is amsoil worth the price?

[KevinHansen]

I am running amsoil in my 2008 2500 and am wondering if anyone knows how it compares to others? Is it better and worth the price

 

[ddutil]

I dont know how it compares with other synthetic oils, but it shure is worth the $$$. I used it in my 96 and 03 2500 CTD, and use it in my 06 3500 CDT and 1999 Hurlïmann tractor with great results (noise, oil cleanliness and fuel economy).



HTH, - Dan



ps1 : when I say noise, I refer to NV5600 transmission oil in my 2003 CTD.

ps2 : bypass filtration is another great idea

 

[HBarlow]

Only you can decide. In my opinion it is not but I only speak for myself. I use conventional motor oil.

The owner's manual and all written and spoken information from Cummins always stress that use of synthetic oils does not change the oil change interval so how does it benefit you?

 

[jimnance]

Waste of money, IMHO. We use conventional oil, Delo, in our big rigs. We routinely run 800,000 miles + before we need to do an in-frame. It's not unusual to make a million miles. Why would I want to increase the service cost substantially when conventional oils perform so well?

 

[FourBarR]

I agree I have only used shell rotella 15-40 since new ,now have 485000kms. Does not use any oil between changes (6000k) oil filter at same interval ,fleetgard filters.

If you are in very cold climate amsoil would be an advantage.

 

[AHarris]

Only you can decide. In my opinion it is not but I only speak for myself. I use conventional motor oil.



The owner's manual and all written and spoken information from Cummins always stress that use of synthetic oils does not change the oil change interval so how does it benefit you?

I'm kind of with you on this. I'm just using the Cummins oil from Dodge and getting the oil changed at the dealer every 3K. It's cheap insurance on a $10,000 motor and I'd rather just stick with the Cummins stuff.

 

[Breed]

I use it in my 98 and use fleetguard filters from Geno's in the engine and also use the gear oil in the Differential, I love it, use it my cars also. It get very Cold here in Northern Nevada and warm in the summer, the product works great. It appears that I got better mileage with synthetic Oil also I am not making some Arab rich.

 

[grasmo]

I use amsoil 15w40 full synthetic marine diesel. I run it 10k and do random oil analysis and they reccomend going another interval before draining. Do any of you guys using conventional oils do an analysis ? what intervals are you changing at ? Also how many qts are you running in your OTR trucks and what size air filter are you running? I think the air filter size is too small on these pick-up trucks and the capacity of the oil pan is a little small too! but I have had great results with Amsoil. I have a lawn and landscape business and run it in everything I have. I have seen the test results and that is the bottom line. Do I think it is expensive ? well he__ yeah . I also would like to say that I feel all of the other oils are very good also. If it works for you use it ... if you want to know the ins and outs of oil read up on it theres a lot of stuff out there ..... Amsoil is not for every one. But the ones that use it seem to know a lot about how oil goes from the ground all thr way through the cracking process an dthen how additive packages are chosen and blended and why diesels need a really high base number and the products that list what their base number is on the package. I agree there are some very good oils out there but if you really care about your truck ... read up ... . and make an informed decision...

 

[GOTSOOT]

Grasmo: Amsoil`s 2-stroke oil is the SH--. !!aint it.

 

[Hoefler]

For the 6. 7, Amsoil does not condone nor recommend extended oil change. In Amsoil literature, it recommends maintaining the manufactures oil and filters change intervals. In contacting their tech line, they also say the same thing. INMHO, not worth it.

