Oil & Fuel Hey Guys, I need help with engine oil!

[DickS]

Color me in for Shell Rotella 5W40 synthetic for those cold Yooper starts.

 

[teeravis1]

Thanks for all the help everyone!!

Trav

 

[rdsaustintx]

For my B3030 my manual says I should use an engine oil with an API classification of CF because I use high sulfur (off road) diesel.

I doubt you are still able to get high sulfur fuel. For a few years it was all LSD (gotta love that).

But AFAIK every refiner has gone to ULSD now, so it's all the same stuff. They just throw a little dye in offroad (or heating oil) to avoid road tax surcharge.

If somebody knows better, please chime in. But I have read this over and over.

Russell in BubbaLand

 

[cp1969]

This has been discussed at length here. It isn't all ULSD....yet. It will be, but not as of today.

 

[ndnparts]

Most diesel motorhome owners use either Delo or Rotella, which are both very good oils and readily available. I use Delo in my CAT 3126 because I have it serviced rather than do it myself, and that is what the shop I use carries. I generally keep Rotella on hand for the Kubota and Onan generator (Kubota engine), which I do the services on. I doubt there is a great deal of difference between them, and both are top rated products in diesel applications. Stan

CF is just a bit obsolete and Kubota seems to stay behind in updating their manuals. As long as the first letter is a C and the second letter is farther along in the alphabet than E, you'll be fine. I used Chevron's Delo 400 in the 15W-40 weight, and everyone I knew with both diesel tractors and trucks used either the Delo or the Shell Rotella.

 

[frank_miller]

Rotella is a good oil for the price; however, I will take Amsoil over it. Better ZDDP, lower Pour point (= better pumping temp), less ash, higher TBN, etc.

People love Rotella etc since every, "save money live better" sells it.

 

[Toolguy]

I use Mobil Delvac synthetic 5w-40 year around.

 

[drtydeed]

I run 15w40 only. That's also what I was told to use by the dealer. Never had an issue.

 

[Old School]

I use 10w-30 synthetic.

Whether you choose to use 15W-40 or 10W-30 or some other mix there is one thing for certain, running synthetic is a must especially if your in the below freezing zone or in the brutal heat. Since about 1989 I haven't had a block heater in any of my non-diesel vehicle and they always start. My snowmobiles use synthetic 2-cycle and I only change the plugs maybe once a year instead of ever other weekend or more. I've found all of my equipment to be more reliable with fewer breakdowns. I personally have found there to be a difference in brands of synthetic and have my preferences just the same as some choice John Deere or Ford over Kubota.

One thing over looked here is also the quality of the oil filter. One of the most common filters sold at your local stores only has an efficiency rating of 38%. So you think running conventional oil with a cheep filter and changing it frequently is overcoming the disadvantages, wrong. The filter needs the oil to dirty the filter element enough to increase the efficiency of the filter that it actually starts doing what it suppose to do and by that time the oil additives have started to break down and begin to slug. If you start researching both the oil and filters I believe you will be amazed at what you will find. Just because it says synthetic, is the manufactures brand or they have a popular name that you see everywhere doesn't mean its a great product.

I hope this might help, if nothing else it should create some good discussion.

 

[cp1969]

I use 10w-30 synthetic.

Whether you choose to use 15W-40 or 10W-30 or some other mix there is one thing for certain, running synthetic is a must especially if your in the below freezing zone or in the brutal heat.

A "must"?

That would be news to a lot of folks.