Cannot find CI4 rated oil?

[JPereira]

It is time to change my oil. I wanted to try the Delo 400 CI-4 rated. When I went to some local parts store all I could find was the CJ-4 rated oils?



Rotella T 15/40 said CJ-4, Delo 400 LE CJ-4 All of the oils they had on the shelf at 3 stores I went to only had CJ-4 rated oils. Is it already at the point that the oil manufacturers are no longer making the CI-4 oil?



Is there any chain of stores that someone knows is still selling CI-4 oil?

I would like to find the Delo if possible? I have been using the Rotella T prior to this change.



Thanks, Jeff

 

[WCounts]

CI-4 is being replaced by CJ-4. The oil companies claim CJ-4 is a better oil that also with stands higher temps. I would rather use CI-4 but CJ-4 will soon be all you can get.

 

[sid325]

Same here, all the stores I checked only had CJ-4, in anything. Talked to a friend that works for Chevron and CJ-4 is only oil Chevron is producing, no more CI-4.



Sid

 

[roperteacher]

I was just going to post about this same thing!! LOLOL I changed my oil today and was faced with the same decision. ALl were CJ4. I had my choice of Delvac, Delo, Rotella T, Valvolene. ALl were CJ4... All of the bottles also said they were compatible with PRE 2007 Diesel engines... .

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I just today bought the last 2 gallon jugs of the CI4 Plus the local drug store had - they sell it cheaper than NAPA...



It will be very interesting to see the oil analysis reports as the switch to the CJ stuff becomes more common - especially on higher mileage runs on the oil as common with the CI oils. So far, I have about 4-5 years worth of the CI4 Plus stuff stockpiled, so OK for a while.

 

[FourBarR]

Checked with local Shell dealer,they still have cI 4 in 5 gal. and 45 gal. drums. Not available now in plastic bottles.

 

[sid325]

There was a thread over on DTR about mixing the new CJ-4 with a couple quarts of high quality synthetic oil. What do you guys think? Would that bring back or add to what the CJ-4 is lacking in? Longer change intervals and better wear protection?



Sid

 

[roperteacher]

So can someone tell me what the biggest differences are between the CI4 and CJ4??? Has the new oil taken AWAY something from the previous or has it gotten better??? Thanks!!

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

So can someone tell me what the biggest differences are between the CI4 and CJ4??? Has the new oil taken AWAY something from the previous or has it gotten better??? Thanks!!

Some of the additives that now threaten some of the emissions devices in the exhaust system of the latest trucks have been removed, reduced or modified. The question is, will it compromise the lubricating and stability of the oil, especially in older engines - naturally the oil companies and their supporters say no, but... .



Time will tell - meanwhile, I *KNOW* the CI4 Plus stuff works great, so I'll use it as long as I can...

 

[big barney]

I called Chevron about two weeks ago. They told me they were going to continue making the CI4+ for at least a year. Here in San Diego I can still get it in 5 gallons buckets. Email Chevron and they will tell you were you can find it.

 

[MLee]

Check with the oil wholesalers in your area. As stated I found delo in the 5gal bucket and 55 gal drums, also. no plastic jugs, from a wholsaler that sells retail and does the packageing from the rail car to the smaller containers.

At my local wal-mart they had CI4 + the last time in. So just keep checking around its still there in the gal containers.

Marv.

 

[Buffalo]

When I called Chevron, they said that they still would be manufacturing the CI-4+ but, only distributing it in large containers. I was not told of the 5 gal. buckets, at that time. 55 gal. drums was the smallest container. They are keeping it in stock for the large trucking companys & industrial users.



If you're interested in a fully synthetic, 5X40 oil, Schaeffer's 9000 is still available in the CI-4+ & will be until, at least, 2010. Their semi-synthetic, 15X40, 7000 series has changed over to the CJ-4. However, I just read on BITOG (bob is the oil guy.com) that they 'may' be manufacturing both grades.

When I called Schaeffer's, they said that the 7000 would be CJ-4, only.



Schaeffer's products are of extremely high quality but, many people have never heard of them. They are very highly thought of on BITOG & have UOA's (used oil analysis) reports to back up their claims. The 9000 , for a fully synthetic, is reasonably priced, also.



There is some talk at BITOG regarding the CI-4+ vs. the CJ-4 & it seems that the CJ-4 isn't as 'weak' as some may have thought. Some UOA's are coming back with good results. Some are saying that the reformulation has actually created a more robust motor oil (that's what I heard from, both, Chevron & Schaeffer's, also. ). Time, along with a pattern of good UOA's, will confirm whether, or not, the new formulation is all that it is said to be by the manufacturers.



