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Thread: What motor oil do you use and why?

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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Sheridan, Oregon
    Posts
    189

    Default

    I use the Rotella full synthetic. It has quieted the rattle some. I got another 1+ MPG. It's cheap at the Wallies. And I read a report by a independant oil analyzing firm that said that is the best full synthetic on the market for the light duty diesel engine. That it beats the requirements by a long shot. I'd post the report but I have changed computers twice now since I saved it.
    2004 Chevy K3500 CCLB DRW Duramax. Stock.

    1992 Sea Ray 300DA. 30 plus foot Express Cruiser on a trailer. 13,500# boat and trailer and 69' of combined length rolling. Over length/width permitted load.

    SOLD-95 GMC K2500 SLE 6.5L TD, Relocated PMD to bumper #9 res., Custom Lowes special induction tube, Triple gauges on the pillar EGT, Trans, Boost, High Idle Mod, TCC-Lock up Mod, Custom Back up camera, DIY Manual Wastegate Controller, 4" from down tube to 5" stacks, Vac Pump Removed,2007 wheels, WMI by Cooling Mist 8gph @3psi 11gph on demand

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2000
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    365

    Default Shell Rotella Line used here

    The 95 GMC gets Rotella T6 5W-40 synthetic, also running an Amsoil bypass filter. I run 10-12K oil change intervals, but change the PF1218 spin on every 2500 miles and add a quart.


    Have been running RotellaT 15W-40 in the 2005 Dmax and 7500 mile change intervals. EGR disabled since new, oil stays clean, starting to discolor when changed at 7500 miles. Also run with the turbo vanes open during light cruise which also reduces soot in the oil.
    2016 GMC SLT 2500 CC 4x4 Duramax All Terrain 59K
    1995 GMC 2500 EC 4x4 6.5TD,236K,Custom Tuning,HX40W-II turbo,Amsoil Bypass Filter,KD Exhaust,FSD Cooler,KD Headlight booster,Hi-cap Cooling
    TDP member #14

  3. #3

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    Mobil Delvac black jug - 10K intervals
    2011 Chevrolet Tahoe 5.3L daily driver
    • Previous owner of two 1994 6.5L K3500s, '01, '02, and '05 6.6L K2500s, '04 C4500, '06 K3500 dually, '06 K3500 SRW, '09 K3500HD SRW, '05 Denali
    • Total GM diesel miles to date : ~950K

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Brooker, FL
    Posts
    1,217

    Default

    Rotella T 15W40 mineral, 4-5K mile drain interval (8T motorhome loads the engine a lot more than a pickup or Suburban). I was a field engineer with Shell many years ago. I may consider switching to synthetic due to ULSD, but haven't seen a convincing study about the effect of ULSD.
    '94 Barth 28' Breakaway M/H ("StaRV II") diesel pusher: Spartan chassis, aluminum birdcage construction. Peninsular/AMG 6.5L TD (230HP), 18:1, Phazer, non-wastgated turbo, hi-pop injectors, 4L80E (Sun Coast TC & rebuild, M-H Pan), Dana 80 (M-H Cover), Fluidampr, EGT, trans temp, boost gage. Honda EV-4010 gaso genset, furnace, roof air, stove, microwave/convection, 2-dr. 3-way reefer. KVH R5SL Satellite. Cruises 2, sleeps 4, carries 6, and parties 8 (parties 12 - tested).

    Stand-ins are an '02 Cadillac Escalade AWD 6.0L and an '06 Toyota Sienna Limited.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Posts
    359

    Default

    Rotella T6 synthetic.

    5W40.

    Yup, I drank the cool aid:

    http://www-static.shell.com/static/c...rotella_t6.pdf

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2000
    Location
    Loyal WI US
    Posts
    10,794

    Default

    Delvac 1 5w40. My 2005 just sold. It had 8,000 miles on the oil (with bypass filtration) and the oil looked like new on the stick just a bit of darkening. Golden look on the stick. Partly oil, partly filtration and even moreso mild yet strong tuning...

    I've gone 12k on my 2007 with no bypass filtration.

    My 2012 got Delvac 1 at 300 miles before our trip to CO

    All trucks still use the factory breather/PCV system. The 2005 and 2007 will consume about a quart in 5-7k.


    My 2002 uses Cenpeco Racing 20w50 (petroleum) due to the extreme naure of operation of this engine.
    Kennedy Diesel-owner
    More than just a salesman-I use and test the products that I sell on a daily basis!
    Superflow Lie Detector in house
    2002 Chev K2500HD D/A CC Long LT 11.77@ 124mph at 7700# fuel only-e.t. needs help
    2005 Chev K3500SRW D/A CC Long LT(SOLD)
    2007 Chev K2500 Classic EC Short LT (Sold)
    2012 GMC K3500SRW D/A CC Long LTZ Happy Birthday to me! Built 1 working day after my birthday and delivered 7 days later.
    2016 GMC K3500SRW D/A CC short LTZ

    Custom tuning in house using EFI Live tuning software!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2001
    Location
    Aitkin, MN
    Posts
    1,986

    Default

    Rotella 5W-40 synthetic, because I can use it in everything I own except the 2 cycles. My oil change intervals are about what they were when I used non-synthetic, but I don't worry if I go a bit over.

    The 6.5s use exactly the same amount of oil as when I ran non-synthetic Rotella, but the oil doesn't get as dark, as quick. Hmmm...

    As my gas cars approach 150K to 250K miles, I get real lax about change intervals. Towards the end, our 02 Century was getting changed twice a year. (My son overheated it at ~ 250K. Neither he nor I realized the gauge never makes it to the red, no matter how hot it gets. So, it wasn't in the red, & he nursed it a mile to work. Head gasket, cracked head - pretty normal for a 3.1. I don't figure the car owes me anything. Was shopping for another Century when a Saturn caught my eye.)
    82 6.2NA K15 4X4 pickup, 4spd man w/ OD, 335K+ "In Rust We Trust" (parked)
    95 6.5TD 2500 4X4 pickup, Gear Vendors Aux. OD, > ¼ million miles - gone
    95 6.5TD 1500 4X4 3/4T Suburban, Kennedy exhaust, > ¼ million miles
    93 6.5TD 3500 4X4 1T crew cab LB pickup, 230k miles

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