Substitute for Valvoline 30 Weight?

[Wis]

I've been using straight Valvoline 30 weight in my twin Mercruiser 454's for the past couple of years. My engines just past the 700 hour mark.

I've had no problems to speak of, but I'm wondering if there's a good substitute for the straight 30 weight. It's kind of a pain in the *** to find.

Any thoughts?

Thanks for your help.

 

[3putter]

Well, straight 30w is carried in a variety of Flavors at your local WalMart, Auto Zone or AA. Suggest you buy a case of SuperTech at $1.74 / quart and you will be good to go.

 

[pickled]

Amsoil ACD 10W30 heavy duty diesel oil is darn good. You could also stop by a tractor supply or truck stop and see if you can find some 30 weight Delo.

 

[Chris71]

Advance has SM rated Shell 30 weight for $2.48/qt. I'm currently running it in my 4.7 Dakota with a Pure One filter.

 

[Chris71]

The SM Shell is a Group 2 while the SL is Still a Group 1 from what Johnny says. Napa sells their own brand of 30 wt.(which is made by Valvoline).

 

[umungus1122]

Rotella 30 weight at most Walmarts.

 

[Steve S]

Switch to a 15w/40 HDEO.

 

[Chris71]

15w-40 isn't the answer to every question. His boat is running just fine on 30 wt. so why would he want to cost his engine horsepower by going to a thicker oil?

 

[Steve S]

Because I like 15w40 in my boat engines . "Though I sold my boat in 2003 I think".

 

[alreadygone]

Originally Posted By: Steve S
Because I like 15w40 in my boat engines . "Though I sold my boat in 2003 I think".



Don't attempt to confuse him with any facts boys,,,his mind's made up!

Bob

 

[RLM]

You guys have Fleet Farms or is that Farm Fleets up there. They should have 30wt. oil of some sort of decent brand in bulk and availability shouldn't be a problem with them.

I have an unused gift card stashed away in my travel bag just waiting for the next trip up there. Wish we had those stores down here.

 

[dwendt44]

Wisconsin has both Fleet/Farm and Farm & Fleet.
Never in the same town/city though.
More Fleet/Farm in WI, more Farm & Fleet in Illinois.

 

[Volvohead]

At 700+ hours, if it isn't broke, don't fix it.

I would avoid synthetics at this point unless you plan on cleaning up the crankcase first. Noting stinks more than an oil leak all over the bilge.

But if you must change, all the HDEO straight 30 weights are decent choices and probably more robust than the Valvoline. Easily available at every WM. They may not have the API gasoline approvals like the multivis varieties do, but they're fine in a marine app.

There is nothing wrong with a 15w40 HDEO. That's what I run. Quicksilver oil as recommended for your engines is a 20w-40. Especially up your way, I'd want a multi for the early and late ends of the season. Cranking a 30 or 40 in October/November is no fun.

Unless it's a very old or custom racing block, whether it's SL or SM doesn't make much difference in a marine engine. It's all about dilution performance and avoiding shear down.

 

[PT1]

The quicksilver is a 25w40 with no VII's. Very shear stable.

 

[Volvohead]

Originally Posted By: PT1
The quicksilver is a 25w40 with no VII's. Very shear stable.


That's what they claim. I'll stick with the HDEOs.

 

[Wis]

Thanks guys. I'm going to stick with a good, name brand 30 weight oil. I suppose there's nothing wrong with the Valvoline I've been using, but I know there are better choices out there.

 

[PT1]

Walmarts usually carry Pennzoil Marine 30w and Rotella 30wt. Both reasonably priced.

 

[Wis]

Originally Posted By: PT1
Walmarts usually carry Pennzoil Marine 30w and Rotella 30wt. Both reasonably priced.


My Walmart is very small. They do not carry Rotella 30w. They did have plenty of Pennzoil 30w HD so I grabed a few of them. I'm assuming it's OK to run this Pennzoil 30w HD in my Mercruisers unless I hear otherwise from you guys

 

[Volvohead]

Pennzoil HD is OK, probably as good as the Valvoline it's replacing.

But it's not my first choice here when there are better HDEOs around.

Your WM doesn't carry Rotella 30. But do they carry Rotella 15w40?

 

[Wis]

Originally Posted By: Volvohead
Your WM doesn't carry Rotella 30. But do they carry Rotella 15w40?


They do have the 15w40 but that's it.