Engine oil

[RichBennett]

Just wondering what kinda oil you all are runnin' in your rigs (weight/brand) ? And also how does oil for diesels differ froma gas engine ? If at all... . oh and how about filters what type and how many of you run a by-pass filter ?

 

[jgillott]

RichBennett,



My best suggestion for you is do a forum search on your topic. I'm sure that you will be surprised at the amount of information you will discover.



Beyond that... ... . welcome!



Justin

 

[Cooker]

Diesel engine oil is different. I would use only a CI-4 rated oil. This is the newest API spec for diesel engine oils and most all the major oil manufactures offer and oil that meets this spec.



15w40 is a good choice unless you live in a very cold climate.



Fleetguard filters are hard to beat and only cost marginally more than some of the other brands.



I agree a search will yield a ton of info.

 

[RustyJC]

If you want to run a dino oil, Chevron Delo 400 15w-40 (my choice) and Shell Rotella 15w-40 are probably the most used mineral oils. Synthetics - I ain't gonna go there!



Fleetguard filters are my preferred choice as well.



Rusty

 

[FPoitra]

Recently changed my oil and used Rotella T 15w40 oil. It will be the 1st and last time I will ever use it. It stinks to high heaven, especially at idle. Stinks like what you might ask, well I concluded that I smells like a bottle of amoxicilin pills, 3 times worse. I heard alot of good things about Chevron Delo 15W40, especially in cold weather. I already bought my 3 gallons for the next change!

 

[RustyJC]

Yep, that's why it's nicknamed "Rosmella"!



Rusty

 

[J Shocik]

If you're looking for personal preferences, I run Amsoil 5-30 with a Fleetguard micro- filter(filter from Geno's Garage). This helps with cold weather starts.

 

[DMC]

I read a recent post in the 12v forum where a guy had 650,000 mi. on his truck with Rotella. Another guy replied that he went 150,000 on Rotella and another 150,000 on Delo. I used to Run Rotella in the over the road trucks I used to drive. And Switched to Delvac 1300 it seemed to go further than the Rotella without make up oil. I used the Delo in my truck and I believe it is very good oil. I base my info on oil analysis every 5000 miles, when I change the oil.

Some take their Delo to 8000 miles. Unless you are willing to invest in a bypass filtration system I don't think Synthetic is worth the cost. I highly suggest you get the Fleetguard LF 3894, you can get all of the filters for your truck at Cummins. Take your latest address label off the TDR magazine and ask for the TDR discount you may get 10% off.



Good Luck



Don

 

[Cooker]

Originally posted by DMC

Unless you are willing to invest in a bypass filtration system I don't think Synthetic is worth the cost.

When it comes to engine protection, for the most part I agree with this statement. The CI-4 dino oils are really a great oil. However if you live in a cold climate and not able to plug the truck in at all times, the synthetics are superior to dino when it comes to their cold flow characteristics. This is the only reason I run a synthetic. Otherwise I would run Delo 400 15w40 and call it good.

 

[RichBennett]

Synthetics are so highly praised for gas engines and it seems many people on here shy away from them for their diesels !? Just curious as to why that is ? Is there some harm that they can do to a diesel engine ?

 

[J Shocik]

Rich, There is no debate that synthetic oil is far superior over conventional oil. The price is also rather high. Once again, my personal preference is to go 10,000 miles between changes. The oil and filter cost about $110. 00. If you go 5,000 miles between changes with conventional oil, oil and filter costs about $50. 00. The way I see it, I will get the added protection of synthetic oil for about $10. 00.



As for the filter, check back issues of the TDR about inferior filters which could send filter material throughout the engine and possibly plug an oil passage, severly damaging the enging( out of warranty repair). That's why I go with the Fleetguard filter(Cummins approved), and not the Fram or Wix. You can pay now, or pay later.

 

[DMC]

No I don't see any harm in using synthetics in diesel engines of any manufacturer. However I personally dont see the cost benefit ratio of the cost of the oil. Say for example I use 12 Quarts of Delo 400 15/40 motor oil in my Cummins, at a cost of $19. 00. I change my oil every 5000 miles. Now compare Mobil Delvac (only because i have an idea what its cost is) at a cost of $54. 00, for the same oil change. I would have to go 14,210 miles on the oil to come out money wise.



People are going over 400,000 miles on these engines with Delo, Rotella, and Delvac non synthetic oil. I one case there was a truck that has 1,000,000 miles on it, with according to the article BP oil.



So there you have the reason why many folks don't use synthetic oil. If you can afford it I believe that it is the best choice of lubricants to put in your motor. If you can't afford or are'nt able to justify the cost, then there are some very good cost effective and proven alternative oils on the market.



One last tidbit of info I work for a large tugboat company, we use Mobil Delvac 1300 15/40 in our 3304 cat generators so far one motor has 8900 hrs on it. It runs a continuous 1800 rpms sometimes for two or three days, only shut it down to check or add oil. The oil analysis comes back very good each time. We change the oil in these motors every 500 hrs. Now compare 8900 hrs to miles, I'll use a conservative number, say 50mph X 8900 = 445,000 miles. We have had no problems with these motors at this point.

We use Mobil NC450 strait 40 wt oil in the Main Engines and on the generators on the other boats that are using Detroit 671 series motors and we have some of those engines that go to 20-30,000 hours. And we have had main engines go to 65000 hrs. My company can afford synthetic oil if they felt it was cost effective. We do oil analysis every month on all of our motors and reduction gears and with the exception of the generators that is what we use to determin when to change the oil. We very seldom change main engine oil until about 30,000 plus hours. We do however change the oil filters every 1500 hrs.



So there you have some basis for conventional wisdom.



Good Luck



Don

 

[DMC]

J SHocik:



How do you come up with $110 dollars for synthetic oil change? Are you paying someone to do yours.

3 gallons of Mobil Delvac 5-40 = $57. 00 + LF3894 filter = $8. 68 for a total of $65. 68 + Tax. When I change my oil with Delo 400 15-40, 3 gallons cost me $18. 69 + LF3894 = $27. 37+Tax.



Just curious as to why your cost is so much more than mine.



Thanks



Don

 

[J Shocik]

To DMC



Don, I use Amsoil 5-30 at $31. 00 a gallon and say 8. 50 for a Fleetguard micro filter comes out a little over $100. 00. I used $110. 00 as a high estimate. I do the oil changes myself. I figure 2 oil changes with conventional oil at 5,000 miles would cost about the same, maybe a little less. I figure I get better protection with the synthetic oil, plus better cold weather starting-m it gets cold here in Mass.