Oil for Volvo Penta 120 SE base – Pogo 850

[Gérard (POGOYELO)]

Hello,

The workshop manual I have – 02-2001 edition – specifies API GL5/SAE 75W/90 synthetic oil for the 120 SE baseplate – the case of my Pogo 850, but the local shipchandler told me that Volvo had revised its recommendation and that grade 15W40 was now to be used, which I doubt very much as this is a very heavily used clutch mechanism.

Thanks to anyone who can enlighten me on this point, I don’t have a Volvo dealer or workshop nearby.

Happy sailing to all,

Gérard

[Alain (Dame.Blanche)]

Your ship is right.

Modified recommendations for oil quality in S-bases
130S-A, 130S-B, 130SR-A, 130SR-B, 150S-A, 150S-B, 150SR-A, 150SR-B
Binder: Date: 09-2010 Page: 1(1)
Volvo Penta has modified the recommendations for
oil quality in S-bases.
S-bases manufactured from September 2010 onwards
will have a sticker with the information “SAE 15W-40
ONLY” affixed to the oil filler.
Subbases manufactured before this date have a sticker with the text
with the text “ATF OIL ONLY”.
Volvo Penta recommends that ATF oil be replaced by
with SAE 15W-40 engine oil in all S-bases
at the next oil change.
In the event of slippage/delayed engagement
volvo Penta recommends replacing the disc assembly and
and replace the oil with motor oil
sAE 15W-40 motor oil.
SAE 15W40
ONLY3306 301 026
P0014226
AB Volvo Penta
SE-405 08 Göteborg
Sweden
Service Bulletin
Group
44-1
Number
85
Version
1

[Gérard (POGOYELO)]

Thank you for your reply.

I was aware of the 2010 recommendation you mention. My ship, which I re-solicited with a workshop manual, contacted VOLVO Marine, which indicated that it was appropriate to use API GL5/SAE 75W/90 synthetic oil. My ship, though serious and acting in good faith, was wrong…

In the end, Volvo replaced the clutch and the guide sleeve (bi-cone) and the ship told me that everything was working properly. (I haven’t checked it out yet, but I will soon… )

Happy sailing 2025

Best regards

Gérard – Pogoyelo

[Author]

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