engine oil

[miwanicki]

I just picked up a 1988 Rinker Captiva 206 with a 5.0 liter Chevy 305 V8. What type of oil should I use?

Thanks, Mike

 

[achris]

Use the oil specified in your owner's handbook. In the case of a Mercruiser, that will be a 25W-40 oil... Change it (and the filter) at 100 hours or yearly, which ever comes first. If you only do 20 hours in a year (or even only 2), then change it yearly (That's not optional, that's a must. Minimum annual oil change)...

Chris........

 

[tpenfield]

:welcome: to iBoats . . .

Yes, RTM to determine the proper weight oil. Your 'engine' is not a Chevy . . . so tell us more about what it actually is (Mercruiser, OMC, Volvo-Penta).

Also, have the Mods move your thread to the proper forum . . . it appears you posted in an outboard engine forum.

 

[Chris1956]

Sterndrive motors use either straight weight SAE 30 or SAE 40 (depending on temperature), or a multi-weight oil specifically designed for sterndrives.

Quicksilver (MerCruiser) makes a 25-40 for their motors. I would recommend that in synthetic or Dino version.

 

[miwanicki]

Chris,
Sorry about the wrong engine name. Its an OMC

 

[BRICH1260]

Engine oil has improved significantly since your engine was built. Any modern grade synthetic in the 10-15 to 40-50 weight would be more than fine for your engine.

 

[Chris1956]

Use Marine Sterndrive oil. It is specially formulated to the high load that your motor will be working at, all the time.

After all, compared to a car cruising down the highway, a sterndrive engine plowing thru the water is more like a car always climbing a hill.

 

[Lou C]

You'll get a bunch of different answers depending on who you ask...
if you can find it straight 30 or 40 is fine, as is Merc's 25/40 and some also use a 15w/40 like Rotella, Delo etc. On an older engine in this application I might not use syn due to the possibility of leaks.
I've used the Merc 25/40 for approx 8 years now and its performed well, easy to find here although a bit expensive, I think worth it.