Rotella T6 5w40 in a 4.3EFI Marine Engine

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Ok BEFORE your blood pressure spikes, and you have a BITOG induced aneurysm, It is noteworthy that Volvo Penta recommends 10w40 for this engine! But I sure caught heck on a boating forum I go to, so for peace of mind, I need some reassurance. I have twin 4.3 EFI engines in my boat, about 350 hours total. Last season I used Valvoline White Bottle 10w40 - the only reason is because my Dad passed away and I found 2 brand new 5 qt jugs of it in his vehicle. Why he bought it, I have no idea, but either way, I ran it last season. The season before that I ran Rotella T5 10w30. Last fall, I scored a good deal on T6, after rebate. I changed the oil in the fall and put the T6 5w40 in the engines. On the other forum I frequent, they are saying it will shear like a mofo. But I didnt just haphazardly buy T6 "just because", I researched it first and saw that it is especially shear resistant. Penny for your thoughts?
 
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No reason why that wouldn't work just fine. That engine has been/is being used by several marine drive makers and T-6 is a thin 40. Diesel oil is tough oil.
 
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I run a 20w50 Amsoil in my Merc 454, but I am considering taking it down to 10w40. Most likely you have oil coolers, so a 5w40 should be fine. Try it, and at the end of the season run a UOA. I bet the room to work on those twin 4.3 is sparse ?
 
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I ran T6 in the 454 engine of my old SeaRay for 135 hours, and the oil didn't even know it had been in an engine.
Quote:
Metals (ppm) Iron (Fe) 41 Chromium (Cr) 1 Lead (Pb) 23 Copper (Cu) 33 Tin (Sn) 1 Aluminium (Al) 4 Nickel (Ni) <1 Silver (Ag) <1 Titanium (Ti) <1 Vanadium (V) <1 Contaminants (ppm) Silicon (Si) 11 Sodium (Na) 41 Potassium (K) 19 Additives (ppm) Magnesium (Mg) 1043 Calcium (Ca) 1080 Barium (Ba) <1 Phosphorus (P) 1062 Zinc (Zn) 1340 Molybdenum (Mo) 65 Boron (B) 38 Contaminants Water (%) 0.15 Coolant No Physical Tests Viscosity (cSt 100C) N/A Physical / Chemical Base Number (mgKOH/g) 6.2
My wear metals were less than the universal averages for 48 hours. That engine was closed cooled, had 1800 hours on it, and had the engine oil cooler. I stick to 20/50 now. For your 4.3, I can't think of any reason in the universe why you shouldn't use the T6.
 
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5W40 is likely to shear a bit. So what. If it shears you still have a strong 30 weight in the sump. Plus, I bet your changing oil at least annually and not putting a ton of hours on it, so it will be an excellent choice. I believe the new CK4 spec calls for a more shear stable 5W40. I'd use synthetic blend 15W40 Rotella or Delo in it myself.
 
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Personally I would prefer a conventional 15/40 CJ4 HEDO or if forced into a CK oil I would choose one without an SN rating from what I understand right now.
 
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Prolly good for a 250 hour run on the meter, and I'll bet you change before that ... Many folks change at 100 hours for peace of mind. I have been running T6 in marine applications (both gas and diesel) for a long time. It always performs well. Have never had an oil related failure. As others have said in your case it'll shear down to a strong 30+ - just about where you want to be smile
 
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