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View Poll Results: What kind of motor oil do you use?
30W 104 50.98%
10W-30 59 28.92%
10W-40 30 14.71%
Detergent 47 23.04%
Non-Detergent 4 1.96%
Natural (as opposed to synthetic) 48 23.53%
Synthetic 9 4.41%
Motorcycle Oil 4 1.96%
SG Grade 6 2.94%
Some Other Variation 12 5.88%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 204. You may not vote on this poll

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  #1   IP: 75.197.130.155
Old 08-05-2010, 09:17 AM
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What kind of motor oil do you use?

At Mark S's suggestion, here's a poll on what kind of motor oil you use in your A4.

You may select as many choices as are relevant.
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  #2   IP: 206.125.176.3
Old 08-05-2010, 09:43 AM
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CalebD turned me onto the Shell Rotella SAE 30w - the P.O. used Mobil 1 in it for years and did not report any problem with slippage, etc..

I opted to go back to the dino juice, except I forgot to check it in the poll!
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  #3   IP: 199.173.225.25
Old 08-05-2010, 11:12 AM
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I use Penzoil Marine 15W-40.
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com...?pid=8137&BASE

Seems to work fine.
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  #4   IP: 75.197.130.155
Old 08-05-2010, 11:27 AM
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Quote:
I use Penzoil Marine 15W-40.
I wonder what distinguishes Penzoil's marine oil from its regular stuff (other than price, of course).

Bill
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  #5   IP: 199.173.225.25
Old 08-05-2010, 12:35 PM
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It is actually pretty cheap at Western Auto.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Administrator View Post
I wonder what distinguishes Penzoil's marine oil from its regular stuff (other than price, of course).

Bill
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  #6   IP: 173.79.222.18
Old 08-05-2010, 01:19 PM
Jesse Delanoy Jesse Delanoy is offline
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Pennzoil SAE 30 HD (high detergent)
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  #7   IP: 71.118.13.238
Old 08-05-2010, 01:21 PM
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Exclamation Oil

I have been using for the last 26 years the same basic oil strategy. A good 30wt detergent motor oil~Chevron~Valvoline~Mobil~etc and I add a pint of STP oil treatment. I have a very steady oil pereassure 15~20 @ idle (700rpm) and 35~40 above 1300 up. I also use a bypass type of oil filter set up from Fram.
My lil beastie is now 40 years old and still ticking although I did do a valve job on her 26 years ago. The only thing not original are a few valve "keepers" and one exhaust valve.

Dave Neptune
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  #8   IP: 208.71.0.56
Old 08-05-2010, 05:59 PM
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STP question

What exactly does STP oil treatment do?

Mfr says:

STP Oil Treatment:

Fights friction to help protect against engine wear by providing a thicker cushion between moving engine parts.

This high-viscosity formula is specially formulated to help fight metal-to-metal friction by providing a thicker cushion between moving engine parts.
Helps

* Protect against engine wear
* Reduce oil consumption
* Protect engine parts


Is this any different than just "oil" ?
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  #9   IP: 142.68.247.253
Old 08-05-2010, 06:07 PM
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Just for completeness in documentation in this thread, here is Don's FAQ on oil choice: http://www.moyermarine.com/faq/3.6.html
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  #10   IP: 199.173.225.25
Old 08-06-2010, 09:51 AM
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Testing Slick 50 and STP

We also tested Slick 50 and STP Engine Treatments and STP Oil Treatment, each in three cabs. (Slick 50 costs $17.79 per container; STP Engine Treatment has been discontinued.) All three boast that they reduce engine friction and wear.

The engine treatments are added with the oil (we used Pennzoil 10W-30). They claim they bond to engine parts and provide protection for 25,000 miles or more. We used each according to instructions.

The STP Oil Treatment is supposed to be added with each oil change. It comes in one formulation (black bottle, $4.32) for cars with up to 36,000 miles, another (blue bottle, $3.17) for cars that have more than 36,000 miles or are more than four years old. We used the first version for the first 36,000 miles, the second for the rest of the test-again, with Pennzoil 10W-30.

When we disassembled the engines and checked for wear and deposits, we found no discernible benefits from any of these products.

The bottom line. We see little reason why anyone using one of today's high-quality motor oils would need these engine/oil treatments. One notable effect of STP Oil Treatment was an increase in oil viscosity; it made our 10W-30 oil act more like a 15W-40, a grade not often recommended. In very cold weather, that might pose a risk of engine damage.
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  #11   IP: 206.40.166.218
Old 08-06-2010, 03:08 PM
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Valvoline 30 weight, natural and detergent. In polling, neglected to check natural and detergent. I'd be tempted to try synthetic if people seem to like it. I use it in my autos.

Last edited by Mark S; 08-06-2010 at 03:13 PM.
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  #12   IP: 24.62.178.200
Old 08-06-2010, 04:04 PM
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Rotela
15-40

Capricious
Marblehead Ma
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  #13   IP: 70.188.243.236
Old 08-08-2010, 07:33 PM
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Chevron Delo 400 15 - 40

The water temp in the bayou today is 90 F. So a heavier weight is proper IMO.

Back in the early 70's when I was in marine diesel repair school one of our assignments was to research which oil met most manufacturors and government standards. Chevron Delo 400 met everyone's requirments and I have been using in all of my engines since then except my Chevy Van towing vehicle for boats on trailers, car hauler trailer and my 22' HiLo travel trailer. On the advice of a cousin who worked for GM and the test facility in AZ, I have used Red Line synthetic engine oil and ATF. I am approaching 100,000 miles on the Chevy and she does not use any between changes and the tranny still works perfectly.

