Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 12v engine oil recomendations

[jeepullr]

Did a quick search and found no definitive answers.



Do our 12v's like a certain brand of oil?



Do they like Dino juice over the Synthetics?



Do they like a different oil as they get older, 100+k miles, 200+k miles, 300+k miles?

 

[SSage]

I would choose an oil and stick to it. I will use Delvac 1300 15w40 and change it out every 5K or so on the 12 valve.

 

[DBazley]

Well just my . 02 for you...



I've got 142 k miles on my '97 CTD and it's had synthetic Amsoil Heavy Duty Diesel oil since new, runs perfect as always.



I did add the 'dual remote by-pass' filter which remounts the stock full flow filter, and adds their extra fine by pass filtration, too. Get's the elements down where you can change 'em easy.



I've analysied the oil, and even after 1 year or 20 k miles it was good for continued use - sometimes I'd change it anyhow.



I recently ran out of Amsoil, and noticed that Mobil 1 now has a 'heavy duty diesel truck approved oil' - 5/40 w at Walmart. I changed both elements and used that oil - it has a very good feel now, engine is a bit smoother.



Probably most oils will work for you - it depends on your needs.



For me, I have too many vehicles and this truck takes too many quarts for me to waste my time with non-synthetics. They gel on the cold winter mornings, and need changing too frequently. Plus, on those up hill grades at max power & temperature, it's a comfort knowing the synthetic oil won't break down cause I'm pulling hard. It's way easier to use them, than to change an engine !



Best to you, David Bazley

 

[KBaucom]

Mobil delvac 1300super 15W-40. way better than any rotella T crap

 

[Diesel Nut]

I have had Amsoil in all but one of my trucks. My 93, 02, and 03 loved it. 75K onmy 03 now, about 70K with Amsoil. My 92 had a tearible leak when I bought it (93 got stolen, panicked, bought another truck to get around), so every fuel stop meant the better part of a quart. Good way to keep the oil clean though! :-laf

 

[bmoeller]

I use Rotella T. Was running the Delac 1300 before. Only switched because the R-T is easier to get. Both seem to be fine. Never done an oil analysis to compare that way though.

 

[Cumminsman]

all 3 of my ctd's have or will have rottella t 15-40. 95 has 173k on the od. never had any problems. oil changed every 3k. 01. 5 has 97k oil changed every 4k. 06 will have the oil changed every 5k. i've never had any problems with the internals on any of these ctd's

 

[Centeno1]

hmmm

i'm running valvoline premium blue for cummins engines and so far it's been good in my 97 12 valve... . but what can you tell at only 309,000 miles. ask me again when ive hit 600,000 miles and am running twins with 370's and a plate



ps twins not quite done thats why they arent part of the sig

 

[dtygart]

Rotella-T 15w-30 with oil analysis every oil change--200+k miles

david

 

[CEdwards]

I run rotella in all our gasoline and diesel engines. That would be a total of 9 engines and never a problem. some of these run 24 hours a day 365 days a year on pumpjacks and never rebuilt one yet in a little over five years. Its inexpensive and readily available. Thats good enough for me.

 

[Turbo Thom]

Not to start a fight, but yesterday I changed oil in a 24V that has been runnin Rotella T, because of the price. Say what you want, but that stuff will never be installed in a truck by my hands. Some mechanics like it cause that's their job, to fix broke trucks. I think Amsoil, like the company or not, has the best diesel oil in the 15W-40 Marine oil, on the market. My 3500 has 332K miles and I have a 1500 360 with 264K, and both, use no oil and run like new. How could anybody use anything else?



. . Preston. .

 

[Bart]

I didn't see anyone mention the Delo 400 15/40. I've got 168K on my '98 and that's all that's been in there since I got it over a 100,000 miles ago.

 

[PKemp]

I've been running Rotella now for 10 years in my 3500. Can you switch horses in mid stream ? Can I switch to a synthetic without causing any harm?

I've been told that doing so would ruin the seals... .

 

[Woodenhead]

Synthetic and Seals

I've been sticking to Rotella, it's easy enough to find and the father in law works for Shell. If it's good enough for the big trucks I'm sure it's good enough for mine. My old '89CTD had Synthetic in it when I bought it and the rear main leaked like it wasn't even there, you could actually watch it drip. I changed the oil to Rotella T and the leak went away. Figure that one out.



Mike

 

[Centeno1]

side note

the guy i bought my truck from was a diesel mechanic and had been running the valvoline in all 3 of his cummins. the 94 had 700,000+ and going strong with mods mine had 260,000+ and he had been inside it for some mods and said the internals looked like new no cam pitting and what not... ... . my vote is valvoline, or amsoil both are proven in high mileage situations. the guys that say ... oh ive got 150,000 on ... ... . oughta know their trucks would run that long on spit for oil so until you get up there or are inside the motor you just dont know Oo.

 

[Turbo Thom]

I ran the Valvoline in mine for the first 70K miles. Switch to the synthetic and have been there the last 260K.



I can't explain the leak, cause I never had the problem. But your reasoning for using Rotella T, that's like saying I drive a Ford cause daddy works for um. It ain't the best choice, but it is a ride. The right choice for me, anyway.



And Yes, change it whenver you want and go on with your business. But I would let it drain as long as you can. And if you have a 12V, remember, the pump holds about a quart, so to drain that would be nice.



. . Preston. .

 

[DieselTweaker]

I run Delvac 1300 in my 12v and I love it.

 

[AStarr]

Oil

My truck has 220k miles on it, I have had it for about 12k miles and changed the oil when i first got it and put in Rotella T. Then when at the Cummins dealership noticed the preium blue. So next oil change put that in. I had more valve noise and the engine ran hotter. I left it in for 2 weeks and switched back to Rotella T yesterday. Quiter, cooler.

 

[DBrickel]

I run Delo 400. I don't think it matters that much as long as the oil is rated for diesel use and you change it on a regular basis. by the way I have 178000 on mine now and still going strong