New Cummins engine oil

[DPKetchum]

I use Amsoil products all way front to rear on two veichiles and will as needed in my 03 Dodge. I have a 1985 Caprice classic with a 305 4bbl,700r4 trans,2. 89 rear. Bought used years ago with 86k. With standard dino oil used a qt every 1300 miles. With Casxxsyntech used a qt every 1800 miles. With Amsoil 10w30 uses a qt ever 3200 miles or so. Had a serta replacement trans already in when I purchased car. now has 196 k with amsoil trans fliud,rear axel lube,wheel bearing lube and oil. It gets almost like clock work 21/22 mpg running 70/75 mph 100 miles a day five days a week. I change oil every 22/25k with filters every 7500. Trans flush every 60k with two filters only since auto bought. rear axel fliud every 60k.

 

[Parshal]

Oil Analysis

Wow, this is a long thread!



For those interested, I did an oil analysis at 7700 miles with 30k on the truck. I posted the results in this thread:



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=79971



I called and spoke with someone who helped me decipher this and he said he would have no problem running the oil this long based on those results.

 

[LightmanE300]

Btoscano - interesting theory about less oil consumption. My point was the difference between d1 and amsoil isn't enough to cause much difference in oil consumption, but give it a try. The basestocks and additive package in D1 are superior to the amsoil 15w40. They are more in line with the higher quality series 3000 amsoil. I sure wish they made series 3000 in a heavier weight, cuz thats what I'd be using. 5w30 is just too thin for my tastes though. Don't get me wrong, the amsoil 15w40 hdd/marine is a great oil, with group IV basestocks. If I weren't moving back up north, thats the oil I'd be using in my vehicles. It's more than a few bucks cheaper than d1 after shipping etc in my neck of the woods. I just like for the winter time that D1 is a 5w40 compared to 15w40.



Bouncy - as described by many just use a dino(non synthetic petroleum based) oil till 15-20k before you switch to synthetic. I'm not sure it really makes any difference, but a lot on this board feel warm and fuzzy if they follow cummins recommendation to do so. They claim it needs time to let the piston rings seat but I think thats probably nonsense. Several vehicles, including all bmw, mercedes, audi, vw, corvettes, vipers, etc are shipped from the factory with synthetic and mandate nothing but. I'm sure their rings seat Most here prefer a Fleetguard Stratapore filter, which I again I believe most get at Geno's garage. Once you reach 15k or so, if you do choose to go to a synthetic, its pretty much *agreed* that mobil delvac 1 5w40 and amsoil 15w40 hdd/marine are probably among the top choices in synthetics. Can't go wrong either way. Don't use a half a$$ synthetic like syntec etc. Just make sure no matter what oil you use, it says API rating CI-4 on it, which is the latest rating for diesel-specific oils.



Parshal - as I commented in your post a while back, the oil analysis you did with rotella looks good. Just goes to show how easy these cummins motors are on oil, and how silly people are for dumping oil out at 5k. The manual doesn't recommend 7500/15000 mile intervals on 3rd gen trucks for nothing. As seen in his oil analysis, 7500 miles is CONSERVATIVE. One could easily go 15,000 on Delvac 1 or Amsoil (extended drain formulations) with no problems at all.

 

[Bouncy]

Thanks Lightmane300 for the info. It seems a little clearer now.



Not sure where Genos is but I will find it.



Thanks again.

 

[PBeaudoin]

Really enjoying this thread!!

Quick comment on my experiences with both oils Dino-Synthetics

89 VW Jetta 1. 8 190K (in 4 yrs) when I sold it, Changed the oil every 1500 miles till 6K, went to Mobil 1 15w-50, at -40* with the wind chill and 70-80 MPH never had lifter rattle, ever. At 100k I was changing the oil every 10K, never used a drop of oil between changes. Still seen the car up till 1-2 yrs ago running around. My 03 CTD, I changed that oil (Dino) and filter every 5K, never used oil between changes, I changed it over to Synthetic at 18K and noticed a increase in power and mileage. I used Amsoil 3000 5w-30. I been using Mobil 1 15w50 in everything from mowers to boats for years, I believe its great oil?.

