Synthetic oil - roughly the same

[r0GuE]

Poor horse... dead all this time and I'm still beating it! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Thanks for the help getting the WIX # for my BX2200 oil filter. There are better than WIX perhaps, and there certainly are worse. I ordered 2. WIX is relatively easy for me to get around here...

Now for the oil. I've heard Rotella, Amsoil and Mobil 1 thrown into the arena. I suspect that Rotella will be the easiest to find since someone told me I could get it at Wal-Mart.

I certainly am open to spending more for something better, but I need to know why first. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif A few direct questions. These questions are based on the three oils mentioned above, but feel free to throw in another brand if you like.

1. Are all three of the synthetics mentioned above better than any/all dino oils?

2. Can those three oils be rated good, better, best?

3. Is there a rating (or ratings) that I absolutely MUST have for my BX2200?

Thanks for the info! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[DmansPadge]

About all I can tell you is that a good friend of mine used to work at a shop that builds high performance engines and had a dyno. BTW, we are talking about 400+ hp gas engines. A synthetic oil would give the engines about a 5-7 hp boost.

As for which ones are better... I don't know. I've heard great things about Mobil 1 and Rotella, but don't know much about Amsoil.

Ohhh yeah... I am a firm believer in WIX filters. I use them on all of my equipment. Back some time ago I saw some stats on major filter brands and WIX was right at the top and FRAM was dead last.

 

[SeymourBota]

you need gsxr1100 to chime in here- he is the oil guru!!

I have never used Rotella. I have used Mobil 1 and more recently Amsoil. Amsoil hits you with plenty of tests to show their product is superior, but, of course, that's what you would expect them to do. I will tell you that I am impressed with their entire line of lubricants. Their gear lube erased a notchiness in shifting I had in my summer car.
I am not an Amsoil dealer but I will testify that you cannot find a better, readily available line of lubricants.

 

[Dargo]

Nope, not all synthetic oil is the same. To avoid a war, just do some research based upon actual lab tests and decide for yourself. There are different groups of oils, based upon their performance in tests. It's up to you to decide what is "good enough". Personally, I think using the best oil available is rather cheap insurance to guard against mechanical failures. Others will disagree, but that is fine. As long as I am the one that would have to pay for the repair, whether it is a transmission, engine, or gear box, I want all the help I can get. Mr. Murphy always seems to follow me around if I let him. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[MrGreene]

That Hoosier commonsense is certainly showing in that post /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

MrGreene

Beer is the cornerstone of mankind

 

[gsxr1100]

Well I do thank SeymourBota as me being called a “guru” but I am far from it. Just a lot of time at work that I read about this stuff. I love working military jobs!

The 3-oils mentioned are good oils but it depends on what you want to do with them. What is important? Do you want a good “base” oil or additive package.

Next, is anything from a group 3 up can be called a synthetic here. I think Mobil is a 4 and Amsoil and Redline are a 4 and 5. That is the simple simple version. I do not want to bring in esters, POA, blah blah. So take that for what it is worth. Next I take the API rating and throw that out. That is a rating that is good but limits some wonderful things in oils. Like Zinc for one. And Calcium or Phosphorus are some others.

I can’t say that Amsoil is better then Redline or Mobil if you are easy on your oil. If you run these oils at very soon intervals you will see very little difference. If you run the engine hard you will like the higher numbers and TBN from Amsoil and Redline.These higher numbers are better for the engine in terms of wear oxidation etc.

Next is take the $$$$ and don’t every bring that into the equation yet. Good stuff is not cheap but you do not want to get ripped off either.

Based on some oil tests of Mobil, me, I, feel it needs improvement in some areas so I would not use it. So that leaves Redline or Amsoil. Then using these I would compare there oil tests. If both were with some small delta, which they are. I would take the lesser in price here.

If using Amosil I would just use there regular 15w-40 HDD&M oil. There 5w-30 looks better but look at the price and what you get for it. A tad more Calcium or Phosphorus? Not for the HUGE increase in price.

There are other oils like Rotella, Delo, Delvac but look at there oil tests and see how it looks to you. If you like less Moly, Calcium, Zinc, Phosphorus,etc, then that is your oil. Not saying they are bad, but I do not like dino oils. I did not buy a 2002 BX to put in 1950's technology..but that is me.

 

[BrettW]

GSXR,
Any thoughts on Rotella T Syntehtic 5W40? It's at Wal Mart for 12/ gal. I use it in my cars last change and it seems a lot better that the dino I was using. Based soley on the sound of the engine. It is rated CH4 also, so I may use it in my B7800 as well.
thanks for the info. brett w

 

[gsxr1100]

Rotella is a group 3 oil, a normal highly hydrocracked dyno oil. If that is your bag, then buy the oil for the $12.XX.

Is it a good oil for the money, sure but there are better oils out there. It also has approx 1.47% ash in oil. I do not like ash in my oil, but that is me. Also it does not pass the SL API code.

Rotella T Synthetic is primarily made from Shell's XHVI base oil (70%). That being stated it is basically the same as Castrol, Valvoline, “Synthetics”.

Shell PDF

 

[BrettW]

thanks, I'll consider a better oil , especailly for my tractor which I can't afford to replace for many years to come. While you are on this thread, know anything about New Holland 15W40? I was told at a Kubota dealership that it was very good oil and they sell it cheaper than the Kubota stuff. Still , non synthetic, thanks, bw

 

[GoodGuy]

gsxr....
apologize if this has been asked before....
what do you use in the lexus & what in the kubota ??
And the real question "why" ??