Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) CJ 4 Oil ?

[RobNJ]

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving ! Got a question concerning the new CJ 4 oil formulation. I just changed my oil and used Rotella CJ 4 with the new Triple Protection and now I'm doubting if it was the right choice. Truck is a 94' 12 valve. All the stuff I read on this new oil says it's far superior to CI4. I always used Mobil Delvac CI 4. Diesel Power Mag. says by all means to use it in older diesels to reap the benifits. Shell's website says it is a far superior oil than CI 4 and would benefit older diesels. Internationals website says the same thing. Whether 500ppm LSD is used or 15ppm ULSD is used DPF or no DPF CJ4 is the better oil. Issue 54 of this great magazine TDR has an article in the Member to Member section with John Martin formerly of Lubrizol and has him stating that he does NOT recommend using CJ 4 oil in diesels without a DPF which would be pre 2007 trucks and the majority of the trucks on this site. Quote " If you don't have an engine equipped with a DPF, by all means utilize an API CI 4 oil! Your engine will thank you for it!" Is this a typo? I would tend to think moving up an API Classification every aspect of the oil would be better. I know Shell wants to sell oil but with Rotellas track record if they say CJ4 is a better oil and older diesels would benefit I gotta tend to believe them. What do all of you think?

 

[24V-DSL]

Can't believe lack of response to this.....



Oil threads usually generate helpful discussion..... (note I said, "usually". I've been around here awhile)

 

[JH8128]

CJ-4 was developed for the new EGR engines. From what i understand it does not have the same amount of detergents this is to meet the emissions standards of 2007. If you have an older pre 2007 truck I would not use CJ-4 oil. THis is only my opinion. Just because it is new does not mean it is better. Check the link out below for the AMSOIL CJ-4 oil specs. Good luck.

https://www.amsoil.com/StoreFront/deo.aspx

 

[CurtisM]

I just changed the oil in my 95' and used the new triple proctection Rotella. My truck has 197,000 on the clock and I'm a firm believer of motors getting into patterns and not changing what types of fluids that I put in them. I was using the CI 4 Rotella with 20% lucas additive. After changing to the new I swear my truck has lost power and does not seem to run the same it almost feels like the e-brake is on half way. Could be my imagination but I will be draining tomorrow and going back to what it has had since it's first oil change back in 1995.

 

[MLee]

I am thinking that if you have an outlet that has CI4 get a couple cases. I think that in time you will not be able to find the CI4. most places will only stock the new stuff because of inventory restrants. Wal-mart has been a good source for oils but the delo 400 is becoming harder to find. Could be they just want to stock the Rotilla. Lest thats the way it seams at my Wallyworld. Think I'll call a couple distrbuters and see what they are going to do to cover the situation.

Marv.

 

[Greenleaf]

My oil supplyer will have the CI-4 in 55 gallons only... . for a time. Then it will be CJ only. I hope to convert all the fleet over to the CJ just to make it simple on me and in time it will be CJ all across the board unless I convert to the Schaeffers semi syn. I like that stuff (per test results) but a fleet of 5. 9 engines uses a lot of oil with leaks and brake-downs etc. etc.



Gone will be Shell CI-4 @ Walmart. However Delo CI-4 is reported (advertised) to be available in the gallon containers for some time.

 

[MLee]

I am thinking that if you have an outlet that has CI4 get a couple cases. I think that in time you will not be able to find the CI4. most places will only stock the new stuff because of inventory restrants. Wal-mart has been a good source for oils but the delo 400 is becoming harder to find. Could be they just want to stock the Rotilla. Lest thats the way it seams at my Wallyworld. Think I'll call a couple distrbuters and see what they are going to do to cover the situation.

Marv.

I checked with one distributer yesterday and he said they were getting the new CJ4 in now but was not awear of any changes in the forulation of the oil. So I informed him of the TDR article, and refered him to this and a few other sites that are having this same disscusstion to kind of catch the feeling of the truck owners, with the older trucks.