The new CJ-4 seems to be better than I, initially, thought it would be. I, even, bought the last 5 cases of the old CI-4+ at Costco (Chev. Delo). No matter what, the Delo, CI-4+ was considered to be an exceptionally good motor oil, even if the CJ-4 turns out to be better.



From what I've read, it appears that if you are running ULSD, the CJ-4 will perform very well since it's built to not have to deal with very much sulphur. If you're running LSD, you may have to change the oil a bit more frequently since it doesn't have the capabilities of dealing with a lot of sulphur. This will have the greatest effect on those of us that are extending our oil change intervals & are running LSD. Most of us don't extend these intervals much, at all, & should not have a problem with the new formulation.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

There is some talk at BITOG regarding the CI-4+ vs. the CJ-4 & it seems that the CJ-4 isn't as 'weak' as some may have thought. Some UOA's are coming back with good results. Some are saying that the reformulation has actually created a more robust motor oil (that's what I heard from, both, Chevron & Schaeffer's, also. ). Time, along with a pattern of good UOA's, will confirm whether, or not, the new formulation is all that it is said to be by the manufacturers.



And therein lies the mystery/confusion/distrust!



As each new formulation hits the scene, it's accompanied by lots of hoopla as to how it is "superior" to all that came before it. And yet, in this particular case, we have a reformulation that from all external appearances, is based more upon what has been REMOVED, reduced or modified to arrive at it's current state - what appears to be an effort to convince users that "less is more" and not only that, but BETTER...



SO, were they lying as to the benefits of the previous stuff - or are they lying to us now due to a formulation change forced upon them by the EPA? YUP, skeptic that I am, I'll stick with the "wait and see" mode of acceptance! :-laf

 

[Cal Brewin]

I have been happy with the CJ-4 Rotella 15w40. My last UOA came back very good except for elevated potassium. TBN on my VOA was 10. 2, and TBN was still 8. 2 after 7,400 miles. Here is a link to the used oil analysis.



Bob Is The Oil Guy: 06 Dodge 5. 9L CTD w/7,405 on Rotella T 15w40 CJ-4

 

[Buffalo]

Gary-K7GLD,



I know how you feel. I'm not comfortable with the 'new' formulation, either. That's why I bought 5 cases of the old CI-4+.



The comments in my previous post only suggest that the 'new' formulation MAY not be as bad as originally thought by some folks.



Personally, I hope the CJ-4 proves to be a quality, robust product due to the fact that, eventually, the CI-4+ will be phased out & no longer available.



Like you, I'm a bit troubled that we seem to be going 'downhill' in oil quality, as some have suggested.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[sid325]

OK, I feel better. I just picked up Ten 5-gallon buckets of Chevron Delo 400 CI-4+. Hopefully by the time I use all the oil the CJ-4 will have proven itself.



Sid

 

[roperteacher]

I E-mailed Cummins Directly with the CJ4 question. I explained that I had a Pre-2007 5. 9 L and asked if the CJ4 was going to be a problem. THe response was brief, but here it is,





CJ-4 is the newest API performance rating and is fine for the all Cummins engines.



That was it!! But it was something!

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I guess one way to look at the issue, as far as the older engines are concerned - is that the "old" CI4-Plus is probably the BEST oil Chevron ever put out for our engines - and no known downside or "sacrifice" in quality or engine protection as compared to the CJ stuff - or any reason to avoid the CI4 stuff in favor of the CJ.



IF the CJ stuff proves effective over the long haul, great - but meanwhile we have known and proven excellence in the CI4-Plus stuff that has served so well to this point.

 

[steved]

Based on my 10k UOA of Rotella CJ-4 and my experience running both CJ-4 and CI-4+, I will be switching to CJ-4 as soon as the new bypass is installed and not looking back.



IME. the CJ-4 retains its optical clarity longer and flows better at cold temperatures.



Again, these are MY thoughts on the matter... and if CI-4+ isn't available, what are you going to do???



steved

 

[amsoilman]

API CJ-4 Rated Oils were mandated for the 2007 engines manufactued after 1 January 0f 2007, and are backwards compatible for use in any Diesel engine, so it is safe to use the CJ-4 oils in prior applications pre-1 January 2007.



If anyone is interested in using a CI-4 Plus oil in pre-2007 engines, that should be no problem either. Amsoil Inc. is still producing the API rated CI-4 Plus, as well as the CJ-4. They plan on producing the CI-4 Plus for several more years for anyone that wants to use the CI-4 Plus oil.



Keep in mind, CJ-4 is a requirement for the newest Diesel engines due to the DPF's!



Wayne

amsoilman