Recently I changed the oil in my 2500 CTD at 10K. Lately I have noticed that when the engine is in park you can really smell the oil fumes and when driving, it seems that the engine "rumbles" a little luoder than before. I used the Rotella 15W40 in it, so I am wondering if the "rumble" is simply due to the possibility of it being a lighter weight than what the dealer had in it? Before, when I would put my foot in it, the truck would puff a bit of black smoke out, now since the oil change, I don't get any smoke out. Are all of these occurances common with Rotella oil, or is something else going on that I should be greatly concerned about? Thanx....Jamie

 

Ahhhhh, "Rosmella" strikes again . Rotella has gained quite a stinky reputation and I personally have seen it do the same in my truck. Before doing some research, I THOUGHT Dodge was delivering new trucks with Valvoline Premium Blue in the crankcase, but they don't. The O.E. oil is a Daimler Chrysler oil that is put in at the factory which I really don't think is up to par. I ran the Rotella but recently switched to the 15W40 Premium Blue at my last oil change and can say that it made a believer out of me. It doesn't have the really heavy oil smell that the Rotella is famous for but what really sold me is that for the first time my oil isn't getting all dark and dirty right away and it was the best thing to pull the dipstick after running 2500 miles and still see clean oil. At one point, before switching oils, I was under the impression that my oil was always going to be dirty because it was a diesel engine. Now I realize that we can do something about it. I also noticed that starts on cold mornings aren't as rough with the Premium Blue as they were with the Rotella. Also, I must point out that this is with the 15W40 weight and NOT the synthetic 5W. The Cummins people don't recommend the synthetic unless you're in very cold climates cause it doesn't hold up in warmer areas. From what I've read, Cummins did a barrage of testing in the ISB's (our engine) before they put their reputation on the line and endorsed it and more recently, it's been tested in the ISX engines at intervals up to 65,000 miles. And, with a price of $10 bucks or so a gallon at the local Cummins shop, I think it's definitely something my engine will see a lot more of. Just seeing the difference, makes me wish I would have tried it sooner. Just my $.02

 

Chrysler doesnt put any oil into the engine from the factory.

Cummins does. Cummins ships the engines oiled.

Filled with Valvoline Premium Blue 15w40.

Rotella is a thicker oil even though it is rated the same weight and also has a heavy additive package.
Oil getting dirty in a diesel means it is doing its job and well.

 

i dont see where people are getting the rotella smell. Unless you drip some on your block trying to pour it in. I have been using rotella for 22k miles and dont smell it at all. I have noticed on cold days (50 deg here in the south) that my truck runs a little rougher in the morns, but if i ever get to operating temp it runs just find. I have a 8 mile commute to work and my truck never gets to operating temp. only days i drive around town and make trips i get to operating temp.

 

I had the same issue running Rosmella. Switched over to Chevron Delo 400 and no more stink!

MikeyB

 

I dunno man, but I didnt spare a drop when I changed mine....I mean no oil anywhere, and my first drive nearly gagged me

 

Rottela. The oil smells the first 200-500 miles. I guess the oil mist that comes out the breather really smells. If you are stoped it can get sucked in through the vents. If your driving no smell. I change my oil every 5,000 and I get 500 miles in 2 weeks, and I normally don't smell it. Had a lot of luck with that oil in my dad's cummins so it's what I went too. I was thinking of going to a different oil, but I'd rather stay with Dino and change every 5, rather than go synthetic and change ever 10. Figure more is gonna get the soot and fuel out sooner anyway. (If there is any)

 

Thats what I'm saying. I am very particular about my truck (I probably baby it more than my motorcycles) and I still have the oil smell. I did notice the way it ran bad in the cold mornings as opposed to the way it use to run when I first got it. I will def be switching to another oil. Is there a Cummins store online that I can get oil and filters from, cause we don't have a store like that here in Jackson, MS (but we have plenty of rim shops, and car audio places )

 

Advanced auto parts sells valvoline premium blue, and its 7.97 a gallon too. Might check them out, I believe they go by checkers as well.

Jason

 

Thanx Jason, will do. I will change the oil 2nite, we are leaving for Flordia in the am....after the windows get retinted.