Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Shell Rotella T synthetic

[btbuchanan]

Has anyone tried this 'new' oil in their 2nd gen. Cummins? Any thoughts?

 

[KOG]

I've been using it in gas engines for 5 years. Excellent oil. I'm using conventional Rotella in my Cummins because I don't run them enough to see a benefit from a synthetic. But if I were running the trucks enough I'd use synthetic in them as well.

 

[SRath]

I see the synthetic Rotella at WallyWorld for almost half what Amsoil Series 3000 costs and I am sorely tempted to switch. I think Amsoil has gotten downright idiotic with their pricing. I like their products, but they need to make some attempt at competitive pricing. Add in the rising cost of shipping, their dealer or preferred customer annual fee, and Amsoil is fast becoming a luxury I cannot afford any longer.

 

[Gene Heck]

Rotella Synthetic has been around for a few years now. I have been using Shell Rotella Synthetic 5W-40 since about 2002 or 2003. I really like it. Like SRath said I use some of the Amsoil products (not their engine oil) but they are starting to get to pricey for me. I bought up a quantity of the Rotella Syn. CI4+ before it went away and have enough to last me for awhile. What you see at Wally World now is the Rotella Syn. CJ rated oil if that bothers you.





Gene

 

[DPashko]

Been running rotella TSB 0-40 for years on my 12v's and did run it in my common rail and in a 24v too. Great oil never had any problems.

 

[HookMeUp]

was using valvoline and had an oil comsumption problem. switched to the rotella synthetic a couple of years ago and my oil consumption stopped.

 

[jeepit]

All I ever used with this truck since it had 10,000 miles on it.

 

[jwdeeming]

My '01 is closing in on 220k on it and Rotella T Synthetic is all I've used since 20k. No complaints, other than the cost. But I stopped doing full oil changes about 150k ago. I do filter changes more often than I used to change oil - now about every 3k, and just top off the oil lost from that. I figure I'm cycling enough new material in there to not worry about it.

 

[Breed]

been using it for years, buy it at Wally World, filters from Geno's, great Oil.

 

[hereismylife]

about amsoil.....

Did you ever try and go to the local warehouse and pick it up? Also if you become a perfered customer it is cheaper.

 

[SRath]

I don't think there is a "local warehouse". Everything around here has to come straight out Green Bay or wherever headquarters is. I once paid the money for "dealer status" just because I use Amsoil in everything and we were still racing motocross at the time. I did not see enough savings to make my "membership" fee back and let it lapse.

There are a couple of different stores around here that sell Amsoil. By the time you pay shipping and wait for it to arrive, it is about the same price and much faster to just buy it at those stores.

Those reasons also make it very hard to be a dealer. Nobody wants to wait for their oil or pay shipping charges. "I'll just buy Brand X 'cause I can always go to the store and just buy it" is what you hear quite often. And those folks have a good point.

To keep enough oil, grease, gear lube, etc on hand for immediate sale is too expensive. I think Amsoil is missing out on a huge segment of the market. I also think they are dead wrong for trying to price themselves into elite status. Meaning they keep their prices very uncompetitive thinking people will only believe it is a superior lubricant if costs the most.

I won't go back to Mobil 1, I had too many problems with seals leaking on virtually every motor using that. But I will try things like Shell Rotella synthetic. Five bucks per quart vs. ten or more for Amsoil is great incentive. The Mobil 1 grease works fine for me.

 

[hereismylife]

I don't think there is a "local warehouse". Everything around here has to come straight out Green Bay or wherever headquarters is. I once paid the money for "dealer status" just because I use Amsoil in everything and we were still racing motocross at the time. I did not see enough savings to make my "membership" fee back and let it lapse.



There are a couple of different stores around here that sell Amsoil. By the time you pay shipping and wait for it to arrive, it is about the same price and much faster to just buy it at those stores.



Those reasons also make it very hard to be a dealer. Nobody wants to wait for their oil or pay shipping charges. "I'll just buy Brand X 'cause I can always go to the store and just buy it" is what you hear quite often. And those folks have a good point.



To keep enough oil, grease, gear lube, etc on hand for immediate sale is too expensive. I think Amsoil is missing out on a huge segment of the market. I also think they are dead wrong for trying to price themselves into elite status. Meaning they keep their prices very uncompetitive thinking people will only believe it is a superior lubricant if costs the most.



I won't go back to Mobil 1, I had too many problems with seals leaking on virtually every motor using that. But I will try things like Shell Rotella synthetic. Five bucks per quart vs. ten or more for Amsoil is great incentive. The Mobil 1 grease works fine for me.

Thanks for the input. Around here we just go to the warehouse and keep in stock for everyone. Amsoil is growing but good things take time. I am actually suprised you don't go to your local dealer and get it from them. That is what they are there for. Good luck with whatever you do. .

 

[fest3er]

I don't think there is a "local warehouse". Everything around here has to come straight out Green Bay or wherever headquarters is. I once paid the money for "dealer status" just because I use Amsoil in everything and we were still racing motocross at the time. I did not see enough savings to make my "membership" fee back and let it lapse. ...

There are several regional Amsoil warehouses. Unless Amsoil are having problems at a warehouse (people aren't perfect, you know), they almost always get the product to my (or my customer's) door in 2-3 working days. If that's too long, there are stocking and distributing dealers to be found so you can walk in and buy off the shelf.

 

[SRath]

There is a local dealer. He signed me up to be a dealer because I bought so much. But even he, long established, seldom has what I want and/or enough of it on hand.

He is right up front, too, about adding a buck or two per quart for shipping costs. On top of his profit. Dealer, preferred customer, stranger off the street: it makes no difference. He will not lose money on shipping and I don't blame him.

Great guy. Great oil and products. Just too pricey for me anymore when its all said and done. Three gallons of Series 3000 and an Amsoil filter is a staggering amount of money for me. Worse than filling the fuel tank!!

I think I would rather have CLEAN Rotella Synthetic from walmart in my crankcase and change it more often than run the Amsoil too long. I do not (yet) have a bypass filter system.

Sometimes you just gotta settle for second-best. I smoke cheap--scratch that; there's no such thing-- cheaper cigarettes these days, too, and not because I like them as much. Times get tougher every day... it even costs more to kill yourself...

BTW: What is the favorite non-Amsoil oil filter around here? That puppy alone is like $30 bucks!

 

[hereismylife]

I understand what you are talking about but I want to keep my engine as long as I can. If I can go 1 yr or 2 yr before I change the oil I will be so far ahead than changing it every 3000 miles like I do now. I want to save as much money as possible and amsoil proved that I can do it but it does cost more.



I do not blame anyone that does not use it because everyone has different reason like yourself do what you do. I wish you were closer to help you out... but no can do..... :{



Good luck with the oil issue... .

 

[hsmith]

I get the Cummins filters from Geno's. Less than half that price.

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

I buy my fleetguard filters at a local cummins dealer. There must be enough of us around because they always have 20+ on hand. Knock off the shipping from Geno's and it saves me $3-$4 per filter.