2ACCS,

I've, also, heard the rumor about not being able to go back to conventional ("regular") oil after using synthetic & my take on that is, this is just, "a rumor"!!!!!

Regarding the CJ-4/CI-4+ controversy, this is the way I understand it.

If you are running a 5.9L Cummins, using LSD (Low Sulphur Diesel, 500 p/m sulphur), you are probably better off using CI-4+. This formulation has more/better additive packages to handle the extra sulphur in the fuel.

The CJ-4 formulation will work but, since it has less additives that can handle the by-products (acids, etc.) created by higher sulphur contents in the fuel, it will have to be changed more often (5000 mile oil change intervals have been recommended, from my reading). Most guys seem to change their oil at about 5000 miles, anyway. The CJ-4 should work fine in those applications. Just not too good for guys that extend their oil drain intervals.

If you are running a 5.9L & use ULSD (Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel, 15 p/m sulphur), the new CJ-4 should work quite well, as I understand.

The new 6.7L engines "require" the CJ-4 & ULSD fuel & should work very well.

In some respects, the new CJ-4 is a strong oil but, the old formulation (CI-4+) worked 'very well' in older engines & LSD. Chevron's Delo-400, 15X40 (CI-4+) was considered by some people to be very robust & was close to synthetics, in quality.

In conclusion, if you have an older engine & are running LSD, extended oil drain intervals are not for you, if you are using CJ-4 oil. Probably not nearly as risky if you are using ULSD. This grade of oil is mandatory if you have a new engine with the DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter).

Joe F.(Buffalo)

 

I hear ya SB, I wouldn't bother searching and stock piling either ... no time for that. The Valvoline Premium Blue is now CF4 which was specifically designed for situations like the non-DPF 5.9 CTD and ULSD ... so I was informed. But whatever, basically I just ike it cuz it has the big "C" on it ... the same reason I use Fleetguard filters. I pay about the same as the Rotella and delivered right to the door.

 

My gosh you guys make it sound like you need to drive around for weeks picking up oil!!! All I do is buy a gallon or two at a time each time I'm at wally world, doesn't take 1 minute extra of my time......

 

I run this oil because it's the oil I'verun in all my past disel trucks.
Is there something wrong with this oil in the CTD? Thanks

 

Soory to all you Rotella guys but, I've been around diesels all my live and alot of people use Rotella even me at one time. I now use Mobil Delvac. It last me 4500 miles and it (here's the kicker) DOES NOT stink! Rotella has this annoying stink to it after you change your oil. Even my Peterbilt at wotk reaks for 2k or so. Delvac doesn't. Just mt 2 cents

 

You guys are a bunch of $%&&*#@ . "Bad smell"! Come on. I've used Rottella 15-40 in all 3 Cummins powered trucks I've owned. I'm not sure how one can say one oil is better than another. Brand wars will never end I guess. Unless of course you are worried about the smell of your oil.....
That just kills me.

 

I ran it for a while and switched to delvac because of the smell. It smells like body odor when you leave your truck running for a while.

 

SHELL baby all the way Rotella T 15w40

 

A number of years ago, I read a letter in the TDR magazine from a couple that towed trailers, for a living, with a '94 or '95 Dodge/Cummins. Since this was a business, for them, they had documented every penny they had spent on the truck & the frequency of maintainance. They "retired" the truck at 1,153,000 miles (without an engine rebuild) & it still worked well enough that they used it as a back-up truck in case any of their two, new, replacement trucks broke down.

They used Shell Rotella & Fleetguard filters & changed oil at 5000 mile intervals. Sounds like a pretty decent oil, to me.

Joe F.(Buffalo)

 

Had a friend of mine tell me that his 10 year old son asked him "DAD what STINKS so bad" after a oil change with Smeltella.But hey the Amsoil 15w40 I use has a stink also.

 

I agree with what Joe posted. I myself have always used the Chevron Delo 400 15w/40 CI/CI4+ since the first oil change. Since I cannot get the Delo 400 15w/40 CI/CI4 + oil anymore or the Delo 400 5w/40 CI/CI4+ I do believe they call it Extreme in the 5w/40 and is considered a synthetic. I have just recently switched over to the Rotella T Synthetic 5w/40 because it is still the API CI/CI4+ formula for now.

I'm planning on running it for 10K miles with a Fleetguard filter change at 5k miles with what little makeup oil I need. I usually average anywhere from 10K to 12K on mileage anyway in which it will be changed out reguardless once a year no matter even if I have not reached the 10K interval which ever comes first. The Delo 15w/40 I always did the 5K interval usually every six months.

I'm probably good for at least couple years on my little stockpile of the Rotella T 5w/40 so who know's in a couple years what they may change to. This dang fuel keeps increasing price wise and our wages don't match to keep up, most of us may not have to worry about it, basic ecomomics.

Tony

 

I was just about to say, am I the only one who still uses Delo 15w40? Delo and Rotella seem like the same stuff to me. I guess it's just preference.

 

Your right I believe one's just about as good as the other, mostly preference. In my area though it seems the Rotella is easier to find, another words I could go to Walmart and there may be 7 or 8 gallon jugs of Delo and about 50 of Rotella T when there done with stocking the shelves. I guess the Rotella is the preferred in my area.

I would probably still be using the Delo if they offered the 5w/40 Extreme CI/CI4+ in my area, but the Rotella T 5w/40 CI/CI4+ is just as good to me.

I just wanted to continue to use a CI/CI4+ oil for my older Cummins engine.

Tony


Tony

 

I have used it since the first oil change.

 

I use whatever is on sale. Right now its synthetic Rotella 5w-40. The next three changes will be with Mobil Delvac 15w-40 as I found it on sale for under $8 a gallon.

I came across a rebate for Mobil Delvac this morning. Its a rebate for $3 a gallon on their 15w-40. Limit is 12 gallons.

I guess I have another four changes after I pick up 12 gallons of Delvac for about $6 a gallon.

Mobildelvac.com for more details.