Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Oil, again

[RClark]

Walking thru Walmart the only oil I found that was CI-4 was the house brand, Tech or something like that. All the rest was CJ-4 and some were marked Low Emission.

I'm still confused, what should I use?

Which brand is less likely to cause trouble?

Is the Tech brand OK?

 

[HBarlow]

The best answer to your question can be found in an issue of TDR magazine several issues back. Testing of many popular brands was done and the results evaluated and commented on but I don't remember the results off the top of my head.

All brands carrying the industry labels and descriptions meet standards and are probably good and adequate meaning perfectly safe to use in your engine. Some cost more and may, or may not be, better.

 

[hsmith]

Well, I am in the same boat. Have run Delo 400 CI4 for 200k with no issues. Now due a change and not sure which way I am going. Had a chance a while back to get some Premium Blue Classic, which is CJ4, but is no longer available. Thinking of trying the Premium Blue anyway. Don't want to go synthetic. Nothing against it, just my thinking for the present. Post what you decide to use.

 

[RClark]

The only CI-4 I have found is Walmart house brand. I'm heading to Idaho in2 weeks so I'll try farm stores on the way up. Might overload my truck if i find some.

 

[WestTN]

If I remember correctly, that test of oils a few issues back revealed the WalMart oil was one of the very best.

 

[FourBarR]

I use wal mart oil since I cant get shell rotella in ci-4. Ontalking with the local dealer and wal mart regional depot, they say its rebranded shell rotella 15-40. In Canada Shell has always been advertized as THE Million Mile oil. The Walmart oil has a logo on the jug The Million Mile Oil.

 

[AABEN]

hsmith the Premium Blue Classic is CI-4 Plus API CI=4 API CH-4 CG-4 CF-4 CF/SL THE part # is 591839 for 5gal pail I get it at NAPA

 

[bheiting]

TDR issue 57 has John Martin's Technical Topics article on oil specs. Actually issues
56 and 58 are part of the series, but 57 goes into the most detail.

The Walmart oil was rated "satisfactory" but was superior to any of the CJ-4 oils.
I printed a copy of the article from the TDR site a while back but can't find the source now. You should be able to buy the back issue from TDR.

I have been using Cummins/Valvoline Premium Blue Classic from my local Cummins
distributor. It only comes in 5 gallon pails, but they make good containers for waste
oil. They were running a sale recently. I just bought a hand operated pump for the
bucket at Northern Tool.

Last fall I found some Rotella T Syn. CI-4+ mixed in with the CJ-4 at Walmart. I mentioned it to the dummies in the auto section. They had no idea what I was talking about.