Question for the oil experts.

[MojaveJoe]

The manual for the '04 HO calls for API Service CI-4/SH 15W40



I have looked at the Mopar oil and many other brands being used by the guys here, but can only find CI-4 in SI,SL or SJ. Would any of these oil specs be acceptable, as they are alphabetically higher than SH?



What other specs would be equal to or better than CI-4?



Some brand names would be helpful too.



Thanx,

Joe

 

[Rosco]

I think your right about the specification exceeding your requirments since it's alphabetically higher. However, the SI,SL,SJ are gasoline engine spec's so I don't think its as important as the

"CI-4" rating which is for diesels.



As far as brands go, Delo 400 and Shell RotellaT seemto be popular dino oils.

 

[Bertram65]

I have run both Rotella 15/40 and Mobil Delvac 1300 15/40 to me with the Delvac the engine seemed smoother and there was no smell for the first 500 miles like with the Rotella.

 

[Steve M]

CI= compression ignition

SI= spark ignition

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Here you go this might help you a little bit



API Specs



It basically is S for service and C for comercial but the I is just the latest certification of oils. So yes higher letters are typically better oils with the exception of GL-4 and GL-5 gear oils which contain different additives and should not normally be superceeded.





Tim

 

[MojaveJoe]

OK ....I'll bite

:--)

Apparently the CI-4 is the latest diesel oil spec.



But what is the second spec for? SH, SI, SJ, SL? (ash?) and which spec is better?



The way I have seen the oil spec displayed on containers is like this "CI-4/SI,SJ,SL" I have yet to see an SH.



Anyone care to clarify for us?

 

[Crunch]

No-smella disappointment

Originally posted by Bertram65

I have run both Rotella 15/40 and Mobil Delvac 1300 15/40 to me with the Delvac the engine seemed smoother and there was no smell for the first 500 miles like with the Rotella.

I did my first oil change about a month ago and used Rotella-T. Absolutely no smell from the change till now with 2800 miles on the oil. I was looking forward to the smell and disappointed that I missed out on it. Maybe it's because it was the first change and like baby poop it doesn't smell at first. I was really counting on stenching out my neighbors...

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

It would mean it meets both the CI-4 spec and the SL spec meaning you could put it in your car. Many motorcyclist actually use 15W40 in their bikes. If you look at the link I posted you will see SH is obsolete. I think my owners manual calls for a CG-4 oil but try finding something that says CG-4 on it now so I use CH-4 or CI-4 products as they are the latest and greatest

 

[MojaveJoe]

Latest API spec page

Thanks to TT1 for the link, but here's the one effective 9/02 that includes the CH spec.



http://api-ep.api.org/filelibrary/Guidechart2002.pdf



Still wondering though what the second set of letters is for and if I can just ignore it when choosing an oil?

 

[Dean Upson]

Re: No-smella disappointment

Originally posted by Crunch

I did my first oil change about a month ago and used Rotella-T. Absolutely no smell from the change till now with 2800 miles on the oil. ]

I don't notice any smell with the Rotella and I've changed my oil twice now.



Dean

 

[dieselpilot1969]

Maybe your smeller is broken (lol)

 

[MojaveJoe]

The complete list of API Oil Specs

Thanks Guys... for all your input.



I just stumbled across this link to the API service specs for just about any oil you've ever used or heard of (long list ).

Thanks to CATCRACKER for providing the link in another thread.



http://eolcs.api.org/FindBrandByServiceCategory.asp?ServiceCategory=CI-4



Laterz,

Joe

 

[RM]

you need a oil that also has the sh rating or higher for the lifters in our trucks. its a gas oil spec for slipper lifters it means its will hold up to the extreme pressure of the slippers against the cam.

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by dieselpilot1969

Maybe your smeller is broken (lol)

Along with everything else .



Dean

 

[adsharpe]

Re: OK ....I'll bite

Originally posted by mojaveJoe

:--)

Apparently the CI-4 is the latest diesel oil spec.



But what is the second spec for? SH, SI, SJ, SL? (ash?) and which spec is better?



The way I have seen the oil spec displayed on containers is like this "CI-4/SI,SJ,SL" I have yet to see an SH.



Anyone care to clarify for us?

The "S" is for gassers. They are backwards compatible, so just worry about the CI-4 rating. Any "S" rating with it will be newer than SH.



www.bobistheoilguy.com is the place to learn about oil. Oo.