Oil thoughts....please

[jjdiesel]

I have run nothing but Valvoline Premium Blue CI+ since new in my signature truck. When the writing was on the wall that it was going to be discontinued, I stock-piled a few cases. I have just completed my last oil change with it....I'm out! What would you guys switch to? Should I stick with CI+ (Amsoil still makes it)?...or just fly with the latest classification? I've never used synthetic. The truck has 162k on it and doesn't use a drop. I am admittedly, crazy meticulous with this truck. Would appreciate your input! TIA

 

[Killer223]

i did the same with my early 04, it now has 250K, and i use what ever oil is on sale, usually Valvoline, sometimes tractor supply's travellers, and it really didn't show any difference in the used oil reports. i change around the 7500-8500 miles mark.
From what i gather, CI+ can still be had, but it's hard to find unless you go amsoil, but the others are out there, and if you want a stout oil the offerings from valvoline at walmart are not CK yet, and one is a synthetic blend, can't really complain about that. it's the oil that is in my deleted 08 right now.

so, in summery, clean oil, of the correct grade for the climate you live, will be just fine.

 

[DonFitzwater]

i did the same with my early 04, it now has 250K, and i use what ever oil is on sale, usually Valvoline, sometimes tractor supply's travellers, and it really didn't show any difference in the used oil reports. i change around the 7500-8500 miles mark.
From what i gather, CI+ can still be had, but it's hard to find unless you go amsoil, but the others are out there, and if you want a stout oil the offerings from valvoline at walmart are not CK yet, and one is a synthetic blend, can't really complain about that. it's the oil that is in my deleted 08 right now.

so, in summery, clean oil, of the correct grade for the climate you live, will be just fine.

^^^This is good info

 

[Killgore]

Just like you I have been using Premium Blue for a long time and 'agonized' over the change in classifications. I now average about a quart being burned between oil changes which I religiously adhere to at around 7,000-8,000 miles. My truck is now broken in with about 268,000 and I pull really heavy. My oil samples are consistently good with no levels out of the normal range. I will continue to trust the Valvoline and watch for any change in the OA.

- Ed

 

[jjdiesel]

Just like you I have been using Premium Blue for a long time and 'agonized' over the change in classifications. I now average about a quart being burned between oil changes which I religiously adhere to at around 7,000-8,000 miles. My truck is now broken in with about 268,000 and I pull really heavy. My oil samples are consistently good with no levels out of the normal range. I will continue to trust the Valvoline and watch for any change in the OA.

- Ed

Ed, so do you just use what's currently on the shelf? Thanks.

 

[GrantP]

I have had two "bad" Blackstone reports using Valvoline 5w-40 CK-4. Iron levels came up substantially with that oil. I've switched back to Lucas CI-4 15w-40 that I've had good reports from in the past. I'm convinced my engine is not happy with that CK-4 but I'll know for sure on the next report.

 

[Tuesdak]

I have run "on sale" brand of the month oil and found that it can "shock" the UOA samples. The worst offender being Royal Purple that shot copper through the roof and typical of conventional to synthetic switch numbers. If you are running UOA the most stable thing to do is stick with the same brand unless the UOA shows problems with it. Change only when you have too. Otherwise you are left wondering if it was the oil brand change or a real problem from the UOA.

UOA showing problems with a oil choice?: For example ruining conventional oil in a Hot Rod diesel I built. One of the rare switch to synthetic success stories vs. more expensive larger oil coolers or removing the BD spool valve that was keeping more heat in the engine....

 

[Killgore]

JJ, I'm just using what's on the shelf as long as it's Premium Blue, and trusting Valvoline that it's backwards compatible. The OA provides me with data to compare whether or not the engine is experiencing anything abnormal. JDoremire, I think is correct in that when you start switching back and forth you run the likelihood of seeing some extremes especially with copper. I experienced this when I switched to synthetic and then quickly decided I didn't need to spend more money with our warm climate in this area. It's also my opinion that changes between brands introduces some variations between detergents, surfactants and dispersants that can release additional metallic deposits, soot, etc. so I just stay consistent. I'm probably all wet, but it seems to work.

- Ed

 

[jjdiesel]

Thanks Ed, just wanted to confirm. Thanks for your input, it's definitely helpful.

 

[Killgore]

About an hour ago I received the attached OA from Blackstone. Oo.

View attachment SNOW WHITE-171203.pdf

 

[AH64ID]

I'm still running CI-4 oil. I use Amsoil AME.

Here is my UOA record for this motor. The 2 flags on the first sample are from some residual Delo in the motor when I switched to AME.

