Kubota Engine Oil

[wmonroe]

My truck is an early 07 without the extra emissions equipment and was designed to use CI-4plus oil. After owning it about a year (maybe less) it was getting hard to find anything but CJ4, I had done a couple oil analysis with the CI-4 oil and decided to make the switch to CJ-4 since it was all I could find. After about 70,000 miles and another 5-6 oil analysis there has been absolutely no change in anything. So I guess I say all of that to say I'm comfortable running the CJ-4 oil.

 

[Chilly807]

Of course, this does not explain Kubota's own lubricants meeting the specification and claiming backwards compatibility.

This is my point of view as well.. I just said the hel* with it and continue to use Kubota's branded oil. No harmful effects either. If you're concerned about warranty issues or possible engine damage I suggest you get in touch with Kubota USA and ask them for their position on this in writing.

Any modern oil on the shelf will be CJ-4 compliant if they hope to sell any amount of it to the larger users, the trucking industry in particular. Kubota is a small player in the diesel engine market compared to the big guys like International, Cummins, and Cat just to name a few. Without doing extensive research I suspect all their newer engines call for CJ-4 oils, and they may even have statements issued explaining their position on the use of CJ-4 in older engines not originally spec'd for it.

My gut feeling is that there may be some difference in recommended oil change intervals, particularly if you use anything but ULSD fuel.

Sean

 

[KubotaToy]

Here is what the kubota website states, which is what the local dealer said to go by, the dealer has always maintained the manual is out of date concerning engine oil. https://www.kubota.com/service/LubricantMaintenance.aspx

DIESEL ENGINE OIL
Interim Tier4 and Newer
CJ-4 Required**

External EGR
CJ-4, CI-4**

Non-EGR
CJ-4, CI-4, CH-4**

**As of May 2012 this information supersedes all previous publications regarding the use of CJ-4

 

[Chilly807]

Here is what the kubota website states, which is what the local dealer said to go by, the dealer has always maintained the manual is out of date concerning engine oil. https://www.kubota.com/service/LubricantMaintenance.aspx

DIESEL ENGINE OIL
Interim Tier4 and Newer
CJ-4 Required**

External EGR
CJ-4, CI-4**

Non-EGR
CJ-4, CI-4, CH-4**

**As of May 2012 this information supersedes all previous publications regarding the use of CJ-4

Looks pretty definitive to me.

Sean

 

[alancamby]

You can still get Amsoil and Lucas in CI-4. It has a higher TBN # then CJ-4.

AMSOIL SAE 15W-40 Heavy-Duty Diesel and Marine Motor Oil

Lucas 15W-40 Magnum High TBN CI-4 Oil : Lucas Oil - Lucas 15W-40 Magnum High TBN CI-4 Oil

Testing of both the Amsoil CJ-4 oil and Amsoil CI-4 oil that they do is posted at the bottom of their product specs. The CI-4 oil has a smaller wear scar on the "four ball wear test". This is comparing Amsoil to Amsoil, so there is no reason for them to show one product performing better.

 

[beemerphile]

The CI-4 oil has a smaller wear scar on the "four ball wear test". This is comparing Amsoil to Amsoil, so there is no reason for them to show one product performing better.

I am not an Amsoil basher, as I use it in all my cars, trucks, and motorcycles. But, Amsoil is the only company that touts the four ball wear tests for motor oil. Most other oil companies (Mobil in particular) and the ASTM says that it is not useful as a wear indicator in engine oil. Gear oils are a different matter because extreme pressure performance is essential.

 

[TexasBoy]

Im going to use the same Valvoline Premium Blue that I use in my Cummins 6.7

https://valvoline.com/pdf/premium_blue.pdf

Larger chain auto-part stores often have promotions and have it on sale very cheap, I stock up at those times and use it when needed.