Oil Filter

[cdrymalla]

What Oil Filter Brand/Model should I use on a 2000 AN with the Chevy APEX. The reason I ask is, the previous owner had a WIX 51069 that I assume/hope is getting the job done. The dealer here, however, sold me a Mercury 35-802886T. The two filters look nothing alike. One has a smaller diameter gasket and a longer body.

Also, without starting an oil dispute. The prior owner used casstrol syntehtic blend 10W-40. I have already purchased it but I know alot of people use straight 40W. I am in Austin TX, what would you recommned. If 40W, is it worth exchaning what I have for the 40W or so minor that I should not worry about it?

Thanks

[WakeSlayer]

RE: Oil Filter

Do you have the remote filter kit on your boat? If so, it uses a Motorcraft FL1A, or Napa Gold 1515. If not, check your manual.

As for the oil, do a search, there are many, MANY discussions on this topic.

[DanielC]

Apex engine oil and filter info.

I recommend you use OEM oil filters on any engine. Here is the reason. Both Ford and GM have spent millions of dollars studying the best oil filters for their engines. They do not want to have to replace an engine under warranty in a car or truck because of a bad oil filter.
Does your engine have a remote oil filter, or is it on the engine block, left side of the engine near the flywheel, under the engine? This is the stock GM location. Some Apex engines may have a remote oil filter location, this is above the exhaust manifold, again on the left side of the engine, usually toward the rear (flywheel) enf of the engine. The directions given are for a V-8 engine, sitting in a car. If your boat is a "direct drive" the left side of the engine is on the port side of the boat. If you have a V-drive, the left side of the engine is on the right side of the boat.

If the oil filter location is under the engine use AC/Delco oil filter for the GM 350 engine.

Sorry, I do not know the number. I am a lot more familiar with Ford engines.

If you have the remote oil filter, use the Motorcraft FL1-A oil filter.

I know, a Ford filter on a GM engine. Years ago, when racers started to put remote oil filters on engines, the Ford filter was decided to be the standard oil filter for remote filter mounts.
I believe your engine requires 15-40 oil. You should use it, the straight weight 40 is for the Ford engines. PCM recommends using conventional oils in the engine. Not synthetic oil.
More importantly, you need to find out if your engine has a "flat tappet camshaft" or a "roller tappet camshaft"
If you have a flat tappet camshaft, you must use an oil with a Zinc - Phosphorus called ZDDP. This additive protects the camshaft to tappet interface from excessive wear.
Modern engines are almost all using roller camshafts, because the EPA is trying to phase out oils with the ZDDP additive. This additive slowly poisons the catalytic converter in cars, with high mileage engines, that burn oil in high quantities.

If your oil filter is under the engine, I am sorry, but you have a real PITA getting the oil filter out without spilling the oil in the bilge. Your first step is to get all the water out of the bilge. Any water in the bilge will float any oil spilled, and make a much bigger mess.
you are up to your own ingenuity to figure out how to keep oil out of the bilge. A cut up milk carton is one idea, putting the used oil filter in a zip-lock in the bilge is another idea.
just putting rags in the bilge, to catch the oil is an option. Letting the engine sit overnight, before removing the filter, allows the oil galleys in the engine to drain, and spills a lot less oil in the bilge.
Once the filter has been replaced, clean the bilge. It is not good to dump oil back into the lake or river every time your bilge pump runs. A pressure washer, and detergent works good for this.

It is possible to get a remote oil filter mount kit for the engine if your oil filter is under the engine. This makes changing the filter much easier.

[cdrymalla]

RE: Apex engine oil and filter info.

Thanks guys. I have a DD. My filter is topward the lower back left (port) side of the engine. The top of the filert is about level with the floorboard, so I am guessing no remote filter kit. I agree to go with the factory recommended filter, I am just trying to find out what model that is.

By chance, Does anyone have a simlar APEX DD they could look at and tell me what filter thay are using? The dealer gave me the Mercury filter, from what I can tell without much thought, making me believe they just use it and don't really know what is correct. IT looks total differnt from the WIX one currently on there. The manual says nothing about the filter, and I am not sure what enigne I can use to cross reference in the filter look-up cataloges. The maunal suggests 40W40 above 50F, 30W30 32F-50F, and 20W50 belwo 32F. Hear in texas I am definately in the 50+range. Note, however, the manual makes teh recomendation wihtout any reference to a specfic type of engine.

[WakeSlayer]

RE: Apex engine oil and filter info.

Go to NAPA and get the Gold filter recommended for a 350. Just mind how much clearance you have, as they may have a long and a short filter for your engine. They did this on my 502, also. I ended up ordering a remote kit from PCM and MWCC. It made my filter change a 5 minute process at most, versus 5 hours of agonizing contortionism. I like the Ford filter on my Chevy, it makes it go faster. It is about the best $200 I have invested in my SAN.
For your oil, as Daniel stated, get one with 1200 ppm ZDDP. Mobil 1 fits this criteria. You can check on Castrol's website and they should provide that info. For syn oil I use Mobile 1, for my other boat(s) I will be sticking with conventional oil and Valvoline VR1 Racing oil, which also meets the ZDDP standard.

