Engine Oils

I used to be a firm believer in Rotella, but in the recent past saw oil consumption with it that I did not have after switching to Delvac. I have remained with Delvac since. Prior to that change, I'm guessing late '90's, Rotella really smelled funny for the first few thousand miles after a change. I contacted their customer service and got run around. I thought it was me, or my engine, but met other drivers that noticed the same thing. They had changed something in the formula that was burning off, but switched back within a year. That was the first strike for me with them, and after having better luck with Delvac, I stayed with them.

 

I noticed the same thing with Rotella in my 3406E. Switched to Delvac and no more smell.

 

Smelltella always has that smell the first few hundred miles. I always thought it smelled like a maintained truck.

 

Anyone run synthetic oil? IMO you would only want it in a cold start environment. Say 10' F mornings.

 

i agree with often oil changes. on my 60 series i had less viscosity breakdown on delvac than i did on rotlla conventional. on my mack iv been running the t-9 5-40 syn and all is well as it is what the previous owner ran in the truck. im not sure how long ill keep running that oil because it is rather expensive but the truck cold starts better than i ever would have imagined even at sub 0 not plugged in. i have a few oil changes worth of it on the shelf when i might consider a change in brand once i use that oil up.

 

Don't switch or mix oils brands.

 

I think that is a myth. I know people who routinely use whatever oil is the cheapest to no ill effect. I think it is like gasoline and diesel fuel. It's all the same stuff from the same refineries with a few minor variations of additives.

 

There's a study available online that compares the lubrication properties of additives. Esp with ulsd this is an important consideration.

 

Rc, that may be true .. But do you think those that buy whatever brand is on sale that week are the same ones who will keep their truck well maintained and drive it to an ungodly number of miles? I am of the mindset of why change a system that is proving results ... Even if it costs a bit more

 

I just view oil as oil and that's it. After years of Rotella 15W40 I switched over to Napa 15W40. A few years ago I bought 5 gallon buckets Rotella, 30 of them, for right at $50 a bucket. When that ran out the cheapest Rotella I could find was $65 a bucket. Napa was on sale for $50 a bucket so I bought a dozen 5 gallon buckets of that. When it's gone whoever has $50 buckets is what I will buy. Oil consumption remained the same on my motor and oil samples are good. You're not going to hurt one switching brands. My brother had a little '95 Mazda pickup he bought brand new and put over 300,000 miles on using every oil known to man. That pickup was used and abused but the motor just kept on ticking. Change it often and they will last regardless what oil you choose.