rotella 0W-40 Full Sythetic ok ?

[KMUNCASTER]

I know this will spark a great debate, but it's winter here in Ontario and I'm about to do the first service on the Old Goat since buying her. Guy was running Q-state 15-40 since new, but I'd like to run full Synthetic for the winter. Canadian Tire has Rotella TSB 0W40 Full Synthetic on sale, but is 0W-40 gonna be ok for the old girl ? I've been using Rotella XLA 15-40 in my 6. 2 Chev for 300,000 km, and my father in law has 850,000 miles on his Detroit 550 Series 60 in his Pete, nothing but Rotella... . so I'm kinda sold on Shell.....



but is the 0W too thin even in the winter weather ?... . if so, I'll go to something else, not worth taking a chance.



My local Napa store sells WIX, so I'll use their filters.....



Diesel Dad.

 

[KennethS]

I have always used 15W 40 and no problems

Why change when you have no problems. Keeping the oil clean is the secret. I would not waist my money for that.

 

[KMUNCASTER]

15w40 may be too heavy for -15 and colder

my concern is that the 15w40 doesn't flow in sub-zero, the synthetic will, especially on start up. But will the 0w be too light ? I'll change it back out in spring/warmer temps. The Full-Syn was on for 1/2 price... thought it might be a nice treat for those frozen mornings.

 

[dpuckett]

How sub zero are you anticipating? Plus, if you plug in the block heater, it ought to heat the rest of the engine area to a suitable temperature. I've started mine at 5 below (COOOOLLD for here). As long as the oil pressure comes up within 10 sec, you should be ok with 15w40.



Though cold start wear may be an issue in some engines, I dont think it is in our Mighty Bs. So you wear it down so it needs a rebuild at 800K instead of 1000K? Big deal. I think it is a gimmick by the producers of synthetic oils.



Just reread the "title" of you last post, nevermind on the anticipated temp.



Daniel

 

[KMUNCASTER]

it'll be nipply for sure...

We'll see temps in late Dec thru mid Feb of -20 to -30 Celcius, and nite time lows in the -30 to -40 some nites ..... thus the interest in Synthetic. Block heater for sure below -15 celc. , interior heater cuz she makes ice at idle, winter in Ontario... . yuck !!!!



If I could figure out a way to run my shop from the south in Jan-Feb... . I'd be so gone, I'd rent umbrellas and lawnchairs on the beach somewhere..... yah, that's it !!!

 

[JLEONARD]

If I were in those temps I would not hesitate to try the 0-40.

It won't be too thin.

 

[tugboatphil]

An other option might be a dipstick heater that keeps the oilpan warm. I got one for my tractor and she starts up with no problem in the winter. I got it because there is no block heater.

 

[JTsokalas]

I have been using the 5 W 40 Rotella Synthetic for a couple of years now and the cold weather performance is exceptional. Prior to the synthetic, I was using the conventional 15 W 40 Rotella and when the temp. got below zero, even when plugged in, you knew the starter was working. With the synthetic, plugged in or not, she fires right off, first time very time. I have had great success with that oil so I use it all year 'round.

 

[KMUNCASTER]

good to know..

I have run Syntec in my gasser Ford Plow Truck for 250,000km and it makes a big difference in the winter... no knocking at cold start and the guage hops up right away... . we promote synthetic and semi-syn. lubes in all the engines we sell and service in our shop.



I'm gonna change this weekend, the old Goat will be purring when the mercury drops... .



:-laf

 

[MGunville]

I was using a Co-op brand 0-40 full synthetic in the winter and a 15-40 synthetic in the summer when I had my 92. It definitely helped on those days where it was in the -30C range and it had sat outside for a few hours at work or where ever. Living here in the boonies and never knowing what weather mother nature was going to throw at me it was a little extra insurance. There was no noticeable oil consumption or anything I worried about. I'd say go for it and don't look back.



Oops my signature is wrong , no more 03, bye bye improperly valved B series.

 

[JLabossiere]

I have been using the 0-40w Shell rotella synthetic for a couple winters now and no problems. Been a blessing actually when I had to park in the overflow lot at the hanger with no plug in's. A week later when I got out of the bush it was -32 c, the truck started right up and there was oil pressure right away. I still cringe when I think of that.

 

[RWWinslow]

0-40W synthetic will work fine at subzero temps - I have over a million miles on several cummins varieties and use the synthetics during the winter months. I would also suggest you check out one of the peel and stick oil plan heaters - one site is: http://www.wolverineheater.com/index.shtml



They work extremely well when electricity is available.

 

[DValentine]

0-40W synthetic will work fine at subzero temps. "



I too think that syn oils are great. I was a changed man when working on logging equpment, changing final drive oil on some logging equipment, for a customer. The dino oil was much harder to pump (with hand pump) than the syn oil, at just 25 degrees F... ... both the same advertized viscosity. Made a believer out of me. I have run syn gear oil from then on, as well as 5w-40 motor oil in the crank case. I can plug the truck in most of the time but, not always.