As to the TDi's. . ( I own one) I talked to a actual factory rep from Germany here at our new dealership, I was told that they do not want anyone to change their oil till 5K because the European synthetic oil is superior in quality to our oils here(???) There is synthetic european oil specs too, I did not know this. It also guaranties that during the initial breakin, the oil will not breakdown too fast. I was also told that there really is not that much, if any breakin needed on the TDi's. They are built to such incredibly close specs now. This is also why they want their oil in till 5K. That's what I was told... Take it as you may. .

Most all european vehicles now come from the factory with synthetics. Correct me if I am wrong on this one. . but doesn't rings (materials in them) have something to do with breakin time?? Carbon rings etc. .

Through research on the web and talking to a friend of mine in NYC at Mobil, their synthetic oil from 0w-30 to 15w-50 all have the same pour points within a few degrees of each other, that they all qualify through API for 0w-30,40,50 They only put the first digit to help people make their selection easier. (0-10-20w)

If you check the pour points on your synthetic oils 15w40, 5w-30 in any brand you may see they are relatively the same?? Making them equal at cold temps.



Some one wrote in their signature "BFG's (not those french ones)"

BFG is owned now by Michelin "the french ones" sorry... lol

Sorry for the long note, having a good time...

 

[PBeaudoin]

Check this out. .

www.vtr.org/maintain/oil-overview.html



Interesting info for some.



Amsoil is some pretty good stuff??!!

 

[Elite1]

PB, that is an interesting chart... but don't forget it is listed in alphabetical order... . I'm surprised your statement didn't say "Redline is pretty good stuff" since the 20-50 wt. seems superior to the Amsoil.

 

[PBeaudoin]

Originally posted by Elite1

PB, that is an interesting chart... but don't forget it is listed in alphabetical order... . I'm surprised your statement didn't say "Redline is pretty good stuff" since the 20-50 wt. seems superior to the Amsoil.

Yes... you are correct, it was late when I wrote it so please forgive me. . I still am not sold on RP or Red Line, I guess they don't spend enough advertising their products... I don't know??? I guess also it's not readily avail. that easy???

I can't remember which oil company. . Red Line or Royal Purple, I think it is RP but this company owner is one of the original developers of Mobil 1 when it first came out. Mobil was furious that he left with their technology. Big corps need to take better care of their employees. .

That chart should help others here to see how well their oil preferences stands up.

Enjoy!

 

[LightmanE300]

That chart looks pretty outdated. .

 

[Elite1]

Originally posted by LightmanE300

That chart looks pretty outdated. .

and it's not for diesels (a triumph site)... no Delvac1 listing

 

[LightmanE300]

All hail the mighty D1 :-laf I can't wait till my truck is a bit more broken in... . 6 gals of d1 sitting here waiting. .

 

[PBeaudoin]

Originally posted by LightmanE300

That chart looks pretty outdated. .

Yes, I do agree it may be alittle outdated, however it still gets the point across to which companies makes a better product whether dino or synthetics. This chart show that synthetics are superior to Dino oils in temperature and longevity between oil changes . That is what I was reading here on this thread, what to use and what products etc. . Some of us believe synthetics are just a more expensive oil, that they are not worth the additional cost, this chart helps those in making their decision. We all have our preference to oils, doctors and cola's, but most of these companies products are created equal to each others ( within reason now), strictly because they HAVE too. Dino to dino, synthetic to synthetic. . etc...

Whether you use Delvac 1 or Amsoil 3000 you will probably never have an oil related problem strictly because you used the wrong name brand even though they are rated the same?



If I am not mistaken there was DIESEL oil mentioned in that chart just not your particular brand of choice. And how many of us really keep our trucks longer then they usually last? New technology, HP, torque etc. . keeps us buying new ones every day. I just traded my 03 2500 S. O. 47re for a new 04 2500 H. O. 48re If any of you are like the rest of the American population, less then 5 years. . 7 if your lucky

At 25k per year X 7 yrs. = 175K hmmm, not even making it to the 250K recommended rebuild. .

