Has anyone successfully switched to low-weight synthetic on a high mileage engine?

What sold me on the full synthetic rotella was when I started to use it in my skidder. Yes, cranked better, and had pressure 5 to 7 seconds earlier. We are talking about stupid cold mornings.

 

Is this room temp ? How often is your engine oil 70 degrees F ?

Look, I'm not articulating myself too well. Concerning viscosity only. We know if we run 15w 40 we can get a million miles or more out of an engine before overhaul, proven. We know it will start, blockheaters, etc... the correct precautions.

I'm just saying, do you really want your engine to be the guinea pig here ? How much do you have to gain vs. lose ?

When everybody running 5w 30 starts getting 2 million miles without an overhaul and documented 0.5 mpg gains I'll be jumping on the bandwagon, sure. Right now it's hypothetical and mostly anecdotal evidence. I know what kind of results to expect with 15w40, I can work with that. If you want to donate your engine as a test dummy go for it. Let me know in 500,000 miles.

 

When you get out on the bleeding edge, it's usually your blood that is all over the floor.

I tend to believe that I'm not smarter than the building full of engineers employed by Detroit and Caterpillar. The scientists working for the aftermarket vendors may come close to that, definitely more than people doing Youtube lab tests in their kitchens. Truth is, none of those groups will be standing with me at the service counter when I need to write that 5 digit check for an inframe. Considering who's reputation is at stake, I favor the manufacturer's advice over the others.

 

Come on, Danny. You can't be that ridiculous. The oil was stored at -15F and then brought out into a room and poured. I realize you don't buy into what is being discussed, but you are not helping your case any.

There are a couple of fleets, Jeff Foster Trucking comes to mind, that have been running a 5w30 in their semi truck engines for a long time. More than just a few years. I just checked... since at least 1996. I have never heard of any problems and they have racked upped some serious miles to show if it would be an issue. There are several fleets that have completely moved over to a 10w30 and I have not heard of any problems with it. Sure, time will tell. But there has not been any substantive oil related failures cropping up regarding using the XXw30 oils. I am not sure I would move a 750,000 mile engine, that has been on 15w40, over to a 30 oil, but a relatively new engine would be a prime candidate for making the move.

Here is a vid of an R.E. West truck DD15 engine at 500,000 miles, doing 70,0000 mile oil changes, on Delo 400LE 10w30. Danny, here is some of what you wanting to know..... That is, if you truly want to know.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXRlOlPufQM

Cummins ISX teardown, 450,000 miles on the engine, 45,000 mile oil changes, On Delo 10w30 also.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH4G7qYBod8

 

Here's the thing you guys miss when arguing about 15W40 mineral vs 5W30 synthetic. It was mentioned in the link I posted up there^. The mineral oils are 15W base, with viscosity improvers to thicken it at operating temps, the synthetics are a 30W base oil. They both meet the viscosity standards at 104, 212, and 302 degrees. But counterintuitively, the synthetic is still thinner at low temps even though it uses a thicker base stock. To quote Bob:

So the oils offer equivalent protection at operating temps, and the synthetic is far superior during cold starts, when significant amount of engine wear happens.

 

Company I use to work for switched to a full synthetic after running a blend for years when most of the trucks had around 350 - 400k on them. 07 internationals with isx cummins and a few c 13 cats had one cummims develope a severe oil leak but was leaking oil from the pan gasket before the switch. Also had one of the cats start acting like an ol 318 Detroit drinking oil as fast as you could put it in, think that was from the idiot behind the wheel couldn't drive it right. This was going from a 15w40 blend from Mobil to what was a new Mobil delvac full synthetic 5w30. No real mileage gains where noticed but cold weather starting was vastly improved. That's my experience I don't think the oil was worth the 20 a gallon they where paying for it and as most fleets do they extended the oil drain intervals and they lasted another 300k without blowing up. Just another reason to avoid fleet trucks I guess

 

hey cowpie good info I think id like to try schaeffers in my cat but unless im missing somthin on their site I cant find any synthetic blend or otherwise for under 20 bucks and no mention of free sampling or delivery I found a number for a distributor 40 miles away when I call should I just ask for 15/40 synthetic blend?

 

harley, the prices are NOT mentioned on the site, except for some online ordering limited product. You want to get thru a rep to get the best pricing, free shipping, free oil sample kits (based on amount ordered), and such. This is not the Amsoil or other type of thing with Schaeffer. For commercial use, which is who they primarily cater to, their pricing is competitive with anything on a wally world shelf. And when you factor the free shipping and free extras, it is cheaper.

The 15w40 blend is the Schaeffer 700 15w40. Just ask for that. To get your best value, you want to get a 30 gallon drum minimum. I get mine in a 55. But gallon jugs in cases are available, just not as good of value as the drums. The rep will set up your account and have the product shipped to you direct. You want to demand commercial wholesale pricing. If the rep is worth his salt, he will set this up without you even asking. Just make sure it is.

Any rep can set you up and have product sent. I know my rep, I have dealt with him for quite a while. This is first rate guy who will do you right. Try the other rep if you like, or you can use mine. Make sure you tell him Cliff in Kellogg sent you and you will get the same deals I get.

Schaeffers entire product line.....

http://www.schaefferoil.com/msds-technical-data-sheets.html

The Schaeffer 15w40 blend data sheet.....

http://www.schaefferoil.com/documents/222-700-td.pdf

my rep, Dan Dykema. His profile page at Schaeffer shows he does Iowa, but I know he does customers in other states as well.

http://www.schaefferoilreps.com/dandykema/