Will I be ok?

[boatguy]

After changing the oil in my 250 4 stroke suzuki outboard, I found out that I put 10w30 in (instead of 10W-40) will I be ok for until the next oil change?

 

[Steve S]

Marine engines are always going up hill with a load. It would be hard to guess. What kind of oil? How long do you run the oil? How big of a load? Seems a 30 ft cruiser would be different than an Allison lake racer.

 

[boatguy]

This is for a 250 4 stroke suzuki outboard which pushes a 23' boat. Does that help you out any??

 

[Dagwood]

I would use it in the spring, when the weather is colder anyway, but I would change it before the warm weather of summer. If it were me, I would not want to run it all summer, although it would probably not hurt anything. What brand of 10w30 did you use?

 

[paul246]

I once did just that with a car. Correcting the situation didn't send me into bankruptcy but it did give me peace of mind... and that does have value.

Considering the small amount of effort required and the minimal cost I would just change the oil again and be done with it. That way you will at least know it is the correct grade.

 

[cmhj]

I'd make a very short OCI cycle in this case.

 

[boatguy]

I used Pennzoil SAE 10w30.....

 

[Dagwood]

I wouldn't worry too much about it. I would just change it out in the spring. Boat motors run for longer periods at much higher rpms then cars. That is why they usually require the higher viscosities with more robust additives. Your manual probably says something about 10w40 with API SJ/CF or something similar. Actually the required oils for marine engines are very similar to the required oils for diesel engines. Some marine manuals actually say to use 10w30 if you run the engine in cold weather.
Anyway, hope that helps.

 

[boatguy]

You are correct.... I did some checking and that is exactly what it says about the time of the year and the diff. vesc.. Thank you very much...

 

[Badlees]

I just bought some Mobil 1 10w40 for my Yamaha F40. I hope that will do the trick. My outboard has about 450 hours on her but runs strong. I bought the Mobil 110 filter as well. I had the heavy duty diesel oil in hand but put it back.

 

[w9awx]

10W30 would be fine for cold water winter use, I would be scared to use it in summer.... too thin.