Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Simple Question - What type of OIL to use?

[NavyDoc]

Just fishing for opinions as my first oil change is coming up. What are recommendations/experiences for engine oil?

Also any input on which fluid types for transmission, diffs, etc appreciated.

 

[kkreigh]

I have used Valvoline 5w 40w premium Blue synthetic oil, LF 3894 Stratopore oil filters, Mopar manual transmission fluid (NV5600 manual trans) Valvoline full synthetic gear oil 75 w 140 for rear end, 85 w for front differential since my truck was new in 2001. I have had no engine trans rear end or front end issues. 110,000 miles many pulling 24,000 lb trailer load.

 

[BeefDoc]

I have 308K on my 01, it weighs 10k all the time and often pulls 6K trailer.



Engine oil - Cenex TMS 10-30 winter, 15-40 spring, summer, fall. Change every 100-125hrs. Wix, Balwin or Fleetguard filters.

I have run synthetic Amsoil from time to time, 300hrs (10K) or so. After that many hours, it starts burning a lot of oil and it's cheaper to change it out.

On the Cenex oil, it will be near add after 100-150hrs. It will burn the Amsoil the same and after I start adding oil, it burns a quart to 1000 miles.



Fuel filter - change 10K or 200-250hrs



Auto Trans - Synthetic chrysler ATF every 25-30K



Differentials - Synthetic 85-140 Chrysler, change every 25-30K on rear, almost never on front. Rear differential is hottest running part of the ride especially if towing anything, often gets forgotten/overlooked.



I use the Cenex on the engine because I run it in all of my tractors on the farm, I have it readily available and don't have to buy special oil. I use the chrysler products on the trans on diffs because I usually have them serviced at my chysler dealer.



FWIW

Matt

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

Too many Docs in this room, don't know if I can stay long! JK

I have run Rotella 15W40 for the 470,000 miles I have owned the truck. Usually gets changed at 10,000 miles, sometimes it's closer to 15k, but I do run all highway miles which is easier on the oil.

Royal Purple GearMax has worked well for me in the diff. In your auto I would find a good quality Chrysler style ATF and run it.

On a stock fuel filter I will agree with BeefDoc at 10k, but when you have your FASS put on and a fuel psi gauge then you can just change when the psi starts to sag.

The Fleetguard LF3894 oil filter kkreigh mentioned is the best. Buy it at a big truck dealer.

Might want to consider changing the power steer fluid and putting in a good synthetic. The brake fluid could stand being flushed out with fresh stuff too.

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[BDaugherty]

Amsoil is best for every compartment. However, any oil changed on a regular basis will be better than the factory fill.



I use CAT branded oil in my engine due to price and availability.

Can't go wrong with Rotella.

The best oil filter I ever used was a Donalson Endurance filter. However, I usually use Hastings due to price and availability.



I use Amsoil in my NV5600 because it's not any more expensive than Mopar oil or any other oil rated for that application.



For an auto trans, my local WalMart sells Mopar ATF+4 for half of what the dealer gets. The PML transmission pan from Geno's is a little pricey, but REALLY nice.



Transfer case gets store brand DexIII/Merc ATF.



Power steering gets store brand power steering fluid. NOT ATF.

Valvoline makes a nice semi-synthetic PSF and GM PSF is supposed to be the cream of the crop.



Front and rear get CAT or Coastal 80W-90... whatever's handy.

I don't use friction modifier with my restacked and rubuilt trac-loc and I haven't had any chatter. However, you can always add friction modifier later if you have chatter problems.

 

[DIESELWRKS]

my 2 1/2 cents.

I like either royal purple for the diffs. but recently switched to redline (cheaper) both have lim slip additive in the oil.



I used penz synchomesh for my nv5600 but when I switched to redline mtl it seemed to shift smoother and its (cheaper) I also installed the filter for the transmission that mounts on the passenger side of the transmission this allows alittle more fluid and seems to do a good job.



I have used a combo of rotella (rosmella) 15/40 and cummins blue valvoline 15/40. for the engine never could tell any difference other than price. I have always tried to use fleetguard filters.



fleetguard filters for fuel



I dont tow that much and have 160k on the truck now. Im not going to knock any other brand since I have no experience with them. I would have tried amsoil at one time due to getting a good deal but did not and I'm to cheap to try them now I guess.



good place for the price to get filters if you dont already know.

Dodge Cummins and Ford Power Stroke Diesel Truck Accessories - Geno's Garage

and with my experience there is never enough navy corpsman.



2002 HO 6-SPD LB 4X4 QC HTT 62/14 SB-FE TST PM3/*REVO-BETA*SMARTY MACH 4'S, RINGED AND STUDS, AFE/2 " 4"EXHAUST D/PRICOL GAUGES, FASS 150, VULCAN 1/2 DRAW-STRAW, 3/8 FUEL LINE, DSS-TRAC-BAR STEER-BOX, AIR BAGS,17'' KMC BLACK HOSS, 315/70/17 MICKTHOM MTZ'S 6" RCD LONG ARM LIFT. :-laf... THANKS RIP Source Automotive Performance Diesel - Home

 

[FourBarR]

Rotella 15-40 changed 6000k ,fleetgard filter. trans. atf+4 pennsoil, diff. 75-90 synthetic pennsoil. all have 493,000 kms with no problems. At the next oil and filter change I will pass 500,000kms with original vp-44.

 

[JGamble]

dude,



Got a 01 2500 4x4 on Camp LeJeune, and loving it. What oil r you looking for? Engine? transmission? What? I can meet up with you at any time to help you with your best investment ever. My number is 910-467-1741



Regards,

Sgt. Gamble, J. D.

CLB-24 ENG DET

451-6191 SHOP 467-1741 Personal

 

[Joe Mc]

Doc, I started our using Premium Blue 15-40 for the first few years of ownership (bought in 01 w/75k) and then switched to Rotella 15-40. I change the oil every 3 - 4 k, only put on about 10k/year and drive 16 miles 1 way to work each day, 50% city so I change it frequently, always used the Fleet Guard filter.

 

[drag racer]

RedLine, bumper to bumper!

 

[OKish]

I'm running Lubro-Moly Touring Oil for diesels, love it.

 

[johncameron]

Shell Rotella every 15k (kilometers)

 

[DLausche]

Rotella 15-40 here every 6k miles. Stratopore filter always since I learned about the dangers of lesser quality filters on the market...

 

[MarkMiller]

Rotella used to be the best because it was cheaper and met all the specs. When they went from CI to CJ rating they lost a lot of the previously good properties of the oil. Look in the Review, multi-part article covered all this over the last few issues. Or maybe someone here can re-post it???

 

[NavyDoc]

So Rotella ain't what it used to be?? Is that what I'm reading? I don't know the difference in the letter designations - will try to find that review in the TDR editions that I have - only a few. If anyone can explain further, I would enjoy the education. Seems like ther are a lot of good choices out there that are being run.

 

[MarkMiller]

It comes down to various minerals and scrubbing agent etc... The article did a good job of explaining all the characteristics. It was not in the most recent issue but I believe in the previous 2 or three issues. I use a Mobil Delvac now because it tested well and I buy it in bulk(55 gallon drum) from a local distributor. I run it in everything from my 2007 Rams to my 1960 something Caterpillar motor grader. Does seem to really hold soot in it's molecules or it is really scrubbing out some old deposits because my used oil is more used looking and smelling than before. Could also be the fuel change. I switched oils around the same time as my fueling station switched fuels.

 

[JoeCanuck]

Esso/Exxon XD-3 0w-40. It's a group 4 synthetic.