Oil & Fuel Diesel Motor Oil?

[Cade]

I'm looking to do my first oil change on my L2650 diesel 4- wheel drive and noticed that there is engine oil specifically for diesel engines. The maintenance book only mentions 10-30W. Just wondering what the difference is and or if Im better off using the 10-30W oil for diesel engines.

Thanks

 

[Rich P]

Diesel oil does not have the detergents that gasoline oil has. With the higher compressions the oil endures, detergent oils will foam. It's also said that diesel oils will shear (break down) less. I'd be looking for Shell Rotella T or Schaffer's for my diesels. You bought an expensive piece of equipment, are you going to destroy it by using cheap oil?
-Rich

 

[DieselPower]

Actually diesel engine oils have as much detergent as gasoline engine oils do. Some of the major differences are additives that deal with the acid's formed by oxidation from the soot/oil mix and air. Diesel engine oils also have higher amounts of additives like zinc and usually more calcium, sulfated ash and phosphorus to deal with the higher load levels found in diesel engines. Diesel engine oils will also have a higher starting TBN (total base number) than gasoline engine oil will. This is the oil's ability to to neutralize acid.

When shopping for engine look for the API spec on the back of the bottle. You can read up on what the API rating's are and what they mean here on the API's website. http://new.api.org/certifications/engineoil/categories/upload/EngineOilGuide2006.pdf

 

[Rich P]

I just read through the "oil" section here. This guy knows what he's talking about.

 

[Lidger]

Do they make Synthetic oil for Diesels?
I asked in a previous post if synthetic oil is ok for my bota. I was told it would be a good upgrade. Should I be looking for special synthetic oild for Diesels?

 

[DieselPower]

Most major manufacturers that make diesel engine oil also make synthetic diesel engine oil. The two common viscosity's for conventional diesel engine oil are 10W/30 and 15W/40, you will also find synthetic 5W/30 and 5W/40. If your looking to buy something locally you may be able to find Rotella T synthetic. Caterpillar dealers also stock synthetic diesel engine oil as well as many tractor dealers. Just shop around and make sure the oil you are buying meets the API rating that your manual calls for.

 

[Spudgunner]

My son works at a truck stop and he gets Mobil Delvac (Mobil 1-Diesel flavor) for me. Even with his employee discount the stuff is expensive but where I use my Kubota (BX-23) the temps between winter and summer can run between -25F and 100F.

 

[DieselPower]

If you buy Caterpillar branded oil it's just relabeled Mobil Delvac. It's a good oil.

 

[Glowplug]

What about Amsoil synthetic diesel oil? That's what I used in my last oil change in my Kubota ZD28 and afterwards it seemed to run cooler. Of course, that may be me just trying to justify the extra cost. But I was thinking of using this in my Kubota m7040 as well. I would be willing to pay a significant amount extra even if it's only a little amount better. After all, that's one expensive chunk of iron and I want it to last a few decades.

 

[DieselPower]

Amsoil's fine also.