Rotella CJ-4...interesting observation...

[Gary - K7GLD]

Just got back my virgin oil analysis of this new Rotella T CJ-4, 15W40 oil from Blackstone. Here is the link to BITOG where I posted it:



Rotella T CJ-4 VOA

Looks quite clean - keep that Silicon number in mind when you get some miles on it and re-test...

 

[steved]

I'm going to look at some CI-4 to compare it to this CJ-4... at first glance they look very similar...



Boron is low...



steved

 

[BDanner]

GOOD reports - I'm waiting to see a few 5000 mile analysis reports to compare with the CI stuff to see if the claimed improved wear protection and other benefits are really there.

Gary where do you get your oil analyzed? I think I should check it finally at the tender mileage of 100,000.



Bruce

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Gary where do you get your oil analyzed? I think I should check it finally at the tender mileage of 100,000.



Bruce

I have found Blackstone to be the most consistent - they will also email your results for faster turnaround if you specify that, and for extra charge they will do TAN, TBN and a particle count.



They certainly are not the cheapest, but if you do more detailed tests as I do, the consistency more than makes up for the price - be sure to mention TDR membership for a small price discount. The whole gamut of tests runs me about $38...

 

[Cal Brewin]

I started the truck at 5*F and had almost no hesitation in getting oil pressure (like the ambient temps were 70*F!!!), unlike the CI-4 plus I was using before that literally took forever to get pressure at these temps. I do have a stand alone oil pressure guage on top of the filter housing, so I am seeing real oil pressure.

I was just on the Lubrizol website... alot of good info from the additive company about CJ-4. I read one of the requirements for the CJ-4 was it had to be better at low temperature pumpability than previous formulations. Seems you are right on with your observation.

 

[JoeHutchinson]

Joe



And again, what does having a 2007+truck have to do with oil other than you are supposed to run CJ-4?? Your points have nothing to do with the wear of the oil... the CJ-4 oil will wear a 2007+ engine just like it will a 1989 engine.



While I agree the oil is unproven, it doesn't matter what engine it is in with regards to wear. If I was talking about running CI-4 in a 2007+ engine, then you would have some valid points.



steved

Dear Steve,



The question I have is not will CJ-4 work in any year motor, but is CJ-4 better the CI-4. Experts seem to disagree one this question. Given that the only reason for the change was the EPA mandate I am skeptical. I have been to the Rotalla site and they make the new oil sound like the best stuff every made. But what else woiuld you expect.



The bigger question is. How do you know if it is working good or not??? I can't tell one oil from another in my truck, but if my motor wears out at 200,000 miles it will be to late change to another oil...



Right now I am just not sure what to think about CJ-4





Joe

2006 Quad Cab 4 X 4 Westeck EGT and Boost Gages, Newfoundland in back seat





__________________

 

[steved]

Dear Steve,



The question I have is not will CJ-4 work in any year motor, but is CJ-4 better the CI-4. Experts seem to disagree one this question.



The bigger question is. How do you know if it is working good or not??? I can't tell one oil from another in my truck...

From what I have seen there is nothing more than a bunch of speculation on the new formulation. Most are now saying it is as good or better than the CI-4plus. IMO, this whole hype was the same as when the ULSD was coming onto the market... "OMG, the truck will wear out in XX miles running it" . To this day I have not seen too many reports of catastrophic failures solely because of ULSD... and those were "experts" making those claims...



As far as looking at oil... oil analysis is the best way. We already have a VOA on the new CJ-4 15w40 Rotella and a UOA on CJ-4 10w30 Rotella. Neither looked drastically different from CI-4 plus. I am planning on taking a UOA (my first) at 10k on this run of oil to see what is going on.



steved

 

[Duluth Diesel]

The cold weather performance is attributed to having some synthetic base stocks, not CI-4 of CJ-4 rated. AMSOIL continues to offer, and recommend, CI-4 oils for 2006 and older trucks. CJ-4 is a compromise to meet emission requirements. I'll be sticking with AMSOIL full synthetic 15W40 CI-4 for as long as I can, and when it is going to be phased out, I'm going to stock up.



New AMSOIL DEO CJ-4 oil: TBN of 8. 0

AMSOIL AME CI-4 oil: TBN of 12. 0





-Chuck

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

From what I have seen there is nothing more than a bunch of speculation on the new formulation. Most are now saying it is as good or better than the CI-4plus. IMO, this whole hype was the same as when the ULSD was coming onto the market... "OMG, the truck will wear out in XX miles running it" . To this day I have not seen too many reports of catastrophic failures solely because of ULSD... and those were "experts" making those claims...



As far as looking at oil... oil analysis is the best way. We already have a VOA on the new CJ-4 15w40 Rotella and a UOA on CJ-4 10w30 Rotella. Neither looked drastically different from CI-4 plus. I am planning on taking a UOA (my first) at 10k on this run of oil to see what is going on.



steved

Unfortunately, it's very difficult to form an accurate analysis of actual performance of oil or fuel from only the first crankcase or tank full - it usually requires a significant number of miles under the floor boards - and sometimes, by the time actual data IS obtained, it's too late to make adjustments - even if adjustments are available.



Fact is, there HAVE been a significant increase in fuel system problems attributed to the ULSD - hard to precisely pinpoint beyond the fact that things were OK before the switch, but leakages or outright failure after.



And the term "significant failure" depends largely upon WHOSE IP failed - if it was mine, it was damn SURE the ULSD that did it - but if it was someone else's, well, it probably was "just a coincidence"... :-laf



As far as the new oil, while analysis is still the best available yardstick of comparison, other issues such as sludge buildup, varnish and similar issues are still unknowns, even after the analysis gives a clear bill of health on wear metals.

 

[steved]

Well, as an update:



I recently reverted back to CI-4plus because I had some to use up... even at temps nearer to 30*F, the CI-4plus doesn't pump up anywhere near as fast as the CJ-4 does at much colder temps (approaching 0*F).



I'm going to put 5k on this run and swap out all the filters (fullflow and bypass) and revert back (yet again) to CJ-4 since it didn't seem that bad in the UOA and it's easy to get.



I am comfortable running the CJ-4 now...



steved