Synthetic Oil in Tractors and Trucks

[Sully2]

I am about ready to switch to Texas Refinery Corp, synthetic blend 15-40w motor oil. I am going to use their Universal Torque Fluid for my hydraulics. The oil is here but I won't begin to use it until this spring. I was impressed with Diesel Powers knowledge of motor oil so I purchased the oil from him. I have a friend who owns an oil business in Corpus Christi Tx and I called him before I made the purchase. He said it's a company that makes a superior product and had been in business since the 1920's. They also do a free oil analysis if you use their products so I should have a pretty good idea when it's time to change the oil.

The product you speak of...MIGHT BE the greatest thing ever produced...but I read their webpage..and it reeks of AMSOIL type advertisment!!! Lots of inuendo's of what they make..how good it is...yadda yadda yaddo..and no real substance! Their salesplan is another pyramid scheme..of which I personally would have not one part in.

I noticed in the "2 cycle oil's" they sell...passed all the TC-W3 testing...but NO WHERE does it say thats its "BIA certified"..!! etc..etc..etc.

The "fact" that they have been around since 1922 doesnt give me any warm and fuzzy feeling...because so has Ford!!!

 

[DieselPower]

Classic Dino vs sythnetic debate:

can anybody list some of the types of Synthetic oil they use for diesel motors (truck & tractor) for winter and summer use? and if possible list those that are CJ4 compliant (for 2007 models)

I think this info is more helpful than the tireless debates

Duc

Amen brother.

As far as the CJ-4 goes don't forget you are only required to use it in engines that "require" it. If your engine does not have a particluate filter/converter in the exhaust then you probably don't need it. Most people looking for a oil for their tractor will be fine with a CI-4 API spec oil.

From what I have seen all the major oil manufacturers are making both CI-4 and CJ-4 oils. The main reason is that CJ-4 oil tends to cost more because of the different additive package they have had to use that will not plug up the particulate filters.

If all your equipment and trucks only require CI-4 or lower spec oil then there is no real reason to use the more expensive CJ-4 oil.

If you do have a mixed fleet with some that requires a CJ-4 oil then you can either buy both CI-4 and CJ-4 oils, making sure to use only CJ-4 in the vehicles that require it. I have been suggesting to my customers that now have mixed fleets to paint their oil fill caps different colors and to also paint their oil dispensing handles to match (make it simple stupid). The only problem is if someone by accident fills a new engine with the wrong oil you just voided the warrenty on your particulate filter and they ain't cheap to replace.

The other option for mixed fleets is to run only CJ-4. Since it is fully backwards compatible it can be run in not only the new engines but old ones as well. It's more expensive to do it this way but there is also no way for a lube tech to accidently fill a new engine with the wrong oil.

If you would like to check if your oil supplier now makes a API CJ-4 engine oil you can check the API license directory here. All oil's licensed by the API are listed here. Company Names

 

[DieselPower]

The product you speak of...MIGHT BE the greatest thing ever produced...but I read their webpage..and it reeks of AMSOIL type advertisment!!! Lots of inuendo's of what they make..how good it is...yadda yadda yaddo..and no real substance! Their salesplan is another pyramid scheme..of which I personally would have not one part in.

I noticed in the "2 cycle oil's" they sell...passed all the TC-W3 testing...but NO WHERE does it say thats its "BIA certified"..!! etc..etc..etc.

The "fact" that they have been around since 1922 doesnt give me any warm and fuzzy feeling...because so has Ford!!!

Ok, where to start? What is this pyramid salesplan you speak of?

"Lots of inuendo's of what they make..how good it is...yadda yadda yaddo..and no real substance!" Ok, what real substance would you like to know? The ASTM test results are there for you to view along with all the other test standards that they meet. Looks prety straight forward to me. No 20 page flashy ad's with alot of superfluous info telling you your equipment will last until the end of time.

"I noticed in the "2 cycle oil's" they sell...passed all the TC-W3 testing...but NO WHERE does it say thats its "BIA certified"..!! etc..etc..etc." No way to disagree with you here other than to say we no longer make it. Stopped selling it a month or so ago. They seem to not have removed it from the corporate website yet. It was removed from the sales line because it is not really a industrial/commercial lubricant and that is the core business.

"The "fact" that they have been around since 1922 doesnt give me any warm and fuzzy feeling...because so has Ford!!!" Hey now, what's wrong with Ford? Been driving my 1977 F250 for years and it's still running strong.

Edited to add: For what it's worth Amsoil makes a excellent lubricants line. They may have a flashy in your face advertisement style but as long as the product is high quality who cares.

 

[Sully2]

Ok, where to start? What is this pyramid salesplan you speak of?
......
Edited to add: For what it's worth Amsoil makes a excellent lubricants line. They may have a flashy in your face advertisement style but as long as the product is high quality who cares.

Well..if ya dont know what a pyramid salesplan is...I dont know if I'm the one to try and explain it to you...and as Ive stated before here..Amsoil and this product MAY BE...but who knows?? Its not like I see any large displays of their ( either) products...not like its available ANYWHERE so that at least the retailer MIGHT be able to give me info on it...its sold from "A" to "B &C"..that resells it to "D & E & F & G"..etc..and the poor sap at the bottom of the food chain ( sales chain) pays every person some $$$ ..in essence.

