CASTROIL SYNTECH!!!

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My owners manual for my 2001 Dodge mentions Castroil Syntech as being acceptable for my truck. It also says the oil should meet the CF-4 or CG-4 oil ratings. We checked he label on the Castroil Syntech at Wal-Mart and it mentions being rated for CF but not CF-4.

Is there a difference between them?

It also mentions that it's approved for gas engines but does not mention diesel engines.
this was the full synthetic we had looked at.
If anybody knows anything about this stuff and whether this oil is okay to use please let us know. Also, we assume the synthetic oil extends the time between oil changes. Our owner's manual recommends 7500 miles between intervals. We called Cummins and they recommend 15,000 miles between oild changes. I've been changing the standard Rotella oil every 4,000 miles. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

 

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Search in the Products Forum on "synthetic" and you'll find a few days worth of reading on this topic.
You are correct, the Syntech (sp?) is NOT rated for diesels, and doesn't even come close to the heavy duty ratings required by the Cummins. Also, be careful even with Mobil 1 - it is rated for some diesels, but not the Cummins. If you want full synthetic, the two that are most popular on this board seem to be Mobil Delvac 1 (in layman's terms, the heavy-duty diesel version of their Mobil 1) and Amsoil.
As to 15,000, Cummins says that for every ISB application EXCEPT the Dodge; for our Dodge their official position is that you should change it at 7,500. Many are going 10,000, 15,000, or even more, but in general if you are going more than 7500 you should change the filter at 5 to 7. 5k, and oil analysis is also recommended. Many, if not most, of those going beyond 15,000 have bypass filters that do a much better job of getting the dirt out.
I'm splitting the difference; I'm using Amsoil HDD 5W-30, changing filters at about 6,000, and a full oil change at about 12,500. I do not have the bypass set up.

 

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would not use any oil not rated cf-4 and cg-4 castro syn is not i tried also one desperate day that I forgot to order my amsoil 15-40 cf-4 and cg-4 rated even mobil one is not rated cg-4 Good luck! I agree with HC, Ditto, dont use Mobil one and stick with 7,500 especially during warranty. Good luck again.

[This message has been edited by davedd (edited 01-14-2001). ]

 

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bigfig,
I take it you have new truck.
I don't recall that Castrol oil ever was rated for the Cummins diesel. Always was a little less then what the Cummins needs(newer diesel engines) .
The CF-4 and CG-4 are the new specifications for diesels engines. C=compression engines.
Back in 96 CE and CE/SG were the specs.
The 4 behind the letters I believe is related to sulfur(sulfated ash) content in the oil.
The Castrol Syntec is the only recommended/required lube for manual trans(or void warranty).
Castrol/GTX is great for gassers but you will need to find a diesel oil with correct the ratings.

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Bill Thomas
Missouri Mule - 96 Wht 4X4 ST CC,5 spd, 3. 54, 8 ft bed, 1 ft high cheater boards.
99 Freightliner bl/wht FL60 ISB-5. 9 24v,215 hp,520 tq,6 spd, 3. 59 nsr,16 ft box, 19. 5 tires,Wt/gvw 11,000/23000

 

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I know Castrol Synotorq is recommended for the transmission. Never heard of it being recommended for the engine.

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Curtis Harris
1997 3500 Club Cab
"CASPER"
Check out the Lone Star TDR

 

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Actually Missouri Mule, CF-4 and CG-4 are 'old' specifications. The newest engine spec for four cycle diesel engines is CH-4.

And the "-4" means for "Four Cycle" combustion as you can also have a two cycle diesel engine.

For additional information about the API (American Petroleum Institute) classification system of oils, or to the follwoing link www.api.org/eolcs

Happy ramming - enjoying my new 'Alcoa's and Michellin XPS's' with all the rain we've been having in Houston lately.

Redram

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Also make sure it is rates SH or SJ for the sliding tappets. It should read CG-4/SH, CH-4/SJ. Look at Rotella or Delo 400 for the readings.
Castol Syntec should NOT be used in a Cummins engine. Castrol Syntorq is used in the NV4500 trans. Also be careful when buying synthetic oil, there are alot that call themselves synthetic but are actually blends of petrolium and synthetic. Do some reasearch on the web.

Don

 

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Your right reram thanks for correcting my memory.
If CH-4 is the newest spec why didn't Cummins/Dodge update to the newer oil standard for 2001?
Most truck/auto owners know that you can use a higher standard (newest standard) but a few think they have to stick with what their manual says.
FYI Diesel Engines
Category Status Service
CH-4 Current Introduced December 1, 1998. For high-speed, four-stroke engines designed to meet 1998 exhaust emission standards. CH-4 oils are specifically compounded for use with diesel fuels ranging in sulfur content up to 0. 5% weight. Can be used in place of CD, CE, CF-4, and CG-4 oils.
CG-4 Current Introduced in 1995. For severe duty, high-speed, four-stroke engines using fuel with less than 0. 5% weight sulfur. CG-4 oils are required for engines meeting 1994 emission standards. Can be used in place of CD, CE, and CF-4 oils.
CF-4 Current Introduced in 1990. For high-speed, four-stroke, naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines. Can be used in place of CE oils.
CF-2 Current Introduced in 1994. For severe duty, two-stroke-cycle engines. Can be used in place of CD-II oils.
CF Current Introduced in 1994. For off-road, indirect-injected and other diesel engines including those using fuel with over 0. 5% weight sulfur. Can be used in place of CD oils.

 

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Bigfig,

I was at Walmart yesterday and was looking at the different Castrol Syntecs there. There was three different ones available, and one of them said that it was for diesels and had the cf4/ch4 ratings. I think it was a 15w-40,but I can't remember for sure. I had to really look to sift through the different ones to find it-it wasn't very obvious.
For what it's worth, I've been using the Rotella since I got the truck(at 19,000 miles)with no problems(knock on wood).

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'97 Ram,automatic,3. 54 limited-slip, 4x4,smoothie,BD fuel plate,Prime-Loc.

 

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When I got my VW Jetta TDI (diesel), the manual called for CG-4 or CH-4 oil, but did nto specify a weight. Later on VW specified a that synthetic oil was to be used and later, they specified a special diesel blend of Syntech.

At ww. tdiclub.com, we learned that there is nothing synthetic about Syntech (Castrol got in trouble with the Fed over it) and that the "diesel" formula was only a CF.

Bottom line, you can do a lot better than Syntech.

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Gregor Switca
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96 2500 4x4 auto SLT.
99. 5 VW Jetta TDI
Nothing but diesel in my driveway.

 

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Be aware that Mobil 1 "100% synthetic ATF" is NOT synthetic. The small print says 100% synthetic except for base stock. Considering that base stock is everything except the additives, Mobil 1 ATF is NOT a synthetic transmission fluid! Stick with Amsoil; it's worth the extra coins!