Oil and then there's diesel oil

[Rat Rod Mac]

I am out of oil and have to order another 55 gallon drum of it, so I have been calling around to find the best deal. Ag- Land has an oil called Phillips. I have never heard of this brand before. What I'm using now is Castrol straight 30 weight, and on top of the drum it says "diesel". I thought 30 weight was 30 weight. Is there something special about it to be run in a diesel? Another oil they sell is called Shaffer, never heard of it before either, but it's about a third again higher in price. I asked the guy why and he said "it's really good stuff and they run it in their trucks, it's like Ams- oil he said". At $930 a drum it should be good. The Phillips is about $600 a drum. Would this Phillips oil be ok to run in a tractor and backhoe? And do I need to specify diesel oil? Thanks for your opinions. RRM

 

[RickB]

Phillips is an old domestic refiner. Today, Conoco Phillips and 76 brand are all under one corporate umbrella and offer a wide range of products among several labels. I believe i have read they are the largest domestic producer/refiner. The dealership where I work sells New Holland branded oils and as an alternative has offered 76 brand Universal Hydraulic Tractor Fluid and Conoco Phillips 76 Fleet Supreme 15W-40 engine oil, both of which have been well received. Engine oil you buy should have an API service rating in a trademarked circle somewhere on the label. The first letter of the rating will be S or C; C being oils deemed to be correct for Diesel engines. S rated oils should only be considered for Gasoline, LP or NG fueled spark ignition engines. The second letter of the rating is the progression of the oil's additive package specification with the current highest C rated oil being CJ-4. Do not consider any oil with an S-rating only, or any C- rated oil lower than CI-4 for your diesels.

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[k0ua]

The reason for the "C" rating is for Compression (diesel) engines. Diesel oil if formulated for use in diesel engines that will typically hold more soot suspended in the oil, among other reasons. The "S" rating stands for "spark". In other words engines that use spark plugs. I use Rotella 15W40, but depending on where you live, you might need something else. Did you consult your owners manual about Oils suitable for use in your tractor at various temperature ranges? But to directly answer you question, Yes you need an oil that is formulated with the correct additive package for diesel service, and as Rick pointed the CJ-4 rating is current.

 

[3930dave]

I am out of oil and have to order another 55 gallon drum of it, so I have been calling around to find the best deal. Ag- Land has an oil called Phillips. I have never heard of this brand before. What I'm using now is Castrol straight 30 weight, and on top of the drum it says "diesel". I thought 30 weight was 30 weight. Is there something special about it to be run in a diesel? Another oil they sell is called Shaffer, never heard of it before either, but it's about a third again higher in price. I asked the guy why and he said "it's really good stuff and they run it in their trucks, it's like Ams- oil he said". At $930 a drum it should be good. The Phillips is about $600 a drum. Would this Phillips oil be ok to run in a tractor and backhoe? And do I need to specify diesel oil? Thanks for your opinions. RRM

Many modern diesels are better off with a multi-grade diesel oil, than straight 30.... depends where you are though..... straight 30 up here would be a bear to start in Winter.

Check on the equipment, in the Owner's Manual, or with the equipment dealer for the recommended C_ oil spec, and viscosity grades - in the manual you should find a vicosity chart, vs. Ambient Temperature.

Shaeffer is a well respected oil, I'm not familiar with Phillips.

Rgds, D.

 

[Rat Rod Mac]

Thanks guys. Good information and I guess there is a difference between spark plugged engines and diesels when it comes to oils. One more question,,, would it hurt to use the CJ-4 oil in a gasoline engine? I would not think so, but what do you say. RRM

 

[3930dave]

Thanks guys. Good information and I guess there is a difference between spark plugged engines and diesels when it comes to oils. One more question,,, would it hurt to use the CJ-4 oil in a gasoline engine? I would not think so, but what do you say. RRM

What you have to watch is the specific S_ spec rating for the gas engine. Some diesel engine oils are dual rated for gas, some are not. There's a good chance the straight 30 oil you were using is not S_ rated.

Ex. Rotella T6 in 5W40 is SM rated. So.... if you have a brand new gas vehicle that needs SN, you could be voiding your warranty using the T6 in the gasser. Worth noting.... watch the viscosity re. approvals - I've seen Shell's T5 product have different C and S ratings, in a different viscosity.

http://s02.static-shell.com/content/dam/shell-new/local/business/rotella/downloads/pdf/rotella-t6-brochure.pdf

If the C_ (diesel) and S_ (gas) specs work out, you're good to go..... many guys use something like T6 for that reason..... gasser, diesel, lawn tractor, generator..... all get the same oil.

Some companies (ex. Valvoline) will market some of their diesel oils (that are dual C and S rated) as Fleet Oils to indicate diesel and gas use..... but the best thing to do is check the actual C and S ratings - on the bottle, jug itself.

Somebody with a Kubota has a story on here about picking up OEM oil at the dealer that was old stock, it didn't have the later C_ rating that his new tractor needed. He caught the mistake once he got home.... with the cost of emission parts, it's not a chance I'd want to take on new equipment....

Hi.... My Name is Dave..... and I spend too much time reading oil labels.......

Rgds, D.

 

[k0ua]

Hi.... My Name is Dave..... and I spend too much time reading oil labels..

There is a 12 step program for that! Actually I am glad someone takes the time to understand these specs and help explain them to the rest of us.:thumbsup:

 

[3930dave]

Hi.... My Name is Dave..... and I spend too much time reading oil labels..

There is a 12 step program for that! Actually I am glad someone takes the time to understand these specs and help explain them to the rest of us.:thumbsup:

I'll drift over to the Front Porch and FP from time to time, but one of the main reasons I like hanging around TBN is for sharing data back and forth, with congenial folks.... :thumbsup:

Emission issues have been driving a lot of the oil specs for some time, both gas and diesel. With the cost of modern emission systems, getting the wrong oil installed can get pretty expensive, If Things Go Wrong at inspection time.

Definitely not Dad's Oldsmobile anymore.... in a simpler time, just about any oil would do.

On the gas side of things, some of the new DI gas motors work pretty hard, esp. the ones with forced induction..... HP/Liter is getting up there, for a street engine, so keeping the right grade and spec of oil in those is getting more critical too....

The bit I've learned about lube oils mostly tells me I've still got lots to learn..... Bob Is The Oil Guy is a great resource for education, and private user submitted Oil Analysis reports.... there are some pretty sharp folks that hang out there, and love to talk oil..... Hey, at least that site reminds me I'm not the only one with the affliction !

Rgds, D.