Synthetic Rotella

buckeye · Aug 19, 2004

Has anyone used the Shell Synthetic Rotella oil? I am nearing the 200 hour mark on my TC-40 and was wondering if it would be a good choice. I can get 15W40 "dino" Rotella and I have used it this spring/summer. I was wondering about the synthetic since it was a 5W30 oil and would be better for me in the cold winter months.

Also, is 200 hours too young an engine to go synthetic with?

slowrev · Aug 19, 2004

Jim,
In this forum synthetic anything is the best /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Just kidding ...well sort of...
200 hours should be well enough broken in to work fine with synthetic. I don't have any direct experience with the Rotella synthetic oil, but from what I hear it should be fine to use. Yes the 5w -X oil should provide better cold weather startup protection.

Boondox · Aug 19, 2004

I switched to synthetic Rotella last year and it did just fine. Good thing, too -- last winter was one of the coldest on record!

Pete

buckeye · Aug 20, 2004

Thanks! Looks like I'll try it out soon.

DiskDoctr · Aug 21, 2004

Jim,

Is you search this forum, you'll find a number of posts that talk about it being good stuff and hard to find, but well priced, at Wal-Mart.

I got some about 2 weeks ago for $12.84/gal

Buy it when you can find it...

-JC

rswyan · Sep 18, 2004

( 200 hours should be well enough broken in to work fine with synthetic. )

I'm about to do the 100 hour service on my B2910 (maybe today) and went over to the wallymart yesterday afternoon to pickup some oil and I ended up picking the synthetic Rotella T - any issue with using it on an engine with this little hours ? Should I wait longer ?

I used the Kubota 15W-40 at the 50 hour service.

sneaky_pete · Sep 18, 2004

( ( 200 hours should be well enough broken in to work fine with synthetic. )

I'm about to do the 100 hour service on my B2910 (maybe today) and went over to the wallymart yesterday afternoon to pickup some oil and I ended up picking the synthetic Rotella T - any issue with using it on an engine with this little hours ? Should I wait longer ?

I used the Kubota 15W-40 at the 50 hour service. )

For what it's worth, there are several cars shipped from the factory with full synthetic in the crankcase, including the Corvette. The worst that could happen is that your rings might take a little longer to seat. This would be offset by the superior flow characteristics at start-up and the heat resistance of synthetic oils.

I'm totally sold on synthetic oil. I've personally rebuilt many engines (mostly air-cooled motorcycle but some Toyota and GM also) and the difference in wear is readily apparent between conventional and synthetic oil. I use Mobil 1 full synthetic in every crankcase I own because it is available anywhere, reasonably priced (for synthetic), and frequently on sale. I use it from the first oil change on.

There is a lot of BS all over the internet about bearings spinning because it's too slick and etc. I speak only from my personal experience and observations; Your Mileage May Vary.

Pete

varmint · Sep 18, 2004

Pete brought up a good point about new cars using synthetic oil from the factory: BMV, Mercedes and Porsche all come with Mobil One- but then, they could have different break-in characteristics than tractor diesels? (though I noticed my wife's new Honda Hybrid calls for its break-in oil for the full first 10,000 miles!) Anyway, there was a lengthy, positive discussion of Rotella oil some months back here in TBN, when Walmart dropped their price to the bargain $12.84. Considering what dino oil is now selling for, how can you go wrong?

slowrev · Sep 18, 2004

First of all I am not bashing Rotella synthetic or any other brand of synthetic oil. Just posing a discussion point.

The consumers perceptions on synthetic oil seems to be if it is synthetic it is great stuff. Is this necessarially true ? Are some synthetics better than others ? Are some no better or worse than premium grade dino oil ?

I am not addressing the break in or leak ,etc issues, just the issue of our perception that if it is synthetic it is great stuff.

I suspect as the manufacture of synthetic oils spread to other companies we will get some trash synthetic oil at some point. All other products seem to have followed this pattern. Just waiting on the first Chinese synthetic oil to gauge the reaction /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Or maybe some of what we now have is made in China ? I just checked on several different bottles of oil in my shop and found some do not say where they were made at all, some say made in USA and one said made from foreign and domestic products.....

banjobj · Sep 18, 2004

I started using Rotella synthetic when Wally World dropped the price. It sure starts easy in the cold Maine Winter. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I have been using synthetics for years in cars , trucks, small engines. I have never had any engine problems except for a Saturn SC 1 ( didn't use synthetic in that one) I have read alot about them and believe that synthetic is the way to go. (my opinion only)