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fluid recommendations....

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Old Apr 9, 2003 | 09:43 PM
  #1  
ouchman's Avatar
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fluid recommendations....

First timer here - getting ready to change fluids in my recently purchased '92 Cummins Turbo.<br><br>What do you guys recommend for:<br><br>Motor oil? (Isn't the Shell Rotella at Wal-Mart good?)<br><br>Oil Filter? (How about Wix brand?)<br><br>Auto Trans Fluid?<br><br>Differential oil? With Friction modifier, right?<br><br>Thanks!
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Old Apr 10, 2003 | 08:17 AM
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Re:fluid recommendations....

I hear Rotella stinks pretty badly after the oil change. A lot of people use it, though. I use Delo 400 (also available at Walmart) which is also used by many.<br><br>I buy the Fleetguard Stratapore filters from Genos Garage. They have what they call a 4:2:1 kit of 4 oil filters, 2 fuel filters, and one air filter. You didn't mention fuel filters but you'll need those too.<br><br>I personally like Amsoil 2000 75W-140 synthetic for my gear oil. If you have limited slip you'll need it if you don't use synthetic oil and I'd recommend using it even with synthetic oil (some of which claim you don't need it). I can't make any personal claims to Amsoil being better than other synthetics; I haven't tried any others or done any empirical testing of my own. I would go with a synthetic over a regular gear oil, though.<br><br>I use Amsoil universal ATF for the automatic and transfer case in my Durango. Again, I can't make any claims to it being better than any other synthetics.<br><br>In general, oil selection (especially synthetic brands) seems to be a personal preference. You'll get a lot of opinions.
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Old Apr 10, 2003 | 08:38 AM
  #3  
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From: Flat Rock, MI
Re:fluid recommendations....

Rotella is good. I use Delo. Alot of people use Amsoil.<br><br>Personally I use Baldwin filters, most will argue you should only use fleetguards. <br><br>Tranny - I am switching to Amsoil Universal ATF, but currently running ATF+3 (it's what MassDiesel put in after the DTT upgrade)<br><br>I run Royal Purple 85W-140 in both diffs... no friction modifier needed. Again, Amsoil is a great choice - as well as - valvoline, mobil 1, etc...<br><br>Choose whichever makes you feel comfortable...<br><br>Tony<br><br>
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Old Apr 10, 2003 | 05:06 PM
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Re:fluid recommendations....

Rotella is poplular. I've noticed at Wal-mart, Delo 400 costs less, and Mobil Delvac 1300 Super is even less than Rotella. All good dino diesel oils. If you want to spend $$$ you can use synthetic in the crankcase. <br><br>Wix makes a good filter, I think NAPA gold filters are made by them.<br><br>I'd recommend synthetic in the drivetrain. A few top line synthetic manufacturer's are Red Line, Amsoil, Royal Purple, and Mobil 1. Of these, Mobil 1 products are the easiest to obtain, readily available at many retail locations.<br><br>A top line synthetic usually doesn't require external friction modifiers for limited slip performance, as it's base oil already contain esters, which is a friction modifier. Some people have had to add external FM to synthetics to stop chatter. It could be they were using one of the &quot;synthetic blends&quot; on the market. External FMs will stop noise, but may sacrifice performance. Too much FM will make it act like an open differential.<br><br>Welcome to the site and good luck!
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Old Apr 11, 2003 | 11:23 AM
  #5  
Lary Ellis (Top)'s Avatar
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Re:fluid recommendations....

I used to use the Rotella myself, seemed like a really good oil, however I heard the Delo had a little higher flash point so it won't coke in the turbo quite as quickly. Maybe only a 50F degree difference but in my opinion that could mean a lot on quick shutdown.<br><br> I use my gauge for shutdown but there is no guarantee the wifey will : I haven't gotten an oil anylysis done on the Delo yet, but at next change I will. I think if you use any of the top brands of oil you are probably ok.<br><br> I also use Wix filters, they are high quality and easy for me to obtain here locally.
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Old Apr 11, 2003 | 11:57 AM
  #6  
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From: outside Raleigh, NC
Re:fluid recommendations....

I use Fleetguard oil and fuel but there is a Cummins supplier on my way home (it's a Ford medium and heavy duty shop but they have everything Cummins available).<br><br>Make sure you use only the diesel-rated oil in the motor (currently SH-4, if I remember correctly). It has additives to keep from sludging up due to the soot generated by our engines that gets into the oil and keeps the sulfates from the soot from combining with water and causing nastiness internally.<br><br>Keep an eye on the condition of the fluids and change it regularly - maintenance is the key to these trrucks long life span.
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Old Apr 17, 2003 | 10:32 AM
  #7  
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From: Toronto, ON
Re:fluid recommendations....

I've used Shell Super C oil. Haven't had any problems, plus it doesn't smell.
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Old Apr 17, 2003 | 12:37 PM
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Re:fluid recommendations....

I use Rotella &amp; Wix 51607, smells like regular oil to me ???
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Old Apr 17, 2003 | 05:52 PM
  #9  
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Re:fluid recommendations....

I run Delo 400 right now but I may try Rotella on Mon. I haven't changed any other fluids (I've only got 32,000). I plan to change that on Mon. I'm probably going to go with Pennzoil in the rear diff since it is cheaper than the synthetic and easier for me to get. The Pennzoil said it is a synthetic.
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Old Apr 17, 2003 | 06:29 PM
  #10  
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From: lancaster,pa
Re:fluid recommendations....

104,000 miles on shell rotella and going strong
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