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8.1 Volvo Penta oil capacity???

Posted: October 17th, 2021, 2:39 pm
by PoppyTortuga
This one is driving me crazy captains and I need some guidance. I have the 8.1 Volvo Penta engines. The manual states it takes 8 quarts for an oil change and 9 quarts with oil/filter... so it will always be 9 quarts for me when I do oil changes. Wow! That seems like a lot of oil... was my first response. I also have a Reverso pump connected that the original PO had installed when he ordered the boat new from Carver... I'm the second owner. He (the PO) told me he only sucked out 6 - 6.5 quarts every time he did his oil change and it pulls from the oil pan. I hand traced the Reverso lines and they DO NOT go to the bottom of engine... so that part is incorrect. They go to the outside dip stick pipes (Penta's have 2 dip sticks... 1 on each side of engine, i.e., inside and outside for this conversation). When I did my first oil change I too sucked out ~6 quarts. AND since the Reverso line goes to the oil dip stick pipe I'm wondering if the PO, and now me, are leaving 2.5-3 quarts in the oil pan? That's what is driving my crazy... thinking used oil not getting sucked out. NOTE: it only took 6 quarts to fill thereafter... obviously.

Now, doing my online research people are telling me the Penta 8.1 only takes 6 quarts... and the manual is wrong. I know at the next oil change I'll borrow a portable oil sucker and try to confirm I have it all out... but until then... can anyone confirm by their experience (no opinions please) what they actually get out of their 8.1 Pentas.
NOTE: I also contacted Reverso and was told the dip stick option hose length would be determined by the installer (Carver in this case) so if was cut too short that could be the problem.

Thank you for helping me sleep better tonight :)
Bob

Re: 8.1 Volvo Penta oil capacity???

Posted: October 17th, 2021, 4:01 pm
by Midnightsun
Sure looks like a TYPO! DonS was a very knowledgeable boat mechanic by the way, unfortunately he passed away several years ago. He was very prevalent on many forums so I definitely believe his answer to this post. https://forums.iboats.com/threads/oil-c ... -h.533829/

Re: 8.1 Volvo Penta oil capacity???

Posted: October 17th, 2021, 6:02 pm
by pepmyster
In my 8.1 VP with filter I put 6.5 liters. Perfect level.

Re: 8.1 Volvo Penta oil capacity???

Posted: October 18th, 2021, 1:34 pm
by Steve2020
My 8.1 VP take 6.5 with filter

Re: 8.1 Volvo Penta oil capacity???

Posted: October 20th, 2021, 8:09 pm
by PoppyTortuga
Thank you all for your replies... :worthy: Sounds like 6.5 is my new magic number. I shall sleep well tonight. Time for a night cap :beergood:

Re: 8.1 Volvo Penta oil capacity???

Posted: October 20th, 2021, 8:23 pm
by PoppyTortuga
Midnightsun wrote:Source of the post Sure looks like a TYPO! DonS was a very knowledgeable boat mechanic by the way, unfortunately he passed away several years ago. He was very prevalent on many forums so I definitely believe his answer to this post. https://forums.iboats.com/threads/oil-c ... -h.533829/


Yeah, I saw that post but couldn't locate a manual or bulletin to verify. Thanks again for the help. Much appreciated.