He felt that they would just stock the one oil, so time will tell. Be a good boy scout---------BE PREPARED---------

Marv.

 

[Greenleaf]

Not to discredit the TDR article, ok then, maybe some... ... ...



I recently read an article in Fleet Owner November 2006 ( fleetowner.com ) which is 180° opposite the TDR article.



The article quoted Chevron/Exxon Mobil/citgo and a Shell rep.



Pre 07 engine can use either OR a mix.



07 engine must not use ANY CI-4. It will damage the DPF and very possible void engine warrenty when the filter(s) plug.



CJ oil will cut engine wear by 30%



TBN is a few points lower. However, this matters none due to 30% less engine wear AND the simple fact the the engine will be operating on ULSD fuel which will limit the ingestion of all the bad stuff. Also, the TBN will be sustained for a long period of time unlike the former oil(s)





In short, if you believe all this, then yes, it discredits the TDR article in probably every way. Maybe the guy who wrote the TDR article forgot that ULSD fuel would be used on all on road vehicles..... 07 or not... ..... ?



And, to stock TWO oils will cost a fleet big bucks to buy a second storage system for the new oil, especially if that company has multi locations That and try to keep the employee's and engines designated as to what oil in what... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I wish I had saved the earlier reports and analysis I have read of the "Latest and greatest" oils on the scene. For the owners of newer trucks, no choice if you want to keep latest hardware and warranty functioning - but when a close inspection was made and presented as to additive package changes in the new oil, and their predicted effect on engine wear, the picture was NOT encouraging!



Naturally, the oil suppliers and engine makers will sing a happy PR song as to the "many benefits" of the new stuff - after all, what choice do they have - the stuff isn't just a simple choice, it's a MANDATE enforced by EPA and similar, and is all that CAN be used in new engines with the also mandated gadgets they come equipped with.



SO, I'll just stick my neck out, and lay in a supply of the same DELO 400 I've BEEN using, and wait and see what develops in the way of real life proven oil usage as displayed with oil analysis and wear rates with all the new stuff...



YMMV!

 

[WStrmiska]

CJ4 oil

You guys that want to know what Chevron says about the CJ4 oil go to

chevrondelo/cj4 Click on the PDF file.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Not to discredit the TDR article, ok then, maybe some... ... ...



I recently read an article in Fleet Owner November 2006 ( fleetowner.com ) which is 180° opposite the TDR article.



The article quoted Chevron/Exxon Mobil/citgo and a Shell rep.



Pre 07 engine can use either OR a mix.



07 engine must not use ANY CI-4. It will damage the DPF and very possible void engine warrenty when the filter(s) plug.



CJ oil will cut engine wear by 30%



TBN is a few points lower. However, this matters none due to 30% less engine wear AND the simple fact the the engine will be operating on ULSD fuel which will limit the ingestion of all the bad stuff. Also, the TBN will be sustained for a long period of time unlike the former oil(s)

Yeah, maybe 30% less wear to an EGR engine meant to be used with CJ-4, because otherwise soot management would be lacking, but how about on a non-EGR engine?



I'm with Gary in that the oil makers have every reason to tout it as the latest and greatest, whereas the TDR writer doesn't have any motivation other than to look out for us diesel drivers. After reading the article I tend to think he had done his homework.



Is this similar to what you read? It would be nice to take it at face value but it doesn't go into any technical discussion or details http://fleetowner.com/news/chevron_cj_4_oil_082506/index.html



Hopefully what they say is true, most everyone would welcome a newer better oil, but at this point I'm skeptical.



Vaughn

 

[Greenleaf]

No. It's not the same article.



Time to choose: One oil or two (Cover story) November 06



I understand the oil company will push the new oil. The TDR article didn't mention anything about the cost of stocking two oil systems, the complexity of two oils among a fleet of trucks and possible invalidation of a warranty. I think it was geared more towards a single truck ownwer of a pre 07 engine.