What type of oil???

[mgswed]

Being new to the boating (nautique) world, what type of oil should i put in my 94 ford 351 ski nautique? How many quarts does it take, and how often should i check the dipstick? P.S. I just noticed its down a bit... Thanks -MG

[NautiqueJeff]

RE: What type of oil???

The manual recommends straight 30 wt oil under 50* and straight 40 wt oil above 50* for all Ford PCM engines. I would not use synthetic if I were you. I'd check it at least weekly, assuming you use the boat daily or almost daily. The oil pan should hold four quarts, and the filter will hold about one more, for a total of about five quarts, depending on the angle of the engine. The filter will be a MotorCraft FL-1A.

[mgswed]

RE: What type of oil???

Thank you very much.

[davidr]

PCM also says that 15W40 is an acceptable alternative to a straight 40 weight. I'm not quite sure why PCM likes straight 40 weight.

There are differing opinions on synthetic...

PCM says they don't see much advantage to a synthetic; some folks worry that superior cold flow characteristics and detergent capabilities may increase leak/drip rates; others swear by synthetics.

I like synthetics, and I'm currently running Mobil 1 15W50 in my boat. Engine has about 260 hrs (I've put on about 20) - I've seen no adverse effects or leaks.

[mgswed]

Re: RE: What type of oil???

straight 30 wt oil under 50* and straight 40 wt oil above 50* for all Ford PCM engines.

What does the over/under 50* mean??? Thanks

[SNMike]

Re: RE: What type of oil???

straight 30 wt oil under 50* and straight 40 wt oil above 50* for all Ford PCM engines.

What does the over/under 50* mean??? Thanks

Degrees in Fahrenheit. :grin:

[Mikeski]

RE: Re: RE: What type of oil???

Just received some PCM literature, Were Talkin'Torque, in the mail today...

on the sheet it has a FAQs section

"Q: What kind of oil should us in my PCM engine?"
"A: When the average temperature is above 50 degrees F, use a good quality SAE 15W-40 "SJ". Below 50 F, use SAE 5w-30 "SJ".

"Q: Can I use synthetic oil in my PCM engine?"
"A: Synthetic oils are NOT RECOMMENDED for use in PCM engines. Synthetic oils may offer advantages in cold temperature pump-ability and high temperature oxidation-resistance. However, synthetic oils have not proven to provide operational or economic benefits over conventional petroleum based oils in PCM engines. Their use does not permit the extension of oil change intervals."

also says to change the impeller once a season when you de-winterize your boat

my buddies MC Corvette chewed up a crank using Mobil 1, he now runs petroleum based oil after replacing the motor, he sells AC Delco parts and swore by Mobil 1 until the day before the incident.

[NautiqueJeff]

What type of oil???

Mikeski,

That information is for the newer GM-based PCM engines. mgswed has one of the older Ford-based PCM engines, so he should be using the straight weight oils.

[davidr]

How did Mobil 1 chew the Corvette crank?
Sounds like the details would be interesting.

[DavidF]

anecdotal and a coincidence at best. IMHO: PCM does not recommend synthetic due to the recommended conservative change interval and relative low operating temperatures of a marine engine. Based on this, I can see how synthetic is marginally beneficial and definately a higher cost. What I have NEVER seen written is that synthetic oil will void PCM's engine warranty.

You be the judge.

[surroundsound64]

How did Mobil 1 chew the Corvette crank?
Sounds like the details would be interesting.

Me too. Especially since that's what I'm running in my truck.

[auskier]

Hope I'm not too far off topic from this thread but I can't find a good (ie name I actually recognize) straight 40 wt. oil in any of the automotive stores I've been in. So I'm using 15w40 but would get the straight 40 if I could find it. Could somebody list some suggested names of straight 40 oil and where you buy it. I know I could order the oil online but is the difference big enough that I should go to the trouble?

Thanks!

[Mikeski]

This happened about 8 years ago. He really didn't want to talk about it too much since MC replaced the engine under warranty. When MC asked what kind of oil he was using he denied using synthetic at the recommendation of his dealer. I heard what I believe to be the real story from my father, it came out when I suggested running RedLine in our 1995 GT-40. My father told me that they found co-agulation in the oil passages which lead to an oil starved lower end. The MC owner has a bit of a temper, when the motor started knocking he buried the throttle for 3 miles and let it tear itself apart. When they pulled the pan there where metal shavings (like lathe shavings) in the pan.

[jedgell]

Auskier,
I have been using Castrol SAE 40 oil, found it at Autozone. I think they also carry Penzoil, might be called HD 40.

[Sbt3]

I was having a hard time finding the straight 40 oil earlier this year for my 97 gt-40 and emailed PCM and they said it would be ok to use 15w-40. I did eventually find a 40w oil at napa. I bought a case of it right away. I also spoke to a mechanic that I trust who has been working on inboards for 20+ years and he said that running straight 40w can sometimes actually cause problems with blowing out the main crank seal or something like that because of the pressure in the case if the engine isn't warm. He said it was mainly spec'd that way for the south and up north he recommended 15w-40 for what it's worth.