Parting Thoughts

Lubricants, Oils, Sealants, and Adhesives – Discussion and Cross-Reference

Both Volvo Penta and MerCruiser recommend and supply their own lubricants, oils, sealants, and adhesives.  All manufacturers (and Marine Parts Express as well) strongly urge all consumers to use only original and manufacturer-specified chemicals on their marine engines.  If an engine is under warranty, failure to use the recommended chemicals can void the warranty.

As Volvo Penta says:

The properties of the preparations differ, and they are intended for different strengths of fastener, temperature, resistance to oil and other chemicals, and for the different materials and gap thicknesses found in the engine.  It is therefore important that the correct types of sealant and locking fluids are used on the fasteners where needed, to give a fully acceptable service result.

There are a whole bunch of different types of single component sealants (Air Cure, Anaerobic, Cyanoacrylates, Heat Cure, Moisture Cure, Radiation Cure and Silicon), but the three that are used commonly in the marine world are.

Room Temperature Vulcanizing (RTV) Preparations

These are used on or with gaskets and are visible when used.  It is important that the old material be removed and the surface is free from oil, grease, paint and anything else that may be on the surface. Most times RTV substances can be removed with denatured alcohol.  Loctite 574 (gasket sealant) is an example of an RTV.

Anaerobic Preparations

These are preparations that harden without the need for air.  These are used, for example, when two solid components, such as two cast components, are fitted together without a gasket.   Most anaerobic preparations are glassy and colored to make them visible.  Almost always there is no chemical that will remove old applications other than physically removing them (i.e. elbow grease).  Loctite 243 (thread locking fluid) is an example of an anaerobic preparation.

Cyanoacrylates Preparations

These are the “super glue” kind and are (more or less) instant-cure.   When they cure they are thermoplastic and have limited heat and chemical resistance.  The “super glue” from Ad Tech that you see in Wal-Mart is an example.

There are also a number of two component sealants (Epoxies, Methyl Methacrylates, Silicon Adhesives, and Urethanes), but really only the epoxy kind is used in the marine engine and gear world.  Epoxy is not used very often as it is completely permanent, but there are some applications that call for it.

Two Part Epoxy Sealants

These are two part systems (hardener and resin) and create their own heat to cure.  Mercruiser uses a kit (92-65150-1) for some specialized sealant applications.

Just to restate, Marine Parts Express always recommends that the original OEM lubricants, sealants and adhesives be used.  However, at times we realize that aftermarket versions are the only ones available in an emergency.

Below are cross reference tables showing the original Volvo Penta and MerCruiser part numbers along with those parts that we have identified as aftermarket equivalents.  But we do not guarantee that these aftermarket versions are identical to the OEM ones or that they will work properly.  These are our best estimates.

MerCruiser Chemicals Cross-Reference

Volvo Penta Chemicals Cross Reference

Categories: Musings

Tags: adhesives, Anaerobic, chemicals, cross reference, Cyanoacryclates, lubricants, mercruiser, oils, RTV, sealants, volvo penta

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