Oil Analysis

[billk2632]

Anyone here have their oil analyzed by someone like Blackstone? I have not, but decided to have the oil that came out of my VP 300 analyzed this year.

Engine: 2014 VP 300 (5.7, raw water cooled) 287hrs.
Oil: Volvo Penta 10w30 mineral oil, 60hrs
Their comments:
"The mechanical parts didn't put much metal in to the oil—the wear metals compare
nicely to universal averages (which are based on ~45 hours of oil use). Note the viscosity was low for 10W/30. Fuel
dilution read at 0.5%, which is harmless."

The one interesting thing they mentioned was that the oil viscosity was low for a 10w30. I bought the boat in August 2022 with just over 200hrs. Being new to Cobalts and Volvo Penta, I had the dealer service it that first year -- they use the Volvo Penta 10w30 in older and smaller engines and the 10w40 Synthetic in the new ones. This past fall I serviced the boat myself and switched to the Volvo Penta 10w40 Synthetic (also use the Volvo Penta gear lube, filters etc). So, I am thinking my switch to the 10w40 oil was a good one. I don't necessarily think the 10w30 Mineral is bad, but it was showing some degradation after 60hrs of use and the 10w40 is probably better.
I will probably have the oil analyzed next year - this was a nice bit of information to ponder over during the winter.

[jhnmdahl]

Backstone is a neat service - I've done it with a car, but not with my boat. Their typical report seems to tell you that your oil is more or less what you should expect, but the occasional case where they can warn of things not quite right or impending doom combined with the relatively low cost of an oil analysis makes me think it's a good idea, especially with a used boat or car.

[Krob1114]

Anyone here have their oil analyzed by someone like Blackstone? I have not, but decided to have the oil that came out of my VP 300 analyzed this year.

Engine: 2014 VP 300 (5.7, raw water cooled) 287hrs.
Oil: Volvo Penta 10w30 mineral oil, 60hrs
Their comments:
"The mechanical parts didn't put much metal in to the oil—the wear metals compare
nicely to universal averages (which are based on ~45 hours of oil use). Note the viscosity was low for 10W/30. Fuel
dilution read at 0.5%, which is harmless."

The one interesting thing they mentioned was that the oil viscosity was low for a 10w30. I bought the boat in August 2022 with just over 200hrs. Being new to Cobalts and Volvo Penta, I had the dealer service it that first year -- they use the Volvo Penta 10w30 in older and smaller engines and the 10w40 Synthetic in the new ones. This past fall I serviced the boat myself and switched to the Volvo Penta 10w40 Synthetic (also use the Volvo Penta gear lube, filters etc). So, I am thinking my switch to the 10w40 oil was a good one. I don't necessarily think the 10w30 Mineral is bad, but it was showing some degradation after 60hrs of use and the 10w40 is probably better.
I will probably have the oil analyzed next year - this was a nice bit of information to ponder over during the winter.

I'm thinking the synthetic made a bigger difference than the 10w-40.

[NautiWeasel]

I like Blackstone Labs. Their reports have actually helped me sell my used vehicles when we were ready to sell (never trade in). I've used them on every out of warranty vehicle I've ever owned, and their service is worth the money to me. I do all my own maintenance on everything I own, and almost always do all the mechanic work as well. I think I'm going to use Blackstone for the Cobalt this year too, just for peace of mind like you did.
Glad you got good news using them.

[bruceb58]

What viscosity oil does the manual suggest using? I would be surprised if it was 10W30 but I don't know what Volvo recommends these days.

[jhnmdahl]

What viscosity oil does the manual suggest using? I would be surprised if it was 10W30 but I don't know what Volvo recommends these days.

It's their own 10W-40 synthetic. Recommendation if that's not available is to use that or higher (i.e., no 5W-40, 10W-30, etc.), but also specifying that it be NMMA FC-W Catalyst Compatible.

I've been using Mobil 1 15W-50 in the cheap jugs from Wal-Mart, but to each their own. If that wasn't available, I'd likely consider something like Shell Rotella T6 in 15W-40 due to the consistent heavy loads marine engines pull.

[bruceb58]

What viscosity oil does the manual suggest using? I would be surprised if it was 10W30 but I don't know what Volvo recommends these days.

It's their own 10W-40 synthetic. Recommendation if that's not available is to use that or higher (i.e., no 5W-40, 10W-30, etc.), but also specifying that it be NMMA FC-W Catalyst Compatible.

I've been using Mobil 1 15W-50 in the cheap jugs from Wal-Mart, but to each their own. If that wasn't available, I'd likely consider something like Shell Rotella T6 in 15W-40 due to the consistent heavy loads marine engines pull.

10W-40 is kind of a weird viscosity. You can find it in the high mileage oils bit not in regular synthetic. I would just use the Volvo at $43/gallon.