Oil question

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by LAD_Mavric, Feb 18, 2008.

  1. LAD_Mavric

    LAD_Mavric Light Load Member

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    6
    Feb 3, 2007
    Midland, ON
    0
    Ok I imagine that this will be a debateable issue just as it is for cars... but is it worth while to run synthetic oil in a truck motor or is it going to be just as good to use the regular stuff?
     
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  3. northern flight

    northern flight Bobtail Member

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    May 11, 2007
    Canada
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    What i used is regular EssoLube HD 15W40 AND ROTELLA T without any problems in the CAT but if you dont leak any oil or burn oil what i would do is talk to your dealer whats best for your motor.Thats just ME covering my butt ok.Its more money for the synthetic and its good oil but maybe some drivers would chime in for some more advise good luck
     
  4. Burky

    Burky Road Train Member

    There are aftermarket filtration systems that can be added to a truck, like the FS-2500 and the Gold Coast filter, that are used to extend the life of the oil. If they are installed, the oil can be changed only once a year or so, depending on how the oil reads when the oil samples are analyzed. If used with an aftermarket extended life filter system, the synthetic oils pencil out okay. If you are going to use a sysnthetic oil on the regular oil change schedule, the numbers don't work well because of the higher cost of the synthetic oil in the 12+ gallon quantities needed for an oil change.

    There are a lot of advantages to a good synthetic oil, but cost is not one of them. They have a much better resistance to breakdown from heat, lubricate better in poor conditions, flow better at cold temps and don't tend to be as sensitive to engine temps during extended idling, which leads to ash problems with normal mineral based oils.

    If you spend the money on the extra filtration, then synthetic make a lot of sense. Most trucks use synthetics in the trans and rear ends due to the long change intervals, and if steps are taken to filter out carbon and deposits from engine oils, they can make a great choice for an engine as well.
     
  5. Lilbit

    Lilbit Road Train Member

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    12,233
    Aug 4, 2008
    Let me check my logbook
    0
    If your truck has been switched to synthetic, watch your oil filter after the change over. The company my hubby drives for recently switched his truck over to a synthetic, and his oil filter ended up getting clogged. It cost him a day and a half, and a trip to a cummins service center, as the company couldn't figure out what the problem was. He was dealing with reduced oil pressure and his truck was dogging even on slight upgrades with a feather load.
     
  6. slingblade07

    slingblade07 Light Load Member

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    27
    Sep 3, 2008
    Commerce, GA
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    Yep the synthetic will brake loose the carbon in the engine and clog the filter, so as long as you check that your good, and as said earlier Rotella T is good stuff.
     
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