Using a synthetic engine oil?

[shooterdon]

Just bought a JD 855 made in 1988. I was wondering if a synthetic oil is a good idea or should I stay with an oil for deisel engines?

I live in northern Michigan where temperatures can swing between -35 and 100. 哲ormal temperatures that I would be using the machine are 15-85. I was thinking about using 0W40....any thoughts?

 

[LouNY]

for year round use I'd use Rotella T6 5w-40, it is a synthetic;
other wise a good quality 15-40 diesel rated oil.

 

[big bubba]

2nd above suggestion. use it in everything 4 stroke
given your location, would choose T6 5/40 for the cold starts alone.
in 30 degree weather i once changed engine oil on tractor (rotella 15/40) pouring in the very sluggish new oil (same) i promised myself synthetic is the way to go. esp in your climate

 

[JerryK]

I live just N/W of you, west of Vanderbilt. I use normal dino 15W40 [ Delo or Rotella from the Wally ] in all my diesels, but I also park all my stuff inside. I did a quick look, and I think your 855 is direct injected... and should start fairly easy. A lot of the indirect injected motors need a cycle on the glow plugs and a little cranking to make them fire even in the warm months. If you are going to park it outside in the elements, you might want to go synthetic. But parked somewhere inside you probably DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE it... Which means it's still up to you. Enjoy...!!!

 

[shooterdon]

I live just N/W of you, west of Vanderbilt. I use normal dino 15W40 [ Delo or Rotella from the Wally ] in all my diesels, but I also park all my stuff inside. I did a quick look, and I think your 855 is direct injected... and should start fairly easy. A lot of the indirect injected motors need a cycle on the glow plugs and a little cranking to make them fire even in the warm months. If you are going to park it outside in the elements, you might want to go synthetic. But parked somewhere inside you probably DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE it... Which means it's still up to you. Enjoy...!!!

Hello neighbor!! Thanks for the advice!

It will be stored indoors.

 

[RalphVa]

Rotella is a good oil but not a full synthetic. It's group III hydrotreated.

Ralph

 

[RalphVa]

I use 5w30 diesel oil in both my tractor and diesel generator. Can only get it at the local VW dealership. You might price it there. May be less expensive than Rotella. They're both hydrotreated "synthetic" group III oils.

You can get a M1 5w30 ESP at Pep Boys, otherwise online, but it's more expensive than the Castrol. It's full synthetic group IV oil.

Ralph

 

[WhiteRam]

Valvoline Premium Blue extreme 5W40 is another good synthetic oil - available at TSC stores. Slso approved by Cummins, so you know its top quality.

 

[big bubba]

Valvoline Premium Blue extreme 5W40 is another good synthetic oil - available at TSC stores. Slso approved by Cummins, so you know its top quality.

what is the price out your way for your oil described above?
T6 @ wal is around $22, o'reilly wants $29, quite a difference.

 

[atsah]

I swear by Mobil 1 5-40 full synthetic for the temps we have here in Maine BUT, if I bought a 20-30 year old tractor I would not use it unless I knew it was used for the life of the tractor, I would stick with a good quality 15-40 oil, use a block heater and make sure my glow plug circuit was robust.. It's my opinion that older more worn machines that were built when conventional oil was what they were designed to use should probably stick to the oil grade of the time.

There is debate after debate on this, this is just what I would do..

 

[kthompson]

More than just easier starting. It is easier to start for it is easier to turn over meaning lower friction level. That should also mean lower fuel use and lower temp due to lower friction. Do not keep records on tractors like I do vehicles but know when I went to synthetic in mine knew how much mileage went up in each one. I really became fan of synthetic when I changed my oil and found how much slicker it was over the dino oil (handling the old oil covered filter). When in my pickup the mpg went up just shy of 1 mpg knew it was a good thing.

 

[mguitas]

Amsoil is also a good oil , 5w-40 I use.

 

[Ritothebull]

I have a 69 Massey 165 and I've been running synthetic diesel oil in it since I got it in 04. I use synthetic in everything and go 2 to 3 times longer than the average oil change interval of conventional oil.

 

[big bubba]

I have a 69 Massey 165 and I've been running synthetic diesel oil in it since I got it in 04. I use synthetic in everything and go 2 to 3 times longer than the average oil change interval of conventional oil.

always admired the Massey 165, having owned the Massey TO35 for 28 yrs. glad to see machines like that still in use
a wise choice on oil

 

[dodge man]

The only reason not to use it is if your oils consumtion goes up a lot. It will either burn easier or leak easier. I’ve seen it happen in cars.

 

[crazyal]

The only reason not to use it is if your oils consumtion goes up a lot. It will either burn easier or leak easier. I’ve seen it happen in cars.

I second this. For the small extra cost compared to what the tractor costs it really doesn't make much sense saving $20 on an oil change. Diesels are hard on oil to begin with so why not start out with something that's better? It's not like your engine will blow up if you don't use synthetic but if you can slow the normal wear down some why not.

 

[RustyA]

Always used Rotella T6 in my John Deere 1070 it's whole life and changed every fall. Started great at -10F without using block heater. Never used oil between changes. Feel free to use T6 in any gas engine without catalytic converter. Diesel oils don't meet new specs for prolonged cat life for gas autos.

 

[aczlan]

for year round use I'd use Rotella T6 5w-40, it is a synthetic;
other wise a good quality 15-40 diesel rated oil.

That is what we use in everything 4 stroke ( cars, tractors, etc).

Aaron Z

 

[buickanddeere]

Good Grief . Yet another question about 努hat is the best oil?

 

[Texasmark]

Good Grief . Yet another question about 努hat is the best oil?

Well when you look at the length of the oil shelves at wallyworld, obviously there are some questions. Nice the "snake oil" section is significantly smaller.....grin.....sorry BD, just couldn't help it.