Which lube oil?

[SeaEric]

I have Cat 3208 ta's rated at 355 HP. My mechanic says 15w 40. I have a dock neighbor who said "No multi viscosity", use straight 40w. Any suggestions from the experts here?

 

[Boss Lady]

go here and down load the pdf on chevron delo 400, it meets the new Caterpillar CJ-4 oil specifications for off road turbo charged 4 stroke diesels. http://www.chevron.com/products/prodserv/fuels/motoroils.shtm

 

[jim rosenthal]

Call T&S Marine Engines in Crisfield and ask Steve. He has probably rebuilt more of these than anyone in MD. He will know what to do.

 

[Avenger]

At the risk of being offensive.... RTFM.

Mine specs 15W-40. 1982 vintage 3208T 260 HP. Should be about the same as yours w/o the aftercooler. As I recall, but don't have the FM in front of me, SAE 40 is acceptable also but the 15W-40 is preferred.

 

[captainwjm]

There was a discussion of this at Boatdiesel.com. When the earlier 3208's were made - mine are 1987 models - the specs from CAT were straight 30 or 40 weight. Later engines specified 10w30 or 10w40 - not because the engines changed, but because of changes in the oil. According to the pros at BoatDiesel [and not an amateur like me], you can switch from straight 30 or 40 to the multi-viscosity or, continue to use what has worked for you this long. I see no reason to change, but if for some reason I can't get enough straight 40, I wouldn't sweat using the other. My $.02.

 

[SeaEric]

Thanks guys for the friendly suggestions. Any thoughts on changing over to synthetic oil at this point? They have around 1800 hours on them.

 

[Avenger]

The only way to justify the increased cost of synthetic is by extending oil-drain intervals using an intesive oil analysis program. Since most marine engines spend more time sitting than running, the more frequent oil change requirements of non-synthetics can only be a benefit in terms of getting rid of acids and moisture that contaminate the oil when the engines aren't run often. IMHO there is nothing to be gained except cost.

 

[Maynard Rupp]

I use Shell Rotella 15 W 40 oil in both my gas and diesel engines. It meets everyones specs including Detroit's, and is highly recommended by everyone i have asked that question of. Our Hatteras has 454 Crusaders and they get Rotella also. I am told that it can even serve as a good laxative. Haven't tried that yet.

 

[Paul45c]

Just don't run the multigrade in DD 2-strokes...you'll chew oil like nobody's business.

 

[jim rosenthal]

For what synthetic oils cost, you can just change the oil more frequently, which is just as effective. I would not bother with them, and I am not going to put them in my new engines. Nor do I use them in any of my cars. Not worth it.

 

[Cleaniedini]

Hey,
I work on ships that run about 24/7 in NYC. They are run really hard. We have extended oil changes and run 40 or 30# oil. But we have block heaters on all the time and the ER doesn't ever get much below like 80F. If you plan on operating in wide temp ranges or may start your boat when it is cold multi visco stuff will work. If you run it like a ship use reg weight. As for synth oil, if you have the change on an older engine run a blend. I ran mobil one in an alfa romeo with 180,000 miles (alfas usually get rebuilt every 60,000 miles or so... haha... I think it is good for stuff like that but not worth it if you don't run the boat ALOT. Moisture is gonna kill any oil. Spend your money on a Lube Oil Purifier... Those are cool.

Regards
Dini
USCG 3rd Engineer Unlimited