Synthetics In Detroit 8V-92TA's

[KIseminger]

I work for a fire department and one of my duties is vehicle maintenance. Most of our engines are older with exception of 2 new engines we will be getting with the Detroit 60 Series. All of the motors are different versions of the Detroit 8V-92TA.



I was thinking about putting something together to change to synthetics to reduce down time, cost, time spent on maintenance, etc.



What have been peoples results with drain intervals, oil weight, etc. in this application.



Any thougts pertaining to this issue are very welcome. However, I do not want this turning in to a brand or oil war; leave that to another thread. Just looking for honest information.



Don't mean to sound crude, I just know where these things can go.



-Kyle

 

[nickleinonen]

if memory serves me right, those engines don't like multi-viscosity engine oils... the owners manuals suggest 30 or 40 weight oil. i think it was due to foaming but i am not sure. you probably could get away with running a 5w40 synthetic but i am not sure...

 

[Wooter]

Originally posted by KIseminger

I work for a fire department and one of my duties is vehicle maintenance. Most of our engines are older with exception of 2 new engines we will be getting with the Detroit 60 Series. All of the motors are different versions of the Detroit 8V-92TA.



I was thinking about putting something together to change to synthetics to reduce down time, cost, time spent on maintenance, etc.



What have been peoples results with drain intervals, oil weight, etc. in this application.



Any thougts pertaining to this issue are very welcome. However, I do not want this turning in to a brand or oil war; leave that to another thread. Just looking for honest information.



Don't mean to sound crude, I just know where these things can go.



-Kyle

 

[Wooter]

TRY CONTACTING SOMEONE IN THE DDC ENGINEERING LAB AT THE ENGINE PLANT IN DETROIT (313-592-5000) WORKED FOR THEM FOR 35 YRS AND THE WORD I ALWAYS HERD WAS THE D'DIESELS (THE TWO CYCLE VARIETY) DONT LIKE MULTI-VIS OILS!

I HAVENT TALKED WITH ANYONE RECENTLY BOUT THAT SUBJECT AND THE LAB WOULD BE A GOOD PLACE TO START

 

[KIseminger]

I know what you guys are talking about. I have seen the same spec and we actually used to use 40 weight oil but now use 15-40. The guy that performs all of our maintnenace says that it's fine (even though I told him that the manual stated that). Although we have not had any problems to date. I beleive that the manual stated that 15-40 can be used only if it's below 32(?) degrees F.

 

[ata]

I don`t think your service guy knows what he is talking about using multi-vis oils in a Detroit. (2-cycle) but I`m not going to go there. As for Synthetics in a Detroit you will have to put a bucket under it to catch all the leaks and if drive them any miles at all they like to use it up fairly fast. At least that was our experience where I worked and we had lots of them good old 71`s and 92`s.

 

[KIseminger]

Originally posted by ata

I don`t think your service guy knows what he is talking about using multi-vis oils in a Detroit. (2-cycle) but I`m not going to go there. As for Synthetics in a Detroit you will have to put a bucket under it to catch all the leaks and if drive them any miles at all they like to use it up fairly fast. At least that was our experience where I worked and we had lots of them good old 71`s and 92`s.

Yeah I know. For the most part a smart guy, but sometiimes I have to wonder. He's one of those people that is tough to get your point through to him. I was thinking along the lines of an AMSOIL 15-40 or the 30W. The 5W-30 may not be enough for the older motors.

 

[Rosco]

Originally posted by KIseminger

I know what you guys are talking about. I have seen the same spec and we actually used to use 40 weight oil but now use 15-40. The guy that performs all of our maintnenace says that it's fine (even though I told him that the manual stated that). Although we have not had any problems to date. I beleive that the manual stated that 15-40 can be used only if it's below 32(?) degrees F.

Our maintenence contractor started using 15w40 in our 6v92ta equipped pumper. When I questioned him on it he got a little irritated and stated that he talked to Detroit Diesel and they said it was fine. However, I still am not sold on that theory so if someone know's better please chime in.

 

[SEmerson]

I have some Detroits. I dont even bother changing the oil. You add at the top and it runs out the bottom. Detroits are like dogs thay mark every where thay have been. Just remember with a Detroit if it dosen't leak it is out of oil.

 

[SGibson]

I have a detroit in my Dodge and I can't imagine running synthetic in it, A silk suit on a pig comes to mind. I do appreciate the low ash tip, you don't hear many of these running around anymore.

 

[Wooter]

detroit 2 cycle oil

Looks to me like ya herd from one of the DDC people who told me bout 2 cycles not liking multivis oils (dl5treez) and if anybody knows, he is the one!

 

[Speedo]

92s and multi viscosity oils

One of the first things that will go if you use multi vis oils on a 92TA will be the slipper bearings. We ran a mixed fleet with a bunch of 6V-92TAs and brought in a new batch of vehicles with 50 Series engines. We switched the fleet over to 15w-40 because that was what was recommended for the 4 strokes. The local DDC dealer said that we could use the multi vis oil but we would need to cut our service intervals for the 2 strokes. We still ended up doing a bunch of in frames because of the multi vis oil.

The first thing to go is the slipper bearing, it will rotate and block off oil flow to the crown of the cross head piston and the piston will seize in the bore. If you're lucky thats all that will happen. If the engine will be kept indoors then run straight 40wt. oil.



Gus

 

[KIseminger]

OK, I just educated myself on the weights of oils. I know that DD reccomends a straight 40 weight oil. With that being said, the way I understand it now, they are both 40 weight oils, the 15W-40 is just rated for lower temps but still retaining the high temp ratings as the straight 40. So does this mean they do the same job at higher temps? Does this make sense?



I am not doubting anyone just trying to come up with a good way to explain this to my Captain.



Thanks for all the replys.



-Kyle

 

[Phrogger57]

Extended oil life

I too ave been changing over our departments vehicles to sytnthetic- However, we only have 1 -71 series left, and I don't intend to put synthetic in it, even though it is not (Currently) a leaker.



As far as oil life, go with regular oil samples. Until you get several, though, and establish a trend you don't have a very good picture of anything other than the oil's condition (TBN,vis,etc. ). Do your research, select the best oil for your specific application, and then monitor it. In the long run, you will find that you can spot a trend beginning long before it gets real obvious. -Eric

 

[PLaFrombois]

Kyle, If DD recomends a straight 40, you can use a 15W-40. The 15W-40 is a multi-weight oil, meaning that it will flow through the engine upon start-up quicker than a straight weight oil, say a 40 weight. Once the engine is at operating temp the 15W-40 is like a straight 40 weight oil.



If you have any questions, you can PM me.



Paul

 

[KIseminger]

Thanks for all the info everyone.



I have been doing a little research and would have to say that the straight 40 is better. I just looked at the bottle I put in one of the engines that is a 15W-40 and it was not CF-2 approved, as Detroit requires. I understand that they may be the same weight oils now, but from some other reading it sounds like the additives & polymers that make a multi do the harm. Am I right in assuming that?



I also just looked at AMSOIL's 15-40 and it is CF-2 approved. I still need to find some specs for dino 40 weight and compare.



-Kyle



I actually just looked at a gallon of Delo 15-40 and it was not CF-2 approved either.