Question - Engine Oil?

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First of all I would like to thank everyone who contributes to the this website. The information I have reveived here has been invaulable.

As you can see, I am new here and a relatively new owner (driven it 6,000 miles so far) of a '96, 2500, 4x4, auto. I have plans on doing performance and appearance upgrades next spring, after the snow melts, but I think first thing is first, I am tryin to decide which engine oil I want to use.

I am thinknig of using a semi/full synthetic in the winter because of lower pour point and better cold weather flowability. Is anyone using John Deere 0w40? I was debating over the JD oil and Delvac 1 5w40 (sorry, no Amsoil). Is there any negative side affetcs of running a 0w or 5w versus a 15w? One service tech at my Cummins dealer suggests only a 15w.

During the warmer months I was thinking about Lubrication Engineers 8800 15w40. Is anyone using this?

I must also say I'm not a fan of extended drain intervals so whichever oil I run I will most likely change it every 3000-5000 depending on the trucks use (I know it's overkill, but cheap insurance).

Thanks for the input,
Ryan

[This message has been edited by Cooker (edited 12-12-2000). ]

 

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I believe Cummins recomends 15/40 year round, even in your climate. Their Premium Blue is a semisynthetic, and should do well for you. I'm curious: why not Amsoil?

 

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Delvac 5W-40 can be used all year round. I changed the oil and filter after 7500 miles with >50% towing and had great oil analysis results (12ppm iron). I've had similar levels of wear metals using Delo 400 15W-40 conventional oil after only 3200 miles. If you can find Delvac 1, go with it.

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1999 Quad cab 2500, SB, SLT, 4X4, 5-speed, 3. 54, tow and camper package, Lance 820 camper, Lance cabover stabilizers, Rancho 9000s, Airlift airbags

 

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Valvoline Premium Blue 2000 is a semisynthetic. Premium Blue is straight oil.

 

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Welcome aboard #ad

You should get a lot of feedback on this one #ad
If not, do a search and you should have plenty of reading.
I am using schedule B (every 3,500 miles) and plan to stay with Delo 400 because of my driving conditions. I do not have the starting problems with this oil that others may have in the winter season. I also plug mine in at night. I have a timer that allows 4 hous of juice before I start er up.
At 2. 5K - 3K you can start to see a break-down in the oil. When I change it at 3. 5K I feel glad I did.


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<font color=forestgreen>2000</font> DODGE <font color=forestgreen>RAM</font>, <font color=forestgreen>2500 HD</font>, 4x4 SLT, Reg. Cab, <font color=forestgreen>Forest Green</font>, Agate interior, Cummins ISB, Auto, Shift-on-the-Fly (241HD), 4. 10 Anti-slip Rear, 4-Wheel Anti-Lock, Trailer Tow Group, Camper Group, Michelin; DC: Fog Lights Kit, Tow Rings, Under rail bedliner, VentVisors, Mud Flaps, & Mats.
<font color=forestgreen>After-market</font>: K40, Viperw/AutoStart, Clarion 6 Disk CD w/remote, UnidenCB w/Francis antenna, Draw-Tite Activator II, Alpex 255TC2C Air Horns, Painless Wiring, HOWES, Liquid Glass #ad

 

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Is anyone using John Deere 0w40? I was debating over the JD oil and Delvac 1 5w40 (sorry, no Amsoil). Is there any negative side affetcs of running a 0w or 5w versus a 15w? One service tech at my Cummins dealer suggests only a 15w.

I'll see if I can merge some of my opinions with some of your leanings, and make a reasonable suggestion:
I personally saw some extremely low oil pressures once when running a 0W-30 oil, so I would not feel comfortable with 0W-xx oil. Plus, 5W-40 will flow just fine at very low temperatures, so why push it unless you are expecting truly Artic conditions? Since Delvac 1 is a name you feel comfortable with, I recommend you use the Delvac 1 in winter, then find some Mobil Delvac 1300 15W-40 for your "summer" oil. Staying with one brand should guarantee full chemical compatibility, and your seals would probably see similar additive chemicals in both oils. You could feel comfortable with 5000 to 7500 mile oil changes with the synthetic, and then go to 5000 or less with the Delvac 1300. I think this combination would leave you worry-free, and worry free is #ad

 

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I've done just fine with Delo 15-40 year round in all my diesels for 25+ years. Just need to plug in when it gets real cold.

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95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks Stinger,Warn fender flairs and running boards(Play truck)95 3500,5 speed,Driftwood,Banks&Phscotty,34,000 GCVW apple and tractor hauler(work truck)

 

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Here is what I have experiienced with my 96TD. I tried PB2000 (semi-synt) the first winter. Still cranked hard and slow if left unplugged overnight. Oil did a fine job based on analysis. Ran for 60K miles dumped oil every 6K. Switched to Amsoil 15W40 second winter. Helped but still crank slow when below -10. Oil also did a fine job even with 25K dumps (stock filtration). Ran for 60K. Been running Amsoils 5W30 since. This does crank slow when unplugged but is as good as it gets with what I have run. Quickest oil preasure. I run it year round. Oil analysis has been fine out to 30K dumps.

If you operate in below -10 temps and have to start your truck unplugged you WILL appreciate the thinner oil in good diesel 5W40 or 5W30 synthetic oil. If your truck is always garaged or can be plugged in you are probably fine with any good 15W40 (even staight oil). If your going to run a good 5W30 or 5W40 leave it in year round.

BTW, I set out a quart of PB2000 15w40 and a quart of Amsoil 75W90 overnight several years ago. Temp was -25 in the AM. The PB2000 was noticably thicker then the 75w90.

Nice and cool out now. Set a few bottles out and see for your self!

jjw
ND