CI-4 OIl Question

[DaveHess]

Ok, let me start with a couple of comments. My Ram is my trusted right hand. I need this pickup to last until I basically cannot climb inside her anymore. One, because it has been the best vehicle I have EVER purchased, two, for sentimental reasons, and three, there is NO way I can even come close to affording a new CTD. So, it has been with great interest that I have read over the years about the CJ-4 specification and how it is not an ideal oil for my 2003 CTD. At the time I was able to source Valvoline Premium Blue Classic in 5 gallon buckets. I have run out of my last and am having difficulty finding more. So, I started to look elsewhere for CI-4 or CI-4 Plus oils to take the Valvoline's place. I have found Amsoil and I have found Lucas Oil. Both have a CI-4 oil still purchaseable. I know people will sing the praise of Amsoil all day long but what I am interested in, has anyone or does anyone run the Lucas Oil CI-4 in their pre-2007 CTD? I am not looking for an extended drain because quite honestly I put about 4,500 miles a year on my pickup. Going several years for me is unacceptable because that is what would happen for me. As it is now, I change the oil the first week of June before I start doing a lot of towing and then when it hits 3,750 (with the Valvoline Premium Blue Classic). My last oil change was Valvoline Premium Blue but the CJ-4 spec. This makes me nervous and a little dis-satisfied with my choice and am looking forward to dropping that oil. The replacement is what is causing me loss of sleep (remember the TDR articles written and his test results by John Martin???) My brother is a diesel mechanic and tells me to "drop the plow and go". He says I worry too much. He may be right but I know I can't be alone in TDR with a pre-2007 Ram that has these same concerns about what they are running in their pickup. I only ask that you please be constructive in your posts back to me. Thanks in advance. Dave

 

[swhalen]

Dave:
I am not sure this product is currently available, but up until about two years ago, I purchased from my local Caterpillar dealer CAT DEO which was CI4+ oil. I used it in my 94 CTD, but ultimately switched to CJ rated Rotella-T because the Cat product was pretty pricey.
Regards, steve whalen

 

[mwilson]

Mobil just switched me over to CK on my Delvac order last Friday. They have superceded the CJ to CK.

 

[NIsaacs]

This appears to be CI-4, no clue about the quality or the company.

https://buysinopec.com/collections/15w40/grade_sae-15w40

Look at the "Classic Oil "

Nick

 

[mwilson]

I think Mobil still offers CI-4, trouble is that the only packaging available is 55 gal drum or bulk deliveries...


http://mobil.cosan.com/sites/default/files/produtos/mobil_delvac_mx_15w-40.pdf

 

[Regcabguy]

Here's a CI source.
https://powerdrivendiesel.com/produ...ing_wp_cron=1488900587.4642219543457031250000

 

[DaveHess]

Thanks for the reply's folks but I am left wondering one thing..... Nobody out there in TDR Land uses Lucas 15W-40 Magnum engine oil in the CTD???????

 

[Tractorat]

I gave up with all the differing opinions here. So, I just use expensive red line synthetic. A little more expensive, but its not like I change the oil every week. And it satisfies everything the engine needs and more some.

 

[Killer223]

worry not. my early 04 has 245+K with walmart supertech and tractor supply travellers oil. with as often as you change it, you'll be fine. heck i go 7500-9000 miles. black stone says i'm good.
Another oil to look into is Swepco. 306. spendy, but CI- oil.

 

[MChessick]

I always used the Red Line Synthetic in my 2003 until I sold it. Never used any oil between changes at 10k intervals. I had 300k on the motor with no issues or failures. I also use it now in my 2015 3500. Good stuff to be sure.

Mark

 

[jgillott]

Mobil just switched me over to CK on my Delvac order last Friday. They have superceded the CJ to CK.

Mike, I stumbled across the following on another forum.

"Ford engineers are recommending that Ford diesel owners not use new CK-4 motor oils after company testing of some of those formulations revealed accelerated engine wear on some of the Ford 6.7-liter engine components in the engines they tested.

The CK-4 category was released by the American Petroleum Institute (API) for use in diesel engines last year.

Ford is advising dealers, installers and owners to use Motorcraft® diesel engine oils meeting the company’s new diesel specification, WSS-M2C171-F1. It contains the requirements of CK-4 plus additional engine protection properties required by Ford.

In addition, Motorcraft oils with CJ-4 and CJ-4/SN specifications can still be used, according to Ford engineers. Those oils will be phased out in late 2017."

http://www.corvetteforum.com/postrelease/?prx_t=M54CA1ioNA2HwFA

Have you heard anything about CK causing issues in any other engine other than the Ford?

 

[Killer223]

omg, if you have to have a CI spec oil, then check your tractor stores, or even just order it online, swepco, amsoil, cam II, and others.
again clean oil is the best thing for your engine.

 

[MLee]

So we are being forced to convert to an other oil that is not proven and will put our Diesels in the grave sooner. Thanks API

 

[mwilson]

I was not given the option of keeping the CJ by Daimler Truck or Mobil, they just changed it up.

You all realize that this is driven by EPA regs and fuel mileage standards, right???

 

[JR]

As I understand it if the new oil meets ONLY the CK4 standard then it is virtually identical to the previous CJ4 spec. The formulas that Ford is having issues with are both API CK4 AND SN approved which carries a phosphorus content nearly half of an HD motor oil to keep the 3 way catalysts in spark ignition engines clean.

It is interesting that Ford is the lone manufacturer that is speaking out on the new spec. I listened​ to an online seminar from a Cummins engineer a while back and the only advice he had to offer after testing both standards was to maintain the correct viscosity. Aside from that his general opinion was that the CK4 spec was a non issue compared to the CJ4.

 

[mfurrh55]

Have you tried schaeffers oil?

 

[JR]

Have you tried schaeffers oil?

The only oil that Schaeffers has that is CI rated is their Moly Bond X-200. My cousin has a large farm and buys Schaeffers in bulk. The rep/engineer recommended he stick with the 7000 15w40 stating that it is a superior oil even though he runs mostly older equipment (he has two tractors with a DPF vs over a dozen pre emission engines). The 7000 series 15w40 is CJ4 rated, synthetic based, and can be had for the same price as the the paraffin based (conventional) Moly Bond.
It is also what I run in my 98 at extended intervals. Been running it for many years with excellent UOA's.