How to tell if oil is mineral or synthetic?

[brick75]

I've got a 2005 Volvo 5.0GL, and synthetic oil is recommended but not required. I bought the boat used, and don't know what kind of oil has been used in it so far. Since they don't recommend switching from synthetic to mineral, I was wondering if there is a way to tell what kind is in there now?

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: How to tell if oil is mineral or synthetic?

I M H O I would just stick with the synthetic [ Opening a can of worms I know by that statement with this forum ] Most tests show its superior to mineral But yeah $$$. OK everyone I know I know.................go ahead

 

[Alpheus]

Re: How to tell if oil is mineral or synthetic?

Taste it.

Run what you want. Just drain the pan real good change the filter and put in your oil of choice. (That the manufacture recommends of course...)

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: How to tell if oil is mineral or synthetic?

Since they don't recommend switching from synthetic to mineral

Oh boy, another oil thread!


Who are "they"?

In reality, you can switch back and forth every oil change if it "turns you on" and you can mix them too.


Just change the oil and put whatever you decide to use in it.


Cheers,


Rick

 

[Adirondack]

Re: How to tell if oil is mineral or synthetic?

I'm a believer in synthetic oil simply because I get long service out of everything I run it in. Whether it's longer than if I used mineral with good maintainance I couldn't really say. Just an opinion. I'm NOT a believer in not being able to switch back. I think that's the manufacturers way of insuring they continue to sell you that $5 a quart stuff after they get you once.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: How to tell if oil is mineral or synthetic?

I'm NOT a believer in not being able to switch back.

Yeah......but it IS a religion for some people though!!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: How to tell if oil is mineral or synthetic?

I'm NOT a believer in not being able to switch back.

You have two "Nots" in there so I assume they cancel each other. If you take them out you say "I'm a believer in being able to switch back." That right? I agree with you if it is.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: How to tell if oil is mineral or synthetic?

You have two "Nots" in there so I assume they cancel each other. If you take them out you say "I'm a believer in being able to switch back." That right? I agree with you if it is.

 

[scipper77]

Re: How to tell if oil is mineral or synthetic?

I'm under the impression that switching between synthetic and regular is only an issue with the out-drive oil.

I am a believer in synthetic for my car. I really don't think the oil in my boat sees enough use between oil changes for syn to make a difference.

 

[egclassic]

Re: How to tell if oil is mineral or synthetic?

As long as you change it regularly, it does not matter. Just depends on how much you want to spend. If synthetic makes you feel better, use it.

 

[Adirondack]

Re: How to tell if oil is mineral or synthetic?

You have two "Nots" in there so I assume they cancel each other. If you take them out you say "I'm a believer in being able to switch back." That right? I agree with you if it is.

Sometimes my mind starts running at 50 knots, and my thoughts can get all tied in knots, which may lead to too many nots. To untie the knot I seem to have created let me state that I can change back to mineral oil any time I want. I hope I have knot left any confusion. oops.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: How to tell if oil is mineral or synthetic?

I get that!

 

[AdellAdam]

Re: How to tell if oil is mineral or synthetic?

The only major difference between Syn and standard is that syn has identical molecule size. Standard oil has all sorts of different sizes of molecules. If the engine is a bit worn out do NOT use syn as it will leak easier and will not stay in the bearings as well. As far as switching back and forth, go right ahead. Syn oil will run cleaner and is better if you plan on running lots of hours every year. But you should change your oil in spring regardless so if you're not running that many hours, just stick to regular stuff cuz it will be cheaper and will work just as well. Syn oil also runs about twice the time regular oil does and it is usually cleaner. So you be the judge. I run a syn blend in my trucks because I abuse the snot out of them. The boat gets regualr oil because I don't use it every day, so it would be a waste to run anything else. Syn is also better for cold starts. And by cold I mean well below freezing. As for myself, I won't run a full syn oil because I feel it's a waste of money.

 

[Leisure]

Re: How to tell if oil is mineral or synthetic?

Who are "they"?

In reality, you can switch back and forth every oil change if it "turns you on" and you can mix them too.

"They" are Volvo Penta....The OEM who probably knows a thing or two about the products "they" design and build.

As quoted from a Volvo Operators Manual: "Switching between mineral based oils and synthetic oils is not recommended"

And yes, I am painfully aware of the various opinions, threads, and treatises ad nauseam on the subject of engine oils. We also all know the guy whose cousin mixes "lighter fluid" with "Crisco cooking oil" and his engine has "run just fine for over thirty years". So yes, there is more than one way to skin the oil cat. My issue is with encouraging a poster--who may or may not know a thing about his boat or engines in general--to disregard the information in his operators manual.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: How to tell if oil is mineral or synthetic?

You can read forever on the subject Google ; Benefits of synthetic oil or ; synthetic vs mineral oil or however you want to word it

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: How to tell if oil is mineral or synthetic?

to answer the OP's original question:

put it in the freezer over the weekend

 

[LAC_STS]

Re: How to tell if oil is mineral or synthetic?

Pic says @ -35 degrees Celsius.

I doubt he has a freezer that cold.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: How to tell if oil is mineral or synthetic?

"They" are Volvo Penta....The OEM who probably knows a thing or two about the products "they" design and build.

"They" don't build the engine.....and they sure didn't design it.......

This is really "Much ado about nothing".

Marine engines do not fail because someone switched from Syn oil to regular or vice versa.......


They also don't "last" longer.

They fail for "other reasons", like not keeping enough oil in the sump, NOT changing the oil (with ANY TYPE) for YEARS.......leaving water in the block(and it freezes), not changing the risers/gaskets/manifolds when they should, the list goes on..............

Oil type is so far down the list that it is NOT significant(or not even on the list).

Use what ever makes you feel good and you'll be in a VERY large "club".........the "I use XXX oil and I've never had a problem" club!!

In fact.......we're all in that club!!

Pic says @ -35 degrees Celsius.

I doubt he has a freezer that cold.

Yeah, I'd like to see a pleasure boat that operates in -35C weather too!!



Cheers,


Rick