Oil type

[bsnowden]

Hello all. Hope everyone is good. I just purchased a 1997 Glastron SE 175 w/ a Volvo Penta 4.3 GL. It also says Vortec on the valve cover (like a GM). Was wondering what type oil to use for the engine? Also, any other recommended maintenance procedures will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Scott Danforth]

15W40, 20W50

 

[tpenfield]

Hello all. Hope everyone is good. I just purchased a 1997 Glastron SE 175 w/ a Volvo Penta 4.3 GL. It also says Vortec on the valve cover (like a GM).

Welcome to iBoats . . .

It is a GM engine. That's where V-P get their base engines. Mercruiser gets some of their base engines from GM as well.

You can Google the oil spec for the engine. You might want to see about getting a service manual for the engine if you are going to do the maintenance . . . maybe even repairs.

Is this boat new-to-you?

 

[bsnowden]

Yes, it is new to me. Purchased from the original owner. I will look a service manual to purchase. Thanks for the response. Any other recommendations?

 

[Lou C]

On these engines the main thing is to not use a low viscosity automotive oil like 5w/30 or 10/30. You can use straight weights like straight 30, or 40, a 20w/50 or you also can use the Mercruiser/Quicksilver 25/40 or the 15w/40 used in both diesel and gas engines. The idea is that marine engines spend a lot of time at higher RPMs than would be typical in an auto or truck engine so you don't want an oil that might thin out and lose viscosity.
As far as the outdrive, I have head that the Volvo cone clutch drives do better with their gear oil, but I've had no experience with them.
I use the Merc/Quicksilver 25/40 in the engine and the Merc High Performance gear lube in the outdrive. Good results with both.

 

[BRICH1260]

Yes, it is new to me. Purchased from the original owner. I will look a service manual to purchase. Thanks for the response. Any other recommendations?

I wouldn`t put too much stock in what the owners manual says for the oil. Oil has advanced greatly since that engine was produced and it may not necessarily give the best information.

 

[Lou C]

If I recall V/P used to recommend a syn straight 30, however this was difficult to find and later on they switched to a syn 10w/40. What most people seem to use is Chevron Delo or Shell Rotella 15w/40 or the Merc/Quicksilver 25/40.

 

[bsnowden]

Greatly appreciate all the info

On these engines the main thing is to not use a low viscosity automotive oil like 5w/30 or 10/30. You can use straight weights like straight 30, or 40, a 20w/50 or you also can use the Mercruiser/Quicksilver 25/40 or the 15w/40 used in both diesel and gas engines. The idea is that marine engines spend a lot of time at higher RPMs than would be typical in an auto or truck engine so you don't want an oil that might thin out and lose viscosity.
As far as the outdrive, I have head that the Volvo cone clutch drives do better with their gear oil, but I've had no experience with them.
I use the Merc/Quicksilver 25/40 in the engine and the Merc High Performance gear lube in the outdrive. Good results with both.

Is yours a V/P? Also, not sure about "cone clutch"...... New to boat ownership, but have worked on cars for years.

 

[Lou C]

Nope mine’s an OMC Cobra with dog clutch shifting so it really doesn’t matter which oil I use. With a cone clutch like Volvo uses it can matter so I’d use the VP gear oil...