[cdrymalla]

RE: Apex engine oil and filter info.

Ok, I know there is no easy answer to the oil thing, but I have a cople of questions. The manual says 40w40...so I bought Penzoil HD40 (i have not added it yet). I did see the Shell Rotella 15W-40, which I think has the 1200PPM ZDDP, but is listed as a diesel oil so I shyed away, I also noticed today that the cap on the back of the engine above the transmission suggests 10W-30....It seem to me that in Texas a good 10W-40 or even the 15W-40 would be just as good as the 30W in colder climates. Anyone have a brand and weight of oil that is preferred?

Wakeslayer, you mention the Mobil 1 having ZDDP, but I only saw that listed for 15W50?????

Right now I am leaning to using the Rotella 15W-40...Any issues with that?

[78LS2]

Re: Apex engine oil and filter info.

More importantly, you need to find out if your engine has a "flat tappet camshaft" or a "roller tappet camshaft"
If you have a flat tappet camshaft, you must use an oil with a Zinc - Phosphorus called ZDDP. This additive protects the camshaft to tappet interface from excessive wear.
Modern engines are almost all using roller camshafts, because the EPA is trying to phase out oils with the ZDDP additive. This additive slowly poisons the catalytic converter in cars, with high mileage engines, that burn oil in high quantities.

You would be hard pressed to find an oil that does not have ZDP or ZDDP in them. While it is true that phosphorus poisons the catalytic converter, it is not being phased out since Zinc is the staple anti-wear agent. Oils are being designed to keep the phosphorus in the oil, not volatilize and enter the emissions control systems. The industry standard Sequence IIIGB test measures phosphorus retention.

[WakeSlayer]

RE: Re: Apex engine oil and filter info.

I use the Mobile 1 15w50.

78LS2, I believe it is the amount of ZDDP that is the concern. 1200ppm is what I go by.

[78LS2]

RE: Re: Apex engine oil and filter info.

An oil has to pass many tests to receive certification. The test that it must pass for wear is the Sequence IVA test. The test is designed to measure valvetrain wear and the pass/fail criteria is that the camshaft cannot have more than 90 microns of wear after a 100hr test. As each oil MFG uses different treat levels, the 1200ppm value is arbitrary. As long as you use a good oil, and change it regularly, you're good to go.

[Nautique211]

I haven't seen anyone mentioning using an oil stabilizer along with the end of the year oil change. I have been purchasing an oil stabilizer from West Marine for the past few seasons. It claims to help inhibit rust and prevent viscosity breakdown during cold storage. It also claims you can use as normal until the next oil change. Anyone heard good, bad or otherwise about oil stabilizers?

[DanielC]

I believe PCM does not recommend adding any additives to your oil. They do recommend changing the oil at the end of the season, before the boat is put into storage.
You should also fog your engine before winter storage. This gets a rust preventative in places oil does not really get to in any large quantities.
Oil does not break down during storage.
You do need to use a fuel stabilizer in your gasoline. I have found the best prices on fuel stabilizer at a local "one stop" shopping center, in the garden section.
West Marine is not my first choice for advise on boat care, or for products. I have found the prices on waxes and other stuff available at my local Correct Craft dealer cheaper than West Marine.
West Marine caters more to the Sailboat, and Yacht club crowd.
I have 2230 hours on my engine, using oil recommended by PCM for my engine.

[AirTool]

Re: RE: Apex engine oil and filter info.

... so I am guessing no remote filter kit. I agree to go with the factory recommended filter, I am just trying to find out what model that is.

Don't use FRAM they are Chinese junk, but the Fram numbers should be PF30 for the short filter and PF5 for the longer one. Use the numbers to convert to Wix or AC Delco.

Note the longer one might actually be easier to change...it will extend lower than the block/pan and more easily allow a filter wrench. That's from my experience with a Mercruiser i/o anyway.

Some filter numbers that might match

WIX Part # 51060
ACDELCO Part # PF1218 DURAGUARD 115MM LONG
ACDELCO Part # PF1218CL CLASSIC DESIGN 130MM LONG

Be sure you get the one with the anit-drain back valve....I believe the numbers above are for that model. If you need more info, PM me.

[cdrymalla]

RE: Re: RE: Apex engine oil and filter info.

Thanks for the help.

AirTool, I sent you a PM.

[AirTool]

RE: Re: RE: Apex engine oil and filter info.

PM in progress.

for others FYI .... PCM number for block mounted chevy filter R077002

It is the "super short" version IMO....can't tell if it has the anti-drainback valve or not.