 

[DPKetchum]

350k recommended rebuild. Powserstroke and Duramax is in the 250 range.

 

[btoscano]

Lightman,



With regards to your comments about Amsiol 15w-40, I disagree. Amsoil AME 15w-40 is an EXCELLENT product. Is is NOT inferior to Delvac 1 or Amsoil Series 3000 in terms of additive package or basestocks. It is forumlated as a thicker oil and completely suitable for long drain intervals. For some applications it would be superior for reducing oil consumption.



Regards,

Brian

 

[LightmanE300]

If it were fortified with as good of additives and basestocks as series 3000, why is series 3000 almost twice the price? The 15w40 is a great oil, just not quite as good as the series 3k. I find the delvac 1 and 15w40 amsoil to be close in quality, with D1 having the edge IMO. Series 3000 is better than both but just too thin. .

 

[btoscano]

Lightman,



Using the parameter of cost only tell part of the picture. Amsoil Series 3000 5w-30 is a unique oil. Castrol Elixion 5w-30 may be the only comparable product. Both are fuel efficient heavy duty diesel oils. While it may be true that "advanced basestocks and additives" are required to make a thinner oil perform as well as a 5w-40 or 15w-40, this is comparing apples to oranges. If the 15w-40 doesn't need "advanced bastestocks" to perform as well, why use them? As I read your first message, Delvac 1 and Amsoil Series 3000 were both compared against Amsoil 15w-40. However, Delvac is costs significantly less than Series 3000: it costs me less than a dollar more than Amsoil 15w-40. Wear rates are roughly equivalent between the oils as I understand it. The newly formulated AME 15w-40 was thinned down a little and has a pour point of -49F and a CCS of 3407 @ -20C. Delvac 1 pours at -49F and has a CCS of 6100 @ -25C. The CCS test is performed at a different temperature because of the different viscosity. As consumers, I'm glad we can choose between these three excellent oils. I don't think one is better than the others, its about choosing the best oil for one's application.



-brian

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

With all the discussion about Delvac 1 and Amsoil, I'll post my experience with my 2001 Cummins which I ran to almost 90,000 miles.

I changed to synthetic at 12,000 miles then when my truck had 20,000 on it I changed it again so I could start my 20K oil change intervals. I changed my stock Stratapore every 7K (3 filters per change). I did an oil sample every 10,000 miles using Oil Analyzers, inc.



My experience:



--> Amsoil 15W40 gave the best wear, TBN and oxidation numbers overall, and held up the best after the oil passed 10,000 miles.



--> Delvac 1 performed the best during the first 10K miles but then wear metals and oxidation numbers fell off noticeably.



--> Amsoil 5W30 gave me the worst numbers overall except oxidation. Wear numbers were worse than Dino (Delo 400). I attribute part of that to 110F weather here but the other oils saw those temps as well.



Based on my experience I'm sticking with Amsoil 15W40 on my 2003. The winters are mild and summers can be very hot. I changed to it at 15,000 miles and have almost 19K now. I'm planning on 15K changes with 1 filter change in between.



Vaughn

 

[DPKetchum]

COOL

 

[PBeaudoin]

Well after Vaughn's statement... . Do we need to know what is working??

Synthetic is the way to go!

I agree, to the 15K oil changes with 7500 filter changes. I feel that if you double schedule B maintenance chart on synthetics you should be in great shape.

And the 15w-40 has a -38* pour point, which to me still can be considered a 0w40 dino oil.

I changed the oil on my 03 to Amsoil 5w-30 at 17K I really noticed a improvement in throttle response and start up in the morning. I was planning on 10K oil/filter as an insurance, but sold the truck too soon.

However, as in one of my previous statements, how long do you keep your truck? Is it worth the extra cost for synthetics if you not going to keep it?? I say yes if you work the snot out of it... . otherwise, if you are a joy rider then I say no.

MHO