Hunting CI-4

[DodgeWarlock]

Went looking for CI-4 oil, yesterday. Had almost no luck at any of the auto parts stores. I had been running Delo 400 and switched to LE when everyone ran out. That is until read the oil analysis in TDR. So far the only CI-4's I found were Coastal(Autozone store brand) & Super Tech(WalMart). Found several of the high dollar synthetics, but I don't have the green. I was shocked to find Valvoline Prem Blue at Autozone, but when I looked closer it says it meets CJ-4,CI-4plus,&CI-4 spec. I was under the impression that that was different from what was tested by TDR, so I went to Valvoline website last night. Apparently I need Valvoline Prem Blue Classic CI-4. The only problem is no one I can find carries it and it's only available in 5gal buckets or 50 gal drums. I would really prefer to run Valvoline or Delo 400, so the search goes on. I gotta find something this week. Oil change due now.

 

[rbattelle]

Apparently I need Valvoline Prem Blue Classic CI-4. The only problem is no one I can find carries it and it's only available in 5gal buckets or 50 gal drums.

My local oil distributor can get it for me, and they say it is also available in 1-gallon jugs (for a lot more money)!



You won't find it by looking at traditional auto parts stores. You've got to find the Valvoline distributor for your area, then call them.



I found my local distributor by calling Valvoline (1-800-TEAM-VAL). The distributors supply the local retail stores, so they have access to the entire Valvoline line. Many (most?) of the distributors will also sell to the public.



Don't sweat the 5-gallon pails. You can pick up a pail hand pump quite cheap and cleanly and easily transfer the oil from the pail to a container of your choice.



Ryan

 

[tgordon]

Don't sweat the 5-gal pails, I just bought a 2 qt picture, one of those with the cheap plastic lids, dump it into that from the pail and into the truck. Was useing 5 gal pails before to save some money, sounds like it might become my only option now, I don't go throught anywhere near enough to be buying 55gal, or at least yet:-laf:-laf

 

[MikeH]

Bought 3 gallons of Premium Blue CI4+ at Advance Auto Parts yesterday. Cost was $10. 98 per gallon. A little high. Could be why they had lots of it on the shelf.



MikeH

 

[DodgeWarlock]

Called Valvoline to find a distributer and they could not even give me one in my area code. The local Chevron distributer said the only way they can still get Delo400 is in bulk(now called DeloRPM). She said they are having all sorts of problems with CJ-4LE in the older trucks (particularly gumming up) and are not happy with it even in their own fleet. Called both my local heavy truck suppliers with no luck. Finally found Carquest Fleet 15w40 in CI-4 for $9. 39 a gallon. It's produced by Ashland and appears to be the old Prem Blue. Unfortuantely, they're switching to the same multi-spec as the new Prem Blue. I found a couple gallons of the new stuff mixed in when I went to pick it up. I'm gonna check at Napa on part #591839 that was listed on another thread for a future source. Thanks for the input, it proves why I joined TDR.

 

[rbattelle]

Called Valvoline to find a distributer and they could not even give me one in my area code.

This may sound weird, but try calling Pennzoil and asking for their local distributor. Most local distributors carry a HUGE selection of oil brands (enough to stock every store in the area). It's possible they're not listed as a Valvoline "official" distributor, but carry Valvoline products anyway.



Ryan

 

[24V-DSL]

Check with farm implement dealers. I scored the last 20 cases of Delo 400. Quarts, but WTH.

 

[AABEN]

The NAPA stores in IN. can order it fore you if they want to the lady here orded 10gal sold it to me then orded 10gal more for stock all ready sold one of then the next day. Princeton IN. 812-385-2500

 

[Boczech1]

I found two places here in the Sacramento area if anybody is interested in the Delo 400 CI 4+ in the 5 gal buckets ($11. 00 gal). Ramos oil company 916-371-2570 and Hunt & Sons Inc. 800-734-2999.

Hope this helps.

 

[DodgeWarlock]

Checked with my Napa today and they claimed that Napa universal fleet 15w40 is relabelled Valvoline. Also said that its switching to CJ-4 multi-spec just like the Prem Blue(said they already sold some of the new stuff):{. They're checking to see about getting the classic in the buckets for me. Maybe they'll revisit the test in a future issue and look at this new multi-spec Premium Blue (since it does claim to meet both specs somehow).

