synthetic oil use okay?

[6500steve54]

I want to use Mobil 1 10w30 synthetic in my 1982 Merc 330.
It calls for straight 30wt, but I can't find that in synthetics.
Does anyone see a problem with using the 10w30? Thanks
Steve.:huh:

 

[BonBini]

What have you used in the past and why the switch? ...Ron

 

[tdappleman]

Using synthetics or synthetic blends is not a problem - the key is using an oil which has an FC-W rating. The marine specific oils handle moisture as well as other items differently than their automotive counterparts.

 

[Mr Salt]

10-30W says the oil will act like 10 weight when it is hot but get no heavier than 30 weight when it is cold. What you put in you engine is your call but it seems to me as if 10W oil is too thin because the manufacturer calls for 30W in his specs. As engines get lder one also tends to user heavier weight oil than oriogiunally used you are going lighter. does this make sense?

 

[WTF]

Royal Purple makes a straight 30W synthetic oil. You may have to look for it or just call Royal Purple and ask where there is a retailer that carries it.

 

[Summerwind]

I agree with Mr. Salt, 10w30 is inadequate in your engine. Mercury now has a full synthetic oil 20w40 that it recommends for all Mercruiser engines. It's a little pricey, especially when your engines take 9 quarts each (like mine) but I like the extra protection of full synthetic oil.

Another option would be AMSoil, http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/wcf.aspx.

Merc now recommends 25/40 (2008 manual)
As long as you're above 50 degrees operating temp you should be able to use any 40W

 

[6500steve54]

Thanks for all the info everyone, I like the added protection of synthetics thats the reason for the change. I am going with the Mercruiser full synthetic. Have a great day all.

 

[tcason]

Mercruiser Oil break down price per quart:
"Dino" oil $6.73
Synthetic Blend $8.03
Full Sythetic $9.67

Price difference to upgrade from dino to full synthetic based upon 5 quarts $14.70.

Seems like a "no brainer" to use full synthetic IF doing the change yourself.............

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

I want to use Mobil 1 10w30 synthetic in my 1982 Merc 330.
It calls for straight 30wt, but I can't find that in synthetics.
Does anyone see a problem with using the 10w30? Thanks
Steve.:huh:

BoaTTest.com did a test of Royal Purple and it was conclusive that the engine developed more HP, ran quieter and had a significant increase in fuel range. That will be my next oil change...

http://www.royalpurple.com/boattest.html

 

[carterchapman]

$31.77 per gallon (+ shipping) - full synthetic.

http://www.mertenmarine.com/servlet/the-359/MerCruiser-Full-Synthetic-Engine/Detail

 

[Woody]

10-30W says the oil will act like 10 weight when it is hot but get no heavier than 30 weight when it is cold. What you put in you engine is your call but it seems to me as if 10W oil is too thin because the manufacturer calls for 30W in his specs. As engines get lder one also tends to user heavier weight oil than oriogiunally used you are going lighter. does this make sense?

You have got that sorta backwards. It will have the viscosity of a 10w when cold and not be thinner than a 30w would be when hot.

 

[hack4alivin]

I want to use Mobil 1 10w30 synthetic in my 1982 Merc 330.
It calls for straight 30wt, but I can't find that in synthetics.
Does anyone see a problem with using the 10w30? Thanks
Steve.:huh:

There are a lot of posts here arguing the merits of synthetic oil, which I am a big fan of. But what I would be concerned with in your case is the age and hours on your engine. Being an “82” I would assume you have a lot of hours on that engine, with that being said I would not switch to synthetic oil now. I would stay with what you have been currently using.

My last oil change was with 200 hours on the engines and I went with the Mercury Synthetic Blend oil. I stayed with Mercury because it was recommended by the engines manufacture and I will not stray from that.

 

[tdappleman]

Switching to synthetic on an older engine does not affect it. The oils are rated at a specific viscosity and synthetic vs. dyno does not change that. The advantage of synthetics is higher stability to temperature and increase protection from wear. In other words if you burn or consume oil now with dyno - you still will with synthetic and vice versa. If you have an older motor you can even switch to the new Mobil One High Mileage oils which are not FC-W rated but is an option if you can change it regularly.

 

[mawyatt]

BoaTTest.com did a test of Royal Purple and it was conclusive that the engine developed more HP, ran quieter and had a significant increase in fuel range. That will be my next oil change...

http://www.royalpurple.com/boattest.html

Wonder if Royal Purple vs. Mobile One would show similar result? I believe we are seeing the advantage of synthetic vs. dino oil. Still impressive result. I have been running Mobile One in our boat, genny...and my cars which came with Mobile One.