anyway.

X2 You'll need to change the oil for layup so unless you plan on putting a lot more hours on them, I don't see much benefit. Might be a slight advantage for cold climate start ups and start ups after extended periods, but the benefit is marginal in most regards.

 

[Canuck Dennis]

I have a neighbor who runs a pair of cummins in his charter boat and works them pretty hard, he was using synthetic for about 3 yrs and stopped this year, his research showed it was financially not a gain and wear factors appeared no real difference...YMMV...

I run my DD's here in Florida in the winter only, this year only 36 hrs on them before I have to head back for the season, but, I changed the oil anyway, it's always a personal choice and at least, you can change that anytime...it's what makes you feel best about your maintenance, overkill is not a bad thing.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Mostly I've been curious about it. I agree I don't get enough hours to justify it, but if I looked at boating that way, I'd have sold her a long time ago.

130? I'll settle for 100, providing all my friends get there with me. Don't want to be lonely in my old age.

This is a good time to try this; she's due for an oil change in both mains and genset, and I'm interested to see if they feel any different, smoke less, start easier, etc. I am also updating the seawater pumps as well, so they may run a bit cooler.

And compared to last year's work, this should be far less time-consuming and difficult. And not as hot either.

 

[MikeP]

I quit yearly oil changes some years ago. As noted, you do what you are comfortable with. Doing oil analysis and ensuring the engines are run-up to operating temps before winterizing is what I do. I am not trying to convince anyone else to do that.

Can't think of any reason that a current syn oil wouldn't be better than regular oil as far as overall performance is concerned though, as noted, if oil change intervals are not extended, it's really just an added expense for no real benefit.

Syn oils do reduce friction compared to standard oils so there is a slight performance (power) gain on auto engines. Whether that would apply to a low RPM diesel, I don't know.