Volvo Saildrives - Type of Oil?

[Cruisin Cat]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some advice on the type of oil for Volvo saildrives.

I hauled out about 2 months ago and, amongst other jobs, replaced the oil in my 130S-B Volvo saildrives. Refilled with ATF as per the manual. Now the local volvo dealer has told me that volvo has changed the oil spec and I should be using 15W-40 engine oil in my sail drives....so looks like another haul out!

I just wanted to ask what oil others are using in their Volvo saildrives....has everyone changed over to 15W-40?

Barrie

[Jorma]

I got the same recommendation from Volvo, but used the old ATF for one more season - with no problems. This winter we will change to the same oil as in the engine (D2-55) as recommended by Volvo dealer.

[sctpc]

when I bought my boat last Jan I got told when I changed the oil in the saildrive use engine oil 15W-40 so I did, Why? I did not ask as I have never bothered to read the manual I thought it was normal.

[LAMOUISSE34]

I asked to 5 differents dealers in Florida.
Including the one who was in charge of the maintenance of the catamaran before I purchased it.
-I received 3 different types of answer.
-synthetic
-ATF
- standard 15/40

I forgot who won.

It is one of the reasons why I love Volvo.
Consistent,reliable and close to their customers.

[MARINE ENGINNER]

Originally Posted by Cruisin Cat

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some advice on the type of oil for Volvo saildrives.

I hauled out about 2 months ago and, amongst other jobs, replaced the oil in my 130S-B Volvo saildrives. Refilled with ATF as per the manual. Now the local volvo dealer has told me that volvo has changed the oil spec and I should be using 15W-40 engine oil in my sail drives....so looks like another haul out!

I just wanted to ask what oil others are using in their Volvo saildrives....has everyone changed over to 15W-40?

Barrie

dear crusin cat for your saildrive volvo recommends SAE 15W40 only , they changed it from ATF . 15W40 is the only oil you should put on your next haul out. if you like i can send you the technical bulletin

M.E

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by MARINE ENGINNER

dear crusin cat for your saildrive volvo recommends SAE 15W40 only , they changed it from ATF . 15W40 is the only oil you should put on your next haul out. if you like i can send you the technical bulletin

M.E

+1. I've run into many looking for a different answer to this question. Why?

[vientoman]

would this also apply to Yanmar saildrives? ( SD20)

[MARINE ENGINNER]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

+1. I've run into many looking for a different answer to this question. Why?

dear belize sailor
i start with atf DX III - atf has kinematic viscosity at 40 celsius 32cst and at 100celsius 7.55cst

15w40 on the other hand has at 40celsius 107cst and at 100celsius 14.1cst
higher temperature "thinner" oil and opposite , higher number of viscosity "thicker" oil

what i mean with all these numbers blablabla that the saildrive oil while you are motoring works between 50 to 55 celsius max you will see it and 58 but with sea temp around 33-35 celsius, so higher viscosity thicker the oil better film between the discs , they changed it because they had slippage problems bettwen the discs ,temperature of the atf oil was rising and the oil film between the discs was not thick enough.you cannot put thicker and thicker and more thicker oil you have to test it because you have built of presure in the saildrive and they tried to find the best oil for stopping the slippage and not bursting the seals

M.E

[MARINE ENGINNER]

Originally Posted by vientoman

would this also apply to Yanmar saildrives? ( SD20)

what is the model of your yanmar?
for 1GM10C recommends API CC or greater or SAE 10w30
for 2YM15,3YM20,3YM30 recommends API GL4 or GL5 and SAE
80W90 or 90

M.E

[sailcruiser]

For the Volvo definitely 15w-40. From the source:

http://www.marinepartsexpress.com/sa...eoilchange.pdf

The older saildrives have the same recommendation.

I'm no help on the yanmar drive.
SC

[boatman61]

Come on.... its like cars.. work on the temp your playing in..
After that its the ******** you believe.. synthetic whatever

[colemj]

Originally Posted by sailcruiser

The older saildrives have the same recommendation.

No, the older drives had different recommendations depending on the exact model/year. Some had motor oil, some had synthetic gear oil and some had ATF. It is confusing, but very important to use the correct lubricant.

Mark

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by Cruisin Cat

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some advice on the type of oil for Volvo saildrives.

I hauled out about 2 months ago and, amongst other jobs, replaced the oil in my 130S-B Volvo saildrives. Refilled with ATF as per the manual. Now the local volvo dealer has told me that volvo has changed the oil spec and I should be using 15W-40 engine oil in my sail drives....so looks like another haul out!

I just wanted to ask what oil others are using in their Volvo saildrives....has everyone changed over to 15W-40?

Barrie

Change your Sail Drive fluid from ATF to SAE 15W- 40 at your next oil change

Volvo Penta recommends that all S-drives change from ATF oil to engine oil SAE 15W-40 at next oil change.

See attached bulletin 44-1-85_Ver2_S_Drive.pdf below

Please download the new Operator’s Manual which includes the new requirement.

Here is Volvo Penta’s new D1, D2 Engine Operator’s Manual (pdf download)
7748799 09-2010 Which also covers the SAE 15W- 40 on page 69 and 71

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tml#post599691

[colemj]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

Volvo Penta recommends that all S-drives change from ATF oil to engine oil SAE 15W-40 at next oil change

To be clear, that recommendation is only for the 130S models and not for other models of Volvo saildrives.

Mark

[tamicatana]

Colemj is correct: the various models of Volvo saildrive do vary, as I was told by a Volvo tech