Delo 400

   / Delo 400 #1  

JimMorrissey

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2001
Messages
1,804
Location
Southern Maine (now)
Tractor
'05/'06 L39 TLB
Any thoughts on Delo 400 15w-40 for winter use? I've been running it for years without any issues. It was very difficult to start my BX on really cold days. Maybe I should be looking at something lighter.
 
   / Delo 400 #2  
Jim, never an issue here using Delo 15W40. For your climate, why not just get a synthetic oil for diesel? That is one area I understand they are particularly beneficial. I don't have first hand experience since but a couple of days in winter do I ever need to break the 1/8" layer of ice that forms in the dogs drinking bowl.
 
   / Delo 400
  • Thread Starter
#3  
What do you suggest? I've got 115 hours on the L39 and I need to do the service. Not sure what to get. I don't want to get Amzoil or Redhead or anything like that where you have to mail order it. It's not a racing machine. It just lops along at 2500 rpm max.
 
   / Delo 400 #4  
Jim,

I have been putting Shell 5wx40 in my F350 for a year or two. Next oil change I'll be putting it in the JD4700. I don't get the cold weather that you do but the truck starts easier/sounds better on 5wx40 than on 15wx40. I keep the truck on a block heater in the winter but I don't with the tractor. Both start in the cold but the 5wx40 in the truck makes for a quieter start when cold. In the winter I was getting slightly better milage with the truck. Don't think it really matters for the tractor.

I figure the Shell 5wx40 is a good oil for the price/performance. If there was another oil at 5wx40 or 0wx40 for the same price I would just as likely buy another brand.

Later,
Dan
 
   / Delo 400 #5  
Jim, I've been using Amsoil 10W-40 Full Synthetic in our L-39 all year around, but the lowest temps here during winter are maybe 20*F.

If I were you, I'd get Mobile Delvac 5W-40 Full Synthetic up there for year around use, I think that would be much better than the Delo 15W-40 for your L-39, especially during the winter.

http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENCVLMOMobil_Delvac_1_5W-40.asp
 
   / Delo 400 #6  
I would not use that oil (Delo 400). Look at the pour pint -23 F. The pumping temp is like 0 F Anything below, it will be hard to start. Find a better oil.
 
   / Delo 400 #7  
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Jim, I've been using Amsoil 10W-40 Full Synthetic in our L-39 all year around, but the lowest temps here during winter are maybe 20*F. ) )</font>


You should be fine down to -34 F (pumping temp) with Amsoil 10w-40.

Mobil Delvac looks good until I see the ash, then bye bye.
 
   / Delo 400 #8  
Check out Rotella T Synthetic. Available at Wal-Mart for around $14 a gallon.
 
   / Delo 400 #9  
$14 is a lot for a group 3 dino oil.
 
   / Delo 400 #10  
If you can't put the tractor indoors, you might want to consider a block heater for those cold starts. Your engine will then start easily with whatever oil you want to run in it, and it has a big head start on getting warmed up.
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2018 CATERPILLAR 259D SKID STEER (A51242)
2018 CATERPILLAR...
2012 Ford F-150 Crew Cab Pickup Truck (A50323)
2012 Ford F-150...
2012 MACK GU713 DUMP TRUCK (A50459)
2012 MACK GU713...
2018 Nissan Versa Sedan (A50324)
2018 Nissan Versa...
2022 Ford Maverick Crew Cab AWD Pickup Truck (A50323)
2022 Ford Maverick...
2002 WESTERN STAR 4900 EX TANDEM AXLE SLEEPER TRUCK (A51219)
2002 WESTERN STAR...
 
Top