Oil differentiation between diesel and auto applications

Spicer · May 24, 2015

The main feature of diesel motor oils are dispersants that keep soot in suspension in the oil.

Its easy to determine if a diesel engine is not using diesel specific oils. Usually the rocker and lifter galleys are packed with a mucky soot.

You will void your warranty by not using specified oils.

If you have been using API Sx (gasoline motor oil) and would like to switch back to diesel specific oils you must take notice of your oil condition after a couple hours use. Oils like Rotela will break down the sooty solids quite rapidly. You may have to change your oil again after just a few hours of use.

Mike

TomSeller · May 24, 2015

So are there oil additives we should be using? I have some older diesels and based on what I had read prior I was switching to Rotella T6. Now I see the concerns about CI rated oils. Trying to resist buying the tier 4 engines and now they are messing with the oil needed for then older engines. If there is an additive out there, that would work for me.

buickanddeere · May 25, 2015

Yes CF-2 not SF-2 as I typed in error.
Instead of adding witchcraft socery and potions to the crankcase . Why not just use an CI-4 spec oil such as that Cummins spec lube ? There were at least five acceptable oils listed on that link.

hutchman · May 25, 2015

TomSeller said:
So are there oil additives we should be using? I have some older diesels and based on what I had read prior I was switching to Rotella T6. Now I see the concerns about CI rated oils. Trying to resist buying the tier 4 engines and now they are messing with the oil needed for then older engines. If there is an additive out there, that would work for me.

Yes, there is stuff out there. This one is pretty commonly available at places like Advanced Auto etc.

Rislone USA 3X Concentrated Engine Oil Supplement with Zinc Treatment - Rislone USA

... it's expensive though especially if you have a machine that takes 5+ gallons of oil!

RickB · May 25, 2015

buickanddeere said:
Yes CF-2 not SF-2 as I typed in error.
Instead of adding witchcraft socery and potions to the crankcase . Why not just use an CI-4 spec oil such as that Cummins spec lube ? There were at least five acceptable oils listed on that link.

Exactly.

hutchman · May 25, 2015

buickanddeere said:
Yes CF-2 not SF-2 as I typed in error.
Instead of adding witchcraft socery and potions to the crankcase . Why not just use an CI-4 spec oil such as that Cummins spec lube ? There were at least five acceptable oils listed on that link.

Well, when EPA puts out a standard for US over the road oil, manufacturers tend to follow it. I can't buy CI-4 oil around here anymore. You might be able to get it in Canada as other countries don't drink the same kool-aid the US does.

To my knowledge, the only way you can get around CJ-4 is to buy a racing oil or something that is exempt from EPA standards (or add your own supplements) and it's not "supposed" to be use '"on road". I could be wrong but that's what I've read and observed. I just can't walk into stores around here and find CI-4 anymore. A CJ-4 like Rotella T6 is still pretty good stuff (not as good as the CI-4 formulation in my humble opinion) and that's what I roll with in some of my engines but it's a lot more expensive than the CI-4 stuff you used to be able to get at Tractor Supply in 5 gallon buckets and was fairly inexpensive.

hutchman · May 25, 2015

buickanddeere said:
Yes CF-2 not SF-2 as I typed in error.
Instead of adding witchcraft socery and potions to the crankcase . Why not just use an CI-4 spec oil such as that Cummins spec lube ? There were at least five acceptable oils listed on that link.

What link? The ones I posted that were from 2007, 2008. It's 2015 now so don't go going off into the weeds again on me like that other thread and try to keep up

TomSeller · May 25, 2015

hutchman said:
Yes, there is stuff out there. This one is pretty commonly available at places like Advanced Auto etc.

Rislone USA 3X Concentrated Engine Oil Supplement with Zinc Treatment - Rislone USA

... it's expensive though especially if you have a machine that takes 5+ gallons of oil!

Thanks.

3930dave · May 25, 2015

TomSeller said:
Thanks.

I believe it's been mentioned, but worth repeating..... don't get carried away adding ZDDP replacements - just like food, wine, and oxygen, there can be too much of a good thing.

BITOG has plenty of detailed discussions on ZDDP issues, if you don't mind spending the time reading....

Rgds, D.

buickanddeere · May 26, 2015

hutchman said:
What link? The ones I posted that were from 2007, 2008. It's 2015 now so don't go going off into the weeds again on me like that other thread and try to keep up

Here you go girlfriend.
.http://www.turbodieselregister.com/TDR57_Oil.pdf