 

[duckcarvr]

back in the mid 60s me and two buds bought 55 gallon drum of castrol gtx. it took us a while to go through it but it was cheaper. do you have a club or friends who might want the same thing or some one who makes his living with his truck? you should be able to find a small shop to order it whole sale and charge you a set fee rather than by the gallon price. 55 gal X 4 = 220 / 10 is only 22 oil changes or... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... . 110,000 miles robert

 

[Crash&Burn]

My local farm store must have at least 50 5gal buckets of Rotella CI 4+

 

[Greenleaf]

Sounds like time to switch over to Schaeffer Semi synthetic oil. Do a search and educate yourself on the aspects of semi syn oil (blend oil) made by Schaeffer Manufacturing St. Louis MO or speak with your local dist and get the facts from hi/her on the 7000 oil 15-40 synthetic blend.



You'll be happy you did.



They still have the CI-4 in gallons. The drums are now CJ-4

 

[jleons]

Hi DODGEWARLOCK

Your on the right track. LE know makes the best CI-4 oil on the market. 8880 is designed as a Ci-4 product. I have had great success over 15 years using 8800 in my diesel fleet.

Good Luck,

JL

 

[DodgeWarlock]

Finally got issue 58 Saturday, and sure enough there was the test on the new Prem Blue CJ-4. Glad I grabbed the old Carquest CI-4 I found still on shelf. No word back from Napa yet on the Prem Blue Classic. They had no luck with the part number I found posted, and were trying to see if they could get it elsewhere. I finally found a Cummins dealer about 45 miles away. I'll try them, but if I don't find a source by the next oil change my only local source for CI-4 will be WalMart Supertech. How and where do you get oil analysis done?

 

[Greenleaf]

The sample bottle (kit) is available from any truck dealership or NAPA/Big A Auto/Car Quest etc. Expect to shell out 8 to 18 dollar.



If you buy Schaeffer's oil (like a case/pail/drum etc. you get free sample(s)

 

[notron46]

Rotella Syn

I'am new to all this, but I have found the Rotella Syn in Wallmart and I think it meets all your requirments. It's around $16 a gal. , and I change it every 7500 mi. Am I on the right track or making a mistake

 

[steved]

I'am new to all this, but I have found the Rotella Syn in Wallmart and I think it meets all your requirments. It's around $16 a gal. , and I change it every 7500 mi. Am I on the right track or making a mistake

Not for long... just read an article synthetic Rotella is soon going to be CJ-4 as well...



Tractor Supply has their own brand that is CI-4, as well as NOS Rotella CI-4+, synthetic Rotella CI-4+, and Mystik 15w40 CI-4+. I was just looking at my local store last night... and bought a 5-gallon pail of Rotella CJ-4.



All I'm going to add is, don't believe the hype about CJ-4, unless you intend to run it longer than 10k miles. Several of us have UOAs on Rotella CJ-4 and it works just fine. The TBN holds up well, wear metals stay low. My suggestion would be to run CJ-4 and complete a UOA at some interval of use (like 3k, 5k, and 10k) to determine how it works in your truck, then stick with that interval which provided the best bang for the buck (miles of use versus wear metals).



steved

 

[DodgeWarlock]

The sample bottle (kit) is available from any truck dealership or NAPA/Big A Auto/Car Quest etc. Expect to shell out 8 to 18 dollar.



If you buy Schaeffer's oil (like a case/pail/drum etc. you get free sample(s)

Thank you. I used to work at a Carquest and we did not stock them, but I'm not surprised. My local store is more interested in competeing with the Zone, than being a real part house. I'll start with the next oil change. So far I change every 5,000 to 5,500.

 

[Greenleaf]

Car-Quest is Part 89077



NAPA is 4077



CAT has one and Fleetguard amongst many others.



A fuel supplier will generally have the widest selection of brands and types along with various sized containers. They will also have the best price, especcially if you have an account or a close friend that works there.



My supplier sells just about any oil. They have tons of Rottella T CI-4 plus in 55 gallon drums. However I stopped that and am switching the entire fleet of buses over to Schaeffer CJ-4, for a number of reasons.



As mentioned, the TBN of your new/used oil is important.



-S