Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Motor Oil?

[Mentzer]

I have a 2002 Ram 2500 Cummins 4x4 auto transmission with 173000 miles. I have changed the oil every 6000 miles with Shell Rotella and Lucas Oil Stabalizer. Is Shell Rotella any good? What is the best oil for Cummins... I am not interested in amsoil... are Lucas Oil products any good? Anyone use Lucas Magnum 15w40 High TBN CI-4 or CJ-4?

 

[macdaddy]

You cant beat Rotella Synthetic 5w-40,even with the lower TBN since it switched CJ. I believe you can pick up three gallons for under sixty bones. I have been running royal purple for 4 years. Not to sure about the Lucas products. If Lucas makes a Syn and its priced reasonable give them a try. But I would stay with some sort of synthetic due to its stability, especially where you live. Synthetics flow much better in cold weather.

Mac

 

[Tractorat]

Ive been using delo since my truck was new. It now has about 85k miles on it. I used to hear that if you start using synthetic oil on an older vehicle, it will start to leak. Is that true ? Or is it OK to switch. . I dont use any oil at all right now between oil changes (every 3k miles)

 

[BHaden]

I use the Lucas 15w-40 High TBN (14). I get it from Summit where you can buy a case of 4 gallons for about $55. 00 plus shipping. No comments about it other than I use it for the "old school" formulation and it seems to work well as oil pressure stays normal for the duration of the oil change (8-10k).

 

[macdaddy]

I use the Lucas 15w-40 High TBN (14). I get it from Summit where you can buy a case of 4 gallons for about $55. 00 plus shipping. No comments about it other than I use it for the "old school" formulation and it seems to work well as oil pressure stays normal for the duration of the oil change (8-10k).

Is it safe to say that that the Lucas is CI rating?



Mac

 

[BHaden]

I just went out and looked. It IS CI-4 and it even says right on the label in BIG letters

"for pre-2007 diesel engines".

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I used to hear that if you start using synthetic oil on an older vehicle, it will start to leak. Is that true ? Or is it OK to switch. . I dont use any oil at all right now between oil changes (every 3k miles)

If your Cummins has been well maintained it should do fine switching to full synthetic. I switched my '98 to Amsoil at 140,000 miles after it had been run only on dino previously, experience no leaks at all.

 

[GAmes]

After reading this article https://www.turbodieselregister.com/magazines/Issue_057.phtml

I quit worrying about brand name. I buy whatever costs the least, and if a really good buy I'll buy in bulk. Go to page 56.

 

[madmanmanick]

I have used a lot of different types of oil at different costs. When I bought the truck the first time I changed the oil I used the valvoline premium blue. The next time I used Royal Purple. The first time was expensive. Changed the oil again at 7500 miles(this time was less expensive cause I ordered through a truck company that orders in bulk) At the first 7500 miles after this time I changed out the filter and of course added the one quart of oil. At the next 7500 miles changed out the oil and filter. This time I went back to valvoline premium blue cause the cost effectiveness of going to royal purple wasn't there. I changed it out regularly at the 7500 mark the next couple times using valvoline premium blue. This latest time I used the AMSOIL 15W40 synthetic, full flow and bypass filter. I know in the first post you said you don't want to use AMSOIL, but it is some real good properties, if you get a authorized dealer to get it for you you can get it for a pretty cheap price(comparatively regarding synthetics). Hope this helps.

 

[Tomscreek]

Mobil Delvac1 full synthetic diesel oil. Best there is. I change once a year (7000 miles) whether I need to or not.

 

[DWoodward]

My 99 has only had Rotella T in it since new. Changed every 5000 mi. Has over 350,000 miles and still doing great. Has a 53 block also with no problems. I purchased the truck from the original owner at 325,000 miles and have had little to no problems since. Just runs great all the time.



Doug

 

[Mombo]

Mobil Delvac 1

Mobil Delvac1 full synthetic diesel oil. Best there is. I change once a year (7000 miles) whether I need to or not.

Agree 100% Do you use the Delvac Trans 50 for the NV5600 as well ?

 

[MPalachuk]

Looking at the oil comarisons I wounder how much they hae changed from the time the article was writen?

I checked on the napa oil and it is showing CI4, CJ4, CI4+ and others.

 

[aharman]

Rotella T6 synthetic is a good deal for a synthetic diesel oil. I can get it at the local Meijer store for $19/gallon. That's cheaper than the Mobil 1 TurboDiesel Truck that I'm currently using. I just switched to TDT last November after many years of using Premium Blue Classic. I don't like it so far, as the consumption has increased to ~1qt every 1500 miles.



Since you're in Montana, a synthetic would be good for lubrication during subzero starts.



A good step up from the Rotella T6 would be Schaeffer's Supreme 9000. It's harder to find than than Rotella, but has better specs for film strength and flashpoint. I have read about CTD owners going 18,000+ miles between changes on this oil.



The ultimate diesel oil in my opinion is Redline 5w40. Highest TBN, highest anti-wear additives, highest flash point, and (not surprisingly) highest price. At $10/quart you would have to go to 15k-mile oil changes to make it cost-effective.

 

[FourBarR]

shell rotella 15/40 since new. now has 552,000kms no oil use between changes at 6000k.
original vp-44 and injectors. still doing 23 + mpg. also original re47 trans. and rear end.

 

[AABEN]

I run Valvoline Premium Blue Classic witch they do not make any more when the 07 came out they changed the oil so the trucks could pass the FEDERAL laws 15-40 it has a high TBM level. I was lucky to get 3 5GAL buckets and some Jugs before it was all gone.

 

[CCamillo]

I know also that you said no Amsoil, its what i have used for about 100,00 now. I was changing it every 7,000. Yes it was a little exspensive. Now I still use it but use there 25,000 mile oil filter and do oil sampling. I sampled once at 18,000 as 25 was a little uncomfortable and it was good to go. A little high for silicone but I think it was the K&N airfilter. I went back to the BHAF and we will see on the next try only 8,000 into it as it is only my second run at it. Just some food for thought.

Chris

 

[aharman]

I run Valvoline Premium Blue Classic witch they do not make any more when the 07 came out they changed the oil so the trucks could pass the FEDERAL laws 15-40 it has a high TBM level. I was lucky to get 3 5GAL buckets and some Jugs before it was all gone.

I know where you're coming from on that. I bought 3 5-gal. buckets of Premium Blue Classic in 2007, and finally ran out of it last year. I couldn't find a CI4+ oil that had the same level of zddp and TBN as the PB Classic, and I wanted to get improved cold temperature starting, so I went with TDT, which has the CI4+ qualification in the API service symbol.



Recently, I have found an oil on Mobil's web site that has similar specs to PB Classic that you could consider: Delvac MX 15w40.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Throw me under the bus if you want...

Amsoil 15W40 or

Amsoil Series 2000 5W30



I got much lower wear metals w/ the former. I don't tow.



25,000 miles each drain. Change filters 2 twice a year. Oil analysis always comes back "suitable for continued use"



TBN for both is 12. 2