Help - I'm an oil idiot.

[ronjhall]

150 years..? Isnt that the "half life" of cast iron?....

 

[TrippleT]

The following are some statistics on the different oils, from a quote I found.
All of the oils below excede the required API ratings of CF-4/SH by being rated CH-4/SJ. They also excede Ford's recommendation of Mack service rating EO-L--Mobil Delvac 1300 Super and Valvoline All-Fleet Plus are EO-M, all others are EO-M Plus.
None of the oils in the table are significantly better than the others over-all, but some are superior in critical areas than others. The high pour point of the Rotella T would make it less suitable for colder temperatures. Likewise the high Cold Cranking Viscosity of the Penzoil Long-Life.
But, to give Shell credit, Rotella T has a higher Viscosity Index than a majority of the other conventional oils.
Brand Properties
VI PP FP CCV %ASH HT/HS TBN 4-Ball(1)
79 Guardol QLT
15W-40 137 -38 240* 3000* 1.3 4.4* 10.1 n/a
Chevron DELO 400
15W-40 134 -39* 230 3150 1.34 n/a(2) 11.3 0.599
Mobil Delvac 1300
Super 15W-40 150* -36 215 4000(3) 1.5 4.4* 12* n/a
Motorcraft Super
Duty 15W-40 135 -30 232 3000* 0.9* n/a(2) 8 n/a
Penzoil Long-Life
15W-40 145 -39* 218 3500 1.4 4.3 11 n/a
Shell Rotella T
15W-40 146 -24 213 n/a(2) 1.35 n/a(2) 10.2 0.683
Valvoline
All-Fleet Plus
15W-40 136 -37 215 3200 1.35 4.2 10. n/a
Premium Blue
15W-40 139 -30 204 3100 1.35 4.2 10.3 0.707

 

[Marcussen]

I had no problem locating a 10W-30 diesel oil . My Dealer said they always use 15W-40 when they service any tractor. At my next oil change I will use Rottella T synthetic 5W-40 because of the lower pour point should give me better lubrication at start up summer and winter . Plus it's easy to find .

Both the 15W-40 and the 5W-40 are the same viscosity (thickenes) at 100ºC (212ºF) but the 5W flows down to -40ºF and the 15W flows down to -17ºF. I am not very likely to use my tractor at those temperature but the 5W flows better at 32º too .

 

[Dargo]

But, to give Shell credit, Rotella T has a higher Viscosity Index than a majority of the other conventional oils.

As well as a higher wear and lower TBN, both of which shows that it's an average oil at best. With a diesel, a high TBN to start is much more important as well as having as low as possible 4 ball number. Both the Delvac and Delo are clearly superior. There are others even cheaper than Rotella with far better numbers. Honestly, I have nothing against Shell, but I'm just amazed at how many people buy Rotella simply because it's cheap. I just don't get it... Oh well, I guess I ought to just try to hire the Rotella marketing guys for their ability to sell the heck out of an average oil.

 

[Bird]

Both the Delvac and Delo are clearly superior.

I wouldn't know anything about that, but I'm glad to hear it, since I ued the Delo myself.

 

[TrippleT]

Dargo, what brand do you recommend? I did not say that Rotella T was the very best oil. However, I have had no problems with it. Some of us have to use the best we can afford. Would you suggest Amsoil?
From another petroleum source: "A popular myth about engine oils is that the higher the new oil Total Base Number (TBN), the better. TBN is a measure of how much acidic combustion by-products an oil can neutralize, which is important to prevent corrosive wear. What’s more important than new oil TBN, though, is how much TBN remains in use over time. There are different additive chemistries, and the best ones have the ability to neutralize acids rapidly and sustain that neutralization over time."

 

[Dargo]

Dargo, what brand do you recommend?

I wouldn't. However, after spending some time at the public library I would certainly say that I trust information gathered from labs, chemistry books, and lab test results much more than claims made by any particular seller of petro products. My recommendation is to become as educated as you desire on petroleum products from science books (not published by any oil company) and base your buying decisions on facts rather than sales hype. I'm not one to follow the Lemmings.

 

[dmccarty]

I use the Shell 5wx40 in the truck and now in the tractor. The engines really like the oil on cold days.

I do oil analysis on both engines. The last lab report on the truck came back and with 7500 miles on the oil the TBN was 11.1. I have never seen a TBN on my UOA under 10. Per the manual I should change the oil at 5,000 miles. UOA over the years says I could go to 10,000 miles on the oil. Engine wear indicators are decreasing and the only time anything has shown up as a problem was diesel in the oil. And that was still within spec and was due to heavy city driving/ideling. Certainly not a oil brand problem.

Why spend more money when the oil works?
What would a "better" oil buy me?

Later,
Dan

 

[Sully2]

I use the Shell 5wx40 in the truck and now in the tractor. The engines really like the oil on cold days.

I do oil analysis on both engines. The last lab report on the truck came back and with 7500 miles on the oil the TBN was 11.1. I have never seen a TBN on my UOA under 10. Per the manual I should change the oil at 5,000 miles. UOA over the years says I could go to 10,000 miles on the oil. Engine wear indicators are decreasing and the only time anything has shown up as a problem was diesel in the oil. And that was still within spec and was due to heavy city driving/ideling. Certainly not a oil brand problem.

Why spend more money when the oil works?
What would a "better" oil buy me?

Later,
Dan

A "flatter" billfold.... Change per the specs..and any one of at least 1/2 dozen oils will do you fine. FAAARRRR too many act like every hour on their equipment is "full bore"..."as hard as it will run"...and for SOME that may be....but I doubt it. Under normal usage..or even light usage...running the proverbial "$25 a quart" syn or even Dino oil is a total waste...OTHER THAN giving the owner that warm and fussy feeling....

 

[SkyPup]

Dan, even though the Group III semi-synthetic 5W-40Shell Rotella T has a relatively low TBN, it still is a moderately decent oil for diesel service as long as it is changed out routinely prior to the TBN getting lower than 5, the soot level getting over 1%, or the oxidation-nitration getting too high.

I've been using it my Chevy 350 Z-71 gasser since it first came out and it is great in gasoline engines as long as it is changed regularly, also have been using it in my air cooled gasoline Honda Four Wheelers, Minibikes,Pressure Washer, Log Splitter, etc.

I would recommend it for almost all gasoline engines, as long as you change it every year.