Oil question

[dclassens]

I know the what brand is better thread has been kicked around SOOOO many times but bear with me...



My new to me truck has just over 250K on it. the most recent owner other than me has been using amsoil 10w30 diesel for reasons of less consumption during winter months in michigan(?). this stuff is like $30 a gallon. I am about to switch back to 15w40 rotella conventional but I figured I would give you guys some input. What do i do? how about Shell Rotella® T Synthetic SAE 5W-40?

remember this unit has 250K on the clock and has very minimal leaks with the thin 10w30. thanks

dave

 

[GHarman]

It depends on how many miles you drive it, where you live and road conditions. I have used the 15W-40 Amsoil Diesel and Marine in my old '91 for more than a decade. the last couple of years, I have only done an oil change once a year. In 2007, the year of a major clutch job and everything going wrong. We pulled the pan to replace the pan gasket. There was absolutely no sludge in the engine at ~183,000 miles, with only a small amount in the pan, that wiped out with a handfull of paper towels. It always started quickly, in cold weather(at high altitude) with a -38*f Pour Point. Presently the '91 is totaled but the motor starts and runs quite nicely. The replacement truck, a '93 will get an oil change as soon as I receive a new pan plug from Genos Garage. It will have the 15W-40 Amsoil installed. The real help is oil sampling and chemical analysis. Locally, in the Denver area, I can get my oil checked for less than $17. 00. I dont have to dispose of huge amounts of old oil (oil change every three months, regardless of mileage) and oil filters are cheap.

If you have your own business, with your letterhead or other (new?) requirements met, you can set-up a Commercial Account with Amsoil and buy it cheaper than dealer cost. That being said, the initial cost is not cheap, however, less oil changes with synthetic, balance out cheaper dino oil, IMHO. GregH

 

[JLEONARD]

You asked so I'll say I had always used rotella 15-40 in mine. I also use it in my boat diesel and in the diesel genset. It will work fine for you.

I think the biggest thing is to pick one and stick with it. I have read that swirtching brands back and forth is not good because they all use different additives.

So my advise is to settle with an oil brand that you can get conveniently.

 

[TBartlett1]

I live in the NE and have used Amsoil 15w40 marine, Rotella 5w40 and rotella 15w40, Delo & Delvac. I was running extended drain intervals with synthetic when I was running 130 miles a day with bypass filtration.

The synthetic made a huge difference in cranking speed during the winter and being 60 miles from home it was added insurance for a quick start @ 1am without the block heater. An added bonus was not changing the oil every month in the driveway.

I have no loyalty to any one brand but it must be a premium name brand.



My situation has since changed and I now use it as a grocery getter and may put on only 30 miles a week so I run Rotella 15w40 oil because the engine rarely gets up to temp and needs to be changed more often.

What to use synthetic or regular oil??

Well that depends on your particular situation.

Does it get fully warmed up every time you start?

Do you experience extreme hot or cold temps?

Is it used for short trips to & from work?

Do you put on a lot of miles and or work it hard and hate to change oil?

These things need to be considered before a recommendation can be made.



Not to stray from the topic but filters need be discussed also.

The quality of your filter is more important than which brand of oil to use.

Given a choice premium oil or premium filter you should choose the premium oil filter over the oil.



I recently replaced an engine for a friend because of a broken rod. She had the oil changed at a quick lube outfit and always paid for M1 10w30.



I tore the engine down to evaluate why it failed, what I saw was incredible wear on all bearings and cylinder wall scuffing. Even the cam bearings were deeply scored.

This was due to contamination because of a franchise filter (poor quality) not removing contaminates.

Cheap filters typically remove particles no smaller than 40 microns which is slightly less than . 002 thousands of an inch.

A premium filter will remove particles down to 10 microns.



For more info check out Bob Is the Oil Guy.

Welcome



Tim

 

[MAllen1]

I would have to agree with GHARMON. I would check with amsoil, there is two or three synthetic diesel oils that amsoil makes. I know the 15-40 marine oil is the cheaper synthetic, but amsoil also makes a synthetic blend.