 

[DCreed]

I ran Ams. Synth. in my 99 and started to consume alot of oil. I had to add a quart every 1500mi. ! I thought something was wrong with the engine. I asked about it like this in open forums and was told that wasnt so unusual. I switched back to Rotella dino and hardly use a drop in between changes. I do think the Ams. (being a synth. ) was slicker as the truck ran slightly better/smoother but I hated to have to watch the dipstick drop. my $. 02

 

[grasmo]

Yeah it is the sh_ _ . I started using the dominator a couple of years back when they stopped making the series 2000 2 stroke ... I have torn down numerous 250cc dirt bikes and I know it will carbon up the power valves ... I tear em down after each race and put a top end kit in need it or not... . and most of the time it does not... . Goes in red comes out red. I will run extended drain intervals on my 6. 7 because I run the 12 tbn 15w40 ( not the dpf friendly version ) I do not have a stock emissions system. My new 08 has 2k miles on it right now so I am leaving the break in oil???? in it until I decide it is ready. Probably around 3k and then I will run one more round of the abrasive oil in it to git r done. I will gladly answer any questions about Amsoil ... ... if I don't know the answer I will tell you I don't. I have had more engines open than Gene Simmons has had panties open. BTW does anyone know what thes are filled with initially ... . is it the dpf friendly mopar synth?

 

[grasmo]

Oh yeah ... I run the dominator @ 64:1 ... I have found this to be the best ratio for my Stihl Chainsaws and other handheld Stihl Eqpt. ... . 2 ounces per gallon... . Other oils your looking at 4 ounces per gallon to get 32:1... The viscosity of you fuel will be lower ,which in turn will allow more fuel to flow through the jet and burn a little cooler. So you may have to re- tune.

 

[RideSlow2004]

the oil changed at the dealer every 3K. It's cheap insurance on a $10,000 motor .

Every 3000? I am changing at 5000, forgot to get sample for analysis, but will on next. Manual says 7500, but that seems long.



Geno's has a couple of different drain plugs, I was looking at the one that has the nipple for the hose to clamp on to.



What are you folks using?

 

[LRutigliano]

Its definately worth the price if you are using it for your front and rear axles.



I use it in my I/O outdrive and noticed that the trans shifted into gear way smoother (less chatter) than with the OMC dino gear oil. Also, since I only run the boat engine approx 20 hrs per season, I can extend the drain/refill over a few seasons...



I know its a little off topic, but their gear oils are great.

 

[jimnance]

Its definately worth the price if you are using it for your front and rear axles.



I use it in my I/O outdrive and noticed that the trans shifted into gear way smoother (less chatter) than with the OMC dino gear oil. Also, since I only run the boat engine approx 20 hrs per season, I can extend the drain/refill over a few seasons...



I know its a little off topic, but their gear oils are great.

I completely agree. When full synthetic gear oils became readily available we switched to them for our axles and transmissions. The molecules in full synthetics suffer less breakdown from heat and shear so we could greatly extend our service interval.



The problem with synthetics in a combustion environment is that the oil quickly becomes contaminated with by-products. Even if the TBN shows OK in the oil analysis that does not tell the whole story. In OTR trucks that are in constant service you can get by with less frequent oil changes. Often these engines are operated at fairly steady state which results in less contamination per mile. Also, any acids present don't really happy an opportunity to wreck havoc with the engine.

 

[grasmo]

Can you guys point me towards some of your favorite sites to read up on OTR truck engines ???? Please , I love this stuff.

 

[jimnance]

Google truck fleet maintanance. We get lots of magazine stuff so I really don't surf the internet for it.

 

[AHarris]

Every 3000? I am changing at 5000, forgot to get sample for analysis, but will on next. Manual says 7500, but that seems long.

Geno's has a couple of different drain plugs, I was looking at the one that has the nipple for the hose to clamp on to.

What are you folks using?

I just use the Mopar spec Cummins oil from the Dodge dealer up the road and let them do the oil changes. Once I get back home I'll have my garage with my tools and will do it myself.

I thought about Amsoil but with the extended drain intervals not recommended for the 6. 7, just seems like I'm not getting any benefit for spending the extra money. With soot being an issue in this motor, I figure I'm ultra safe just doing it every 3,000.

Thinking about getting one of those bypass oil filter systems I see advertised in Diesel Power. If that would allow me to extend the drain interval, I might consider going to Amsoil or Royal Purple (which I use in the wife's Jeep GC).

 

[Grizzly]

I am running amsoil in my 2008 2500 and am wondering if anyone knows how it compares to others? Is it better and worth the price

I don't believe it is, unless you live in a super cold climate, such as Alaska.