Tmello401

I have a 1996 dodge cummins 12V with 173,000 miles on it, what Oil do you guys run or recommend I run, anyone running Synthenic, or have any advice, Thanks Tom.

Lary Ellis (Top)

I use Delo 400 in my 96 and change it every 6000 miles....

I prefer the Delo over Rosmella for two reasons....1. I hate the smell it makes the first 100 miles or so as it burns off additives...

2. It has 50 degree higher flash point which makes me feel better about shutting down a warm turbo knowing I have a little more leeway before the oil cokes in the bearings.

I don't use synthetic..I think it is a waste unless you do a filter and extended use set up. JMHO

joem

I use the cheapest name brand 15w40 oil possible, normally its Mobile 15w40 that's around $10 a gallon at Wal-Mart and I change it once a year, or every 5K miles. Remember that the 6bt is a million mile engine and synthetic is not needed unless your running it in sub zero conditions.

Dr.Dizzle

I am sure that you are aware of the deal at Costco starting 4/11/13 - 5/5/13 , which offers $7 off of 3/1gal Delo 400 15w40.

rebal

I have run rotella ,now @ 800,000 + miles been happy with it but real any diesel rated 15-40 will work as long as you change it once in a while

infidel

People need to be reminded once in awhile that the 5.9 was originally designed for agricultural equipment exported to third world countries where maintenance, fuel and oil quality is often poor.
My trucks like Delo 400.

Hodge

Rotella dino oil. No synthetic for me- it already leaks enough. If you have any leaks, synthetic will leak more.
Did you just get the truck? Is this your first oil change? Do you know what oil the previous owner used?

joem

I should add some info- Im a huge synthetic person- run it in everything that can spin more than 8,000 RPM- Bikes, quads, Subaru WRX, weed eaters, classic chainsaws but why not my Cummins? My father was one of the first Amsoil dealers in 1978 (then it was AMZOIL but Pennzoil threw a fit) and my father flew F100's with AL.... its a great oil but Never put synthetic in a older engine that has never had it:
1. It will leak more oil as the seals will harden
2. It can break loose sludge on ultra neglected engines and clog the pick up screen blowing your engine (rare)
3. As Infidel said, these engines just don't need it- My friend has 3 decades of 10 hour day/6 days a week use on his Case IH combine powered by a 6B non turbo.

Tate

ccmckee on here has been doing oil analysis with his Amsoil. Last I heard, he had 63000 km on it and they told him to keep going. I'd be curious what dino oil would hold up.

Sludge in a diesel engine is rare since the oil is designed to suspend the particulates. Synthetic won't make an engine leak any more than it does already. Especially since so many of these trucks come with external lubrication systems already, its hard to notice the difference. 0w40 and 5w40's make the winter time starts much nicer than 15w40. I haven't found a lower viscosity oil up here that isn't at least a blend, if not full synthetic.