Which engine oil to use on BMW D12 marine diesel engine

[gawie]

Hello forum

I have an old BMW D12 (Hatz) diesel engine due for an oil change.

The online manual found on the net shows the following:
Engine oil: HD-API CC/CD

CC/CD is old specs and discontinued. Will normal mutligrade 15W-40 be ok or should I look at something like a monograde SAE30?

I'm lost...

[newhaul]

I used delo 400 15-40 in mine. The most important part is to use an oil that is for diesel engines

[gawie]

Thanks mate!

[newhaul]

No worries glad to help

[a64pilot]

15-40 is fine, but then so is straight grade, and if your where it's warm all the time, straight grade may even be preferred, I'd say you can't go wrong with either


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[Dockhead]

Hard question, much discussed on here! There's a good article on the subject by Vyv Cox, called "oil.for marine engines", or something like that. Google it up and read it. IIRC, CF4 is the nearest substitute for CD, and the right grade is important.

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[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Hard question, much discussed on here! There's a good article on the subject by Vyv Cox, called "oil.for marine engines", or something like that. Google it up and read it. IIRC, CF4 is the nearest substitute for CD, and the right grade is important.

Yes YRC, API CF-4 is the official replacement for API CD.
➥ https://coxengineering.sharepoint.co...htengines.aspx

[onewadd]

Just my thoughts here as an ASE Master Tech as well as GM Master Tech including small and medium diesel engines. I would never use a single grade oil in any engine, gas or diesel. The multi-grade oils have been around my entire 40+ years as a tech and spec'd by most of the major manufactures. The most important reason is it's ability to maintain correct viscosity over a wide range of temperatures. If you don't have a choice then you do what you have to but only as long as you have to.

There are plenty of folks that use single viscosity oil and I don't intend to say they are wrong, it's what I call the Ford/Chevy issue. Here is a link that I think explains things pretty well.

Oil Viscosity

[Cadence]

If you can get Rotella T 15W 40. Use it. I can't vouch for their synthetic marketed under the same name.

[Sailorbob8599]

Originally Posted by gawie

Hello forum

I have an old BMW D12 (Hatz) diesel engine due for an oil change.

The online manual found on the net shows the following:
Engine oil: HD-API CC/CD

CC/CD is old specs and discontinued. Will normal mutligrade 15W-40 be ok or should I look at something like a monograde SAE30?

I'm lost...

Hello Gawie, welcome to CF ... is this a boat you have recently acquired with the BMW D-12 engine ... if so, do you have a source for spare parts ... I too have a D-12 in my boat, a good engine, which I purchased new.
I recently had to deal with a leaking fuel pump diaphragm and found replacement parts no longer available. I had to buy a complete new (expensive) pump. The parts came from Germany, so I took the opportunity to buy 6 Oil Filters, plus a load of gaskets and other miscellaneous items. This engine was in storage for many years and has accumulated less than 10 hours total running time since going into service this August 2015.
Other than the diaphragm drying out, it runs well and I foresee no problems.
As for oil, I just use the straight mono-grade SAE 30 for Diesels and have experienced no problems. This engine relies on splash lubrication (no oil pump) so make sure it is always full on the dipstick.

[a64pilot]

I was curious and found this, may help?

BMW D7 MARINE ENGINE WEB FORUM

Seems oil change interval is 50 hours

[newhaul]

Bob here are the people I deal with concerning parts for BMW marine engines
Home - V12 Engineering
They are local to you in BC

[boeing1]

I use Rotella T 15w40, I do not know if I would switch to synthetic with a high time engine, however I know several people that have with no problems.

[a64pilot]

With a splash lubricated engine, I'd go with a premium brand of straight grade oil and change it frequently. The oil will never be close to being broken down, but with no oil filter your changing it out for clean oil.


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[Sailorbob8599]

Originally Posted by newhaul

Bob here are the people I deal with concerning parts for BMW marine engines
Home - V12 Engineering
They are local to you in BC

Hi Newhaul, yes, thanks for this ... Richard Langtry of V-12 Engineering is the person I contacted initially, but in August, he was in the midst of moving to N.Vancouver from Barry ON. He very kindly arranged to have the parts shipped to me, direct from Germany. Very good people to deal with, it seems his brother King and I both worked for the same mega corporation in London ON in the 80's and Richard put me back in touch with him.
BTW where are you located and how long have you owned your BMW D-12?