04 san210 oil change question

[SCNautique210SAN]

I know this is a dumb question but the owners manual for the PCM 330 in my nautique calls for 15w40, does everyone run that weight? What do you all recommend for that engine in 90 to 110 degree weather? Doing this today so a quick response would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[wskiboy]

I run 15/40 in my boat

[AirTool]

I know this is a dumb question but the owners manual for the PCM 330 in my nautique calls for 15w40, does everyone run that weight? What do you all recommend for that engine in 90 to 110 degree weather? Doing this today so a quick response would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Yes. Use the 15w40 oil. It is commonly marketed as oil for "diesels" but it meets the API rating for gasoline engines. You can find it at almost any store from walmart to auto parts.

Mobil 1300?
Shell Rotella
Chevron Delo
Motorcraft

and others.

[maxxwell]

yeah, I use Shell Rotella 15W-40 in the boat and the Diesel, usually have gallons sitting around when it is time for oil change in the boat, I also use WIX filter

my change interval is every 50 hrs

[TRDon]

I put in 10-40 last time I changed it. It was available and I had a really hard time coming up with a 15-40 that I wanted to use. After doing research, I found the 10-40 will deliver equivelant warm engine performance as a 15-40 so that is what I went with and I will probably use it before I change over to a 10-40 synthetic.

[AirTool]

I put in 10-40 last time I changed it. It was available and I had a really hard time coming up with a 15-40 that I wanted to use. After doing research, I found the 10-40 will deliver equivelant warm engine performance as a 15-40 so that is what I went with and I will probably use it before I change over to a 10-40 synthetic.

note the 10w40 will break down faster than the 15w40. The farther apart the numbers, the faster they degrade. As your oil breaks down, its viscosity will tend to the base oil viscosity (the first number). The hotter the oil/engine temp, the faster they break down. Fortunately, our engines run quite cool...especially with fresh water cooling.

Funny that the same (maybe only similar) engine in my tahoe gets 5w30. I've always wondered if the oil ports etc. are different in the marine engine. Maybe its the governments CAFE biz or maybe the overall load vs. RPM difference between a truck and a boat. Heck, my boat is always stuck in first gear.

[H2O]

Per PCM owner's manual for Excalibur motors:
Above 50* F, SAE 15W-40 "SM"
Below 50* F, SAE 5W-30 "SM"
I would assume that using 10W-40 "SM" would be acceptable, especially if using an easily found synthetic. And, yes, synthetic is approved by PCM.

[SCNautique210SAN]

Thanks for the info. What's the difference between "sj" and "sm"? My manual calls for sj.

Also. How often do you all normally change v drive and trans fluid?


Just figured id show her off a little

[AirTool]

Thanks for the info. What's the difference between "sj" and "sm"? My manual calls for sj.

m is next in the series. Each time the spec is revised, they rev'd up the letter.

Generally, the new specs are removing contaminates that some say either pollute or harm the catalytic converter.

At the time your manual was printed, sm probably didn't exist.

You are A-OK with using SM.

[GoBig]

+1 for Shell Rotella 15W-40

[DanielC]

The newer spec oils are for newer engines. Using new oil in older engines may not be OK. The Ford GT-40 engine is a non-roller cam engine, and it needs to have some of the supplements that are removed from the newer oils.

With the GM Excaliber engine, the SM oil is probably OK, but if you find SJ oil, I would use that.
You can use a synthetic oil, but you cannot go longer on the oil change intervals.
Engine oil and filter change, every 50 hours.
Transmission oil change, every 100 hours.
Walters V-drive oil change, once a season. or every 500 hours (not a misprint)

You should also change the oils at the end of the boating season, before winter layup.