I have just bought a boat with 2 x Volvo Penta KAD 300 3,7 ltr overcharged 6 cylinder diesel engines. The nominal power output is 285 hp an engine and is relatively high for an diesel engine designed in the early 2000s. It is a MY 2003 boat/engines, but with only 600 hrs on the counter.
The Volvo engine manual states that either mineral, semisynthetic or fully synthetic oil may be used as long as the oil meets VDS-2 (Volvo Drain Standard) and API CH-4. The oil change interval is stated to be 200 hrs or 1 year, whatever comes first, regardless of oil type. The previous owner have used mineral oil all the way.
I have since the mid -90s sworn to full synthetic Mobil 1 oil for my cars (VW and Audi TDIs) and never had any issues with lubrication. The cars are used around the year and are cold started in down to -20 deg C. The boat will moved onshore each autumn and never experience a start in sub-zero conditions.
The boat will most probably be used less than 100 hrs a year. So the question is: Will I have any joy of swapping to fully synthetic motoroil here? Things to consider:
-The oil will be replaced yearly with less than 100 hrs on the counter.
-The synthetic oil costs about twice as much as the mineral oil.
-Engines will never be started in sub-zero temperatures.
-Will the use of a synthetic oil theoretically extend engine life and thereby compensate for increased spendings on oil?
Thanks & best regards from Norway
The Volvo engine manual states that either mineral, semisynthetic or fully synthetic oil may be used as long as the oil meets VDS-2 (Volvo Drain Standard) and API CH-4. The oil change interval is stated to be 200 hrs or 1 year, whatever comes first, regardless of oil type. The previous owner have used mineral oil all the way.
I have since the mid -90s sworn to full synthetic Mobil 1 oil for my cars (VW and Audi TDIs) and never had any issues with lubrication. The cars are used around the year and are cold started in down to -20 deg C. The boat will moved onshore each autumn and never experience a start in sub-zero conditions.
The boat will most probably be used less than 100 hrs a year. So the question is: Will I have any joy of swapping to fully synthetic motoroil here? Things to consider:
-The oil will be replaced yearly with less than 100 hrs on the counter.
-The synthetic oil costs about twice as much as the mineral oil.
-Engines will never be started in sub-zero temperatures.
-Will the use of a synthetic oil theoretically extend engine life and thereby compensate for increased spendings on oil?
Thanks & best regards from Norway

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