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Oil change with full flush?

Discussion in 'Engines' started by TahoeJohn, Nov 1, 2020.

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  1. TahoeJohn

    TahoeJohn Member

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    Wow, I'm always amazed by how much I learn from you guys, even on a simple topic. Thanks!!!!
  2. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I ve always used Rotella and never noticed any pressure drop. I put 4000 hours on a pair of 3412Es using rotella, boat sold with 5400 hours and passed survey/oil analysis without issues. Just a puff of smoke on cold starts
  3. gcsi

    gcsi Senior Member

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    I’m attempting to download a technical paper 1.5 MB PDF (Engineering Test Results) on motor oils with no luck. Keep getting a note that file is too large, suggestions? Paper totally changed my understanding / opinions of oils.
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2020
  4. cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    Exactly. No engine manufacturer makes their own oil.
    All the oil is made by someone else to their specifications and private labeled.
    And I’m sure that goes out to bid so it probably changes over the years on who’s making their private label oil.
    Could be Mobil one year , Shell or others the next .
    Personally I use Valvoline 40 weight
    Which I get from Napa under their private label.
    It’s been doing just fine for the past few years for me .
  5. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Each engine manufacturer does have the oil blended to their specifications. Synthetic blends can vary greatly in how much synthetic is actually in the oil. The CAT oil is the same price as Mobil or others, so I just use the manufacturers.........generally there isn't hardly any difference in price when it comes to oil. Cat and MAN have been using Mobil for decades, so it's not price shopping. As long as it meets the engine manufacturers required specs, you should be ok.
  6. gcsi

    gcsi Senior Member

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    The 75 page paper I attempted to download explains that oil is oil (more or less). However, the “additives” are key, making a profound difference in performance. While Cat may use a Mobil base, their additives are likely proprietary to the Cat blend and only available in the Cat oil. The author does extensive laboratory wear testing comparing various oils to illustrate this very point.

    Main take-away from my reading; Sams Club oil is probably not equivalent to the Cat Oil.

    if anyone is interested in the paper, PM and I’ll forward a PDF
  7. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    Aren't the new guidelines directed at new engines. My engines are nearly 25 years old. Mobil Delvac for me. Oil changes are cheap. Pistons aren't.
  8. bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

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    Been using Rotella in Cat engines for years without an issue. Also read that there is no noticeable difference in wear between conventional oil brands if changed as per mfg'r requirements.
  9. cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    No doubt you , given your profession, you should use the factory labeled oil for all your work an nothing else unless the owner tells you other wise . CYA. I would be doing the same thing if I were you.

    Ole Cleanslate on the other hand has to watch his money very carefully :), so I will save where I think it's rite. BUT I have professed to be a Michael Stivic at time her on Y.F. and get myself into boat trouble by being to cheap and not so smart.o_O
  10. TahoeJohn

    TahoeJohn Member

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    Well, just got off the phone with Gabe, mystery solved: Apparently the engines had been running synthetic oil, and the previous owner questioned the value of that, given that he was tending the change the oil annually, regardless of synthetic or dino oil. The double oil change was deemed the best way to convert back to traditional oil.
  11. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    Not the most reassuring sort of previous owner to buy a boat from...
  12. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Yep. #11 " If you switch to synthetic that would be a reason to flush the motor as you'll want to get the old oil out. They don't blend." Personally I prefer synthetic. More expensive but not nearly so much as switching back and forth. Now your big question is was everything flushed and changed? Might want to do an oil analysis on all before any more changes.
  13. TahoeJohn

    TahoeJohn Member

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    We (finally) received the oil analysis results. Both main engines are fine with oil; the only thing that was noted was high iron in the coolant with a flush on both sides recommended.

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