Of course, like the Atomic Four, my Chevy was built by Americans in America!
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  #14   IP: 75.164.164.97
Old 08-10-2010, 08:28 PM
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Where does one find "SG" grade oil?

Everything I've found is rated at SL or SM.

According to the summer newsletter, anything greater than SG is "too slippery" for our wet clutches. Currently I'm using 10 - 40 SL rating and looking for SG rated oil. So far no wet clutch slipping as far as I can tell.

Jeff.
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  #15   IP: 38.118.55.125
Old 08-11-2010, 06:21 AM
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Jeff,

The recommendation to look for SG rated oil (usually only found today at motorcycle shops) was only if you're having trouble with your forward clutch assembly slipping. As long as you can find a comfortable adjustment on your forward latching mechanism, SL or SM oil is OK.

Don
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  #16   IP: 75.164.164.97
Old 08-11-2010, 01:19 PM
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Don,
Thanks for that clarification. That's the problem I have when I read newsletter with the Droid phone - I miss a few important words here and there -

Jeff
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  #17   IP: 68.173.38.216
Old 08-17-2010, 11:15 PM
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Rotella T 30W

As Shawn mentioned I use Rotella 30W oil only because the PO of my boat told me to use it.
After reading a bit in Nigel Caulder's book "Boat Owners Mechanical & Electrical Manual" I discovered why. The API rating (American Petroleum Instute) for Rotella T 30W has additives that are compatible with BOTH gas and diesel fueled engines. After looking at the API ratings of oils in the auto parts store I found that very few oils are actually engineered for diesel engines but Rotella T is good for both spark and compression ignition engines.
My engine seems to like it even if it costs a few more dollars.
After our cabin got a small flood that got water in the engine oil Don Moyer suggested I buy some cheaper 30W oil to use for the multiple changes that cleared out the water intrusion problem. The last change was done with Rotella T 30W of course.
The multi-weight oils (15-40) make sense for warmer climates, from the Chesapeake on down to the Gulf, where people tend to keep their boats in the water year round and use them during the winter months when my boat is 'on the hard'. The 15W-40 oil would probably be fine in my engine too but the 30W oil has served me quite well. My engine seems to love it when I change the oil - I can only go by the sound it makes when it is running or purring.
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  #18   IP: 173.166.26.241
Old 11-28-2010, 02:15 PM
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Most of what is written on a jug of oil is hype and nonsense. I like oil that says 30W, high detergent, and gets out of my engine after 50 hours.
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  #19   IP: 76.7.149.31
Old 12-01-2010, 09:30 AM
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Need some advice. I believe the 50 hr oil change is based on the A-4 with no oil filter. The MC has a filter and I have run more than 50 hrs between oil changes. I would be changing the oil every week on my runs on the ICW. Am I damaging the engine? What is a good hour recommendation on an A-4 with a filter? My filter fits in a canister, not a screw on. If in a place where I can get oil but not a filter can I just leave out the filter?
Dan S/V Marian Claire

Last edited by Marian Claire; 12-01-2010 at 10:57 AM. Reason: spelling
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Old 12-01-2010, 10:58 AM
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Very interesting. Your cannister style filter has considerably more capacity than my spin on cartridge type (Indigo set up). When running the ICW I do actually change the oil every week, but you may have the filter capacity to go much longer. Still, I would change the oil anytime it looked dirty. I do not change the filter at each oil change, rather every third or fourth oil change.
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  #21   IP: 76.7.149.31
Old 12-01-2010, 11:15 AM
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HC: Thanks for the info. I check the oil every morning before start up so monitoring the color/cleanliness of the oil sounds good. Dan S/V Marian Claire
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Old 12-02-2010, 05:14 AM
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I run the ICW and change the oil about every week too, usually a little longer, because
some runs have to be shorter than what I would like due to how the anchorages
are spaced out.

I start from the top end of MA and do 5 changes @ 2 1/2 quarts/change to get to a
stopping place in FL.

It doesn't take long at the end of the day (or drifting/sailing if I am in a wide spot),
maybe about 15 or 20 minutes from start to finish, when everything is put away
and the motor is on again. I use one of those suction/vacuum canisters so
there's no mess and while it is sucking I can be updating my records.

-Jonathan
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  #23   IP: 173.166.26.241
Old 12-11-2010, 10:09 AM
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Speaking of oil changes on the ICW...one of the issues that can be difficult is proper disposal of waste oil. Perhaps we can compile a list of disposal facilities that are right on the route. I'll start by listing two that I use. 1) Beaufort SC municipal marina, and 2) Titusville Municipal Marina.
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  #24   IP: 76.7.147.23
Old 12-11-2010, 12:08 PM
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MM185, actually a few miles up river on Clubfoot Creek, Matthews Point Marina, my first and last change.
MM 536, Beaufort SC, Factory Creek, Ladies Island Marina, I think is the name, you can leave oil at the shop to be recycled.
MM 1095, Dinner Key Marina, Coconut Grove Fla
MM 1142 Bayside, Buttonwood Sound, Key Largo, About a block or two south/west of dingy landing is a auto parts, I think it is NAPA, that has recycling.
MM 1195, Boot Key Harbor, Marathon Fla, if registered you can use there recycling area.
MM 140 on the Okeechobee Waterway, Fort Myers Yacht Basin
Dan S/V Marian Claire
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Old 12-12-2010, 06:06 AM
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Dismal Swamp Canal -- Deep Creek (mile 10)
You tie up to the concrete wall by the mexican restaurant and go across the
street to the auto parts store, walk through the counters back into the stock
area and there is a disposal drum there. This is also the best place on the ICW
to get groceries. You can fill your cart up and push it back to the boat.

I also use the previously mentioned Titusville spot.
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