 

[ZBrooks]

I feel like a broken record, but after spending so much time researching different oils, I've decided that if the oil meets the Cummins CES20086 spec, I'll use it. I had enough Valvoline Premium Classic Blue CI/4+ on hand that neither my wife's Excursion nor my pickup saw the CJ rated oil. Currently, I am using a CK rated Purus 15w/40 that I purchased for $8/gal.

 

[JR]

Mobil Delvac is running a $7 per gallon online rebate through the end of the year at participating locations, I bought 5 gallons on sale at Advanced Auto at $13 a gallon, once I get the rebate back I'll be into it for $6 a gallon. These engines really don't care what you dump in them, I've seen many 10,000+ hour examples off of cheap fleet spec oil. By multiple operators that don't give a second thought to getting in and opening up the wick right off a cold start. And then shut it down right after a hard run. You'd be better off putting effort into a better fuel filtration system if you haven't already.

 

[jgillott]

Mobil Delvac is running a $7 per gallon online rebate through the end of the year at participating locations, I bought 5 gallons on sale at Advanced Auto at $13 a gallon, once I get the rebate back I'll be into it for $6 a gallon. These engines really don't care what you dump in them, I've seen many 10,000+ hour examples off of cheap fleet spec oil. By multiple operators that don't give a second thought to getting in and opening up the wick right off a cold start. And then shut it down right after a hard run. You'd be better off putting effort into a better fuel filtration system if you haven't already.

My 3rd gens have been on Delvac since new and equate to over 500K of use with no oil related issues. My former 2001 ran it also. I have yet to sample the new CK version (I wanted to on my last change but accidentally contaminated the sample) but will do so on the next one.

The price you listed is good. I'll also add that I have been finding it on Amazon for as low as $11/gal at times.

 

[jjdiesel]

I'm still running CI-4 oil. I use Amsoil AME.

Here is my UOA record for this motor. The 2 flags on the first sample are from some residual Delo in the motor when I switched to AME.

Thank you John for that report. So had you been running the Delo for a long time before switching?

 

[AH64ID]

I ran delo for 10K miles, and 3 changes, following a rebuild. AME is my standard oil, but I didn’t want to use it for the breakin.

I really didn’t like having Dino 15w-40 in the motor. The pressure was noticeably slower to build than AME. I have a pressure sender on the cam journal, so the oil has to travel a little to give me pressure.

I feel like a broken record, but after spending so much time researching different oils, I've decided that if the oil meets the Cummins CES20086 spec, I'll use it.

They are backwards compatible and should work just fine.

That being said I still think the additives and TBN of CI oil make it a better oil, and I’ll run it as long as it’s made. Once CI is gone I won’t go out of my way to find something different, so I’m hoping Amsoil makes this oil for a long time.

 

[jjdiesel]

Mobil Delvac is running a $7 per gallon online rebate through the end of the year at participating locations, I bought 5 gallons on sale at Advanced Auto at $13 a gallon, once I get the rebate back I'll be into it for $6 a gallon. These engines really don't care what you dump in them, I've seen many 10,000+ hour examples off of cheap fleet spec oil. By multiple operators that don't give a second thought to getting in and opening up the wick right off a cold start. And then shut it down right after a hard run. You'd be better off putting effort into a better fuel filtration system if you haven't already.

Good advice on the fuel filtration...I updated my sig...thanks!

 

[JR]

I'd love to see an independent test comparing current spec to CI+4. Given all the ISB/ISM specific tests required for the CK and the extended drain intervals compared to almost 15 years ago, I would be very surprised to see the CI fair as well as some would expect.

 

[Michaelsloft]

I'd love to see an independent test comparing current spec to CI+4. Given all the ISB/ISM specific tests required for the CK and the extended drain intervals compared to almost 15 years ago, I would be very surprised to see the CI fair as well as some would expect.

X2 This would be an interesting test.

 

[AH64ID]

I'd love to see an independent test comparing current spec to CI+4. Given all the ISB/ISM specific tests required for the CK and the extended drain intervals compared to almost 15 years ago, I would be very surprised to see the CI fair as well as some would expect.

Current extended drain intervals are only extended compared to early (07.5-12) 6.7's. They are just as long as the 04.5-07 was for schedule A, which used CI. The TBN of CK is lower than CI, meaning all other things equal it won't last as long.

I'd be curious to see what driving conditions would allow 15K miles on the 13+ trucks.

From a TBN standpoint CK is a better oil than CJ.

I would love to see a test thou.