Why would I use a 2 cycle outboard oil ..that WASNT "BIA" cerrtified???...why would I use an engine oil that wasnt API certified?? Far...FAR!! too many top quailty products on the market that ARE

Internet "mumbo jumbo" dont hack it with me when MAYBE a $5,000 to $30,000 engine might be on the line..( not of MY money at least)

 

[DieselPower]

So you consider not being able to buy from anyone but the manufacturer a pyramid salesplan? It is available anywhere, you just call/fax/email, place your order and it's delivered to your door, no middle man. TRC is a industrial/commercial lubricants manufacturer is the main reason you don't see them in stores. The majority of sales go to companies that buy by the tanker truck load. TRC likes to sell face to face with direct contact with the company. This way you don't have people in a store (who in general don't know squat about lubricants to start with) trying to sell something they know nothing about. You deal directly with the company.

"Why would I use a 2 cycle outboard oil ..that WASNT "BIA" cerrtified???...why would I use an engine oil that wasnt API certified?? Far...FAR!! too many top quailty products on the market that ARE" Like I said, we no longer make marine 2 cycle oil. And ALL of our engine oils are API licensed. In fact, when the CJ-4 spec came out, TRC was one of the first 12 oil manufacturers to have a CJ-4 license.

"Internet "mumbo jumbo" dont hack it with me when MAYBE a $5,000 to $30,000 engine might be on the line..( not of MY money at least)" I couldn't agree more. That's why TRC wants only to sell with direct contact with the consumer. They can answer all of your questions and provide any information you need, all you need do is ask. The information available online is there only as a general guideline and to give a basic description of the products.

 

[kenmac]

DieselPower, The folkes you buy your power ( to run your house, business etc, from) is a pyramid sales plan cause most people have to buy from the power co. or a distributer.Are the major oil companies a pyramid sales plan ? I can't call penzoil oil co.or other major oil companies & tell them to send me a case of oil, I have to go to the store to purchase it .I can call Amsoil oil co. & order any oil I want & they will ship to my door .Diesel Power, can you please tell me how Amsoil is a pyramid program ?

 

[Sully2]

DieselPower, The folkes you buy your power ( to run your house, business etc, from) is a pyramid sales plan cause most people have to buy from the power co. or a distributer.

Thats strange? I buy mine DIRECTLY from Duke energy...aint no middle man invoved with my electric system

Are the major oil companies a pyramid sales plan ? I can't call penzoil oil co.or other major oil companies & tell them to send me a case of oil, I have to go to the store to purchase it

Certainly..because the MAJOR oil companys DONT RETAIL. I cant call Kabota DIRECT and buy a tractor either! And if you cant find the product you seek at a "store"...then I suggest you start shopping at a better quality store..or at least a store that sells the TYPE of product you wish to purchase. ( Ya know..once in a while when your at the .....store..you MIGHT just see something ELSE you really need??

I can call Amsoil oil co. & order any oil I want & they will ship to my door .Diesel Power, can you please tell me how Amsoil is a pyramid program ?

If you dont understand what pyramid sales or even pyramid "schemes" are..I suggest that you search AMWAY ( not Amsoil) and see how their sales setup is.

But this has NOTHING to do with the subject thread anyway...its just that someone feels their "Ox got gored". None of these oil companys are putting meat on my table so I have no bias one way or another...just give me a CERTIFIED product that I can DIRECTLY compare with others

 

[Superduper]

I never thought to check the differential oil. I hope that when I took it to the dealership for an oil change/service that they check it. If not then they are going to be fixing that problem if the rear end goes out. I have a 100,000 mile warranty and I dont mind useing it.

I don't know if it's normal for the differential fluid to ship low but if it is low, it is very important to keep it topped off. If you have a duramax, then I presume that your truck is at least a 3/4 ton, maybe 1 ton truck in which case your axle has a "full floating" type axle, which relies on differential fluid for it's lubrication. If you can picture the shape of the differential, the fluid needs to flow down the axle tubes to lubricate the bearings which are at the ends (at the rotors/drums). If the fluid is low, the level will not be high enough to flow down the axle tube and lubricate these bearings and they will be the first to suffer.

 

[john_bud]

This is no problem. It is a federal crime to refuse warrenty coverage as long as the lubricant used meets the manufacturers spec. It's called the Magnus Moss Warrenty Act (US Code - Title 15, Chapter 50, Sections 2301-2312).

As far as the original question goes. The majority of break in wear happens within the first couple of miles of operation. You should be fine switching to synthetic anytime after say 100 miles or a couple of hours. Rotella synthetic is used by many people and would be a fine choice. There are numerous lube manufacturers to pick from. Just pick one with a good reputation (which Rotella has) and stick with it.

If you go with the "king", you should know that the MM Act won't save your bacon. They don't have it tested and certified by API. Check the bottle. No API starburt with the CJ or any other oil classification. Oh sure, lots of mumbo jumbo smoke and mirrors, "good for applications that call for CJ" -- yadda yadda, but it ain't CJ certified.

I guess that the oil is too good to pass the test? Amsoil is too poor to pay for the test? To arrogant? I've heard all of those and others. Fact of the matter, I have not seen the API certification on it -> it ain't API certified.

Maybe I'm wrong. Times change, products improve. I'm originally from Missouri, Show me the API seal.

jb

 

[DieselPower]

Diesel Power, can you please tell me how Amsoil is a pyramid program ?

I don't know, I never said that.

If you go with the "king", you should know that the MM Act won't save your bacon. They don't have it tested and certified by API. Check the bottle. No API starburt with the CJ or any other oil classification. Oh sure, lots of mumbo jumbo smoke and mirrors, "good for applications that call for CJ" -- yadda yadda, but it ain't CJ certified.

Actually Amsoil does have API licensed oils. No they currently do not have a CJ-4 licensed oil but from what I have read they do plan to release one soon. You can view Amsoil's API license's here at the API license directory. http://eolcs.api.org/DisplayLicenseInfo.asp?LicenseNo=0995 and their API license number is 0995.