Subject: 40W oil causing wear problems over 30w?
From: Earl Haase
Wow! That sure generated a lot of talk here. I read your post and my
understanding is that your question was, would using 40 wt instead of 30
wt cause unreasonable wear to your genset engine.
You are correct.
The answer is no.
As I thought.
30
wt and 40 wt are not that much different. Once hot they will both do
the same job. A quick search on the web will show that both have pour
weights in the 20s (deg F) so start up lubrication will not be that much
different. As far as prelubing the engine before start up goes, do you
really care that much?
No.
Are you really going to do that faithfully? So
long as you don't sit there revving the engine before the oil pressure
comes up the gen engine should last for years.
Very true. And the owner is even now starting to shop for a bigger (130-150ft.)
boat to have in the next 18-24 months.
However, my guess is that the real issue here is making sure you don't
bust your warranties.
Correct again.
So if it matters that much write the generator
company and get them to give you written authorization to use the 40 wt
oil in the gen set. (My first choice.)
Tried that. They won't do it.
You might want to leave out
that you've already bought the unit. It just seems that once people
have your money they tend to be less helpful. Just tell them your
interested and want to know if their units can use 40 wt oil since
you're going places where they don't have a Pep Boys on every corner.
Didn't try that. Will next time. :-)
My second choice would be if worse comes to worse, how much oil do you
need for the gen set anyway?
5 or so gals. per.
And how many hours are you going to run it
compared to the mains?
A lot more. As the boat will be anchored out a lot on charter.
Not being a fan of multi weights I would suggest
that if you don't want to run 40 wt in the gen run it in the mains and
the trannys and keep a stash of 30 wt for the generator instead of the
other way around.
Basically what we are doing. 15-40W in the mains and gens, 40W for the trannys.
You can live without the gen set but it's a long walk
home without the mains.
True bruder, true.
Capt. Bill