Oil for Universal 5424

[MarkSF]

This is a question that often provokes a collective groan on car forums, but anyway I would be interested to hear opinions. What oil would you recommend for my Universal 5424? I have the original manual but it seems to me that oil has moved on a little since 1984.

[JimsCAL]

Any good quality oil SAE 30 or SAE 15W/40 rated for diesels is fine. I used Shell Rotella 15W/40 in my previous Universal 5411 and also in my current Yanmar 3GM30.

[WanderingStar]

Originally Posted by JimsCAL

Any good quality oil SAE 30 or SAE 15W/40 rated for diesels is fine. I used Shell Rotella 15W/40 in my previous Universal 5411 and also in my current Yanmar 3GM30.

And in my 1968 Perkins 4-107.

[CalebD]

And in my 43 year old Atomic 4 engine. It is a Shell product but Rotella-T is one of the few oils that are good for both gas and diesel engines. My gas engine seems to like the 30W oil up in the northeast US.

Originally Posted by JimsCAL

Any good quality oil SAE 30 or SAE 15W/40 rated for diesels is fine. I used Shell Rotella 15W/40 in my previous Universal 5411 and also in my current Yanmar 3GM30.

[bwindrope]

MarkSF,
I use Chevron 15/40 in my Universal 5432 (M40) and she runs just fine. You can get it cheap at Costco too. And, the gallon jugs when cut right make perfect bailers for your dinghy.

More important than type of oil (given basic parameters) is when you change it and the fuel cleanliness and the thermostat setting/operating temp.

Just change it every 50-100 hours, keep fuel and filters clean, and run her at something above 180 degrees if she is fresh water cooled.