DIESEL ENGINE OIL IN A GAS ENGINE

S

SCOTT H

New member
Anyone have any thoughts on running 15-40 case-IH diesel oil in a 345 gas engine? I work in a IH ag shop and can get the oil in bulk cheap. I know this oil is higher in zink than most of the stuff on the market and I'm thinking this would be better in the long run on my engine.
Scott
 
Scott,

check the service rating on the oil you are considering.

If it is rated "cj-4" for diesel, or "sm" for gasoline, I wouldn't recommend using it. Those both have lower additive levels than the previous "ci-4 / sl" grades.

I wouldn't use an oil which contains less than 1,200 ppm of zinc, so if you can determine what the case is, that would be the deciding factor. Of course, you realize that case, cat, cummins, etc do not make their own oil, it is made per their specifications by a blender who would normally win the "low-bid" to get the business, so zinc levels May not be the only deciding factor.

Oil grade specifications will probably be changing again next year, so it would be best if you could use something which will still be available after that goes into effect.

.....food for thought
 
Carl,

the old "delo 400" 15w40 had a higher additive level, it was rated at "ci-4 plus" - the newer chevron delo, is just called "delo le" which stands for "low emission", that is rated cj-4. The shell rotella-t did not change names as the chevron did. If the fact sheet you get on the particular grade you have shows less than 1200 ppm on zinc, they have lowered it. The cj-4 grade went into effect in late 2006, and that's pretty much what you are gonna find on the shelf.

Btw..... Both chevron and shell (as well as others) newer grades of cj-4 are backwards compatible by mandate, but all that means is that you can use them in older engines.....doesn't mean that you will get as much protection as the older "ci-4" grade did.

I'm not saying that you will get "adverse issues" immediately, but it is a good chance that you will eventually. The epa did us no favors in both the cj-4 or the sm grade classifications, except for protecting catalytic converters.
 
swepco said:
carl,

the old "delo 400" 15w40 had a higher additive level, it was rated at "ci-4 plus" - the newer chevron delo, is just called "delo le" which stands for "low emission", that is rated cj-4. The shell rotella-t did not change names as the chevron did. If the fact sheet you get on the particular grade you have shows less than 1200 ppm on zinc, they have lowered it. The cj-4 grade went into effect in late 2006, and that's pretty much what you are gonna find on the shelf.

Btw..... Both chevron and shell (as well as others) newer grades of cj-4 are backwards compatible by mandate, but all that means is that you can use them in older engines.....doesn't mean that you will get as much protection as the older "ci-4" grade did.

I'm not saying that you will get "adverse issues" immediately, but it is a good chance that you will eventually. The epa did us no favors in both the cj-4 or the sm grade classifications, except for protecting catalytic converters.
Click to expand...

So...what do you recommend?
 
You've asked me a loaded question since I rep swepco products, however you May still be able to find some major brand oils out there which have the ci-4 rating for diesel, sl rating for gasoline engines prior to 2007. It just depends on how much was in stock at the time..... Of course, if you want to go with the best protection, I do recommend the swepco 306 15w40. It has gained a lot more popularity since early in 2007 due to all these changes mentioned before (and above). The entire additive package is more robust than the "national brands" are and the base stock along with the additives which are blended in really do provide excellent results. For example: other oils, will have between 800 to 1200 ppm of zinc (zddp), wheras the swepco 306 is 1400>. (zinc is the major anti-wear additive)

swepco 306 engine oil, as well as several other swepco products are stocked by Jeff at ihon....it's higher in price than the major brands are, but well worth the extra dollars spent, so think of it as an "investment" rather than a "cost." this has been proven many times over from owners in just about every industry....passenger cars, diesel trucks (from pickups to big rigs), construction equipment, industrial applications, and my most favorite, dirt-track racing. With it you can extend your drain intervals as well as get more hard-part protection.

Here's an analogy for you: I am a firm believer in vitamins and supplements to help the body. Once, several years ago, I was complaining to my Dad, (who happened to be around 85 at the time) the "price" of taking so many different vitamins/supplements; his response was "what kind of price can you put on your health?" I immediately saw the correlation between what I sell (swepco) and the less-expensive products out there! Btw, Dad turns 90 this year.

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share this with you and the readers of the forum.

Dick
 
I live litrally down the road from the lucas oil race track here in sw mo. And I have been tempted to take a look at there oil. They are really close and ive heard there oil is great, any thoughts on this?
 
Don't know a whole lot about their products as they are not real popular out here in California......however they do a real good job in advertising. They have a lot of distribution at truck stops across the country, so they do have real good exposure. I haven't tested any of them, so I cannot truthfully say one way or another.
 
I've tried the lucas oil, I was not impressed with it. Just another name for "motor honey", for the worn ring crowd. In fact my noisy piston slapp'in engine sounded worse when I put the recommended dose in. I'm sure some of the supplements are good stuff, I just don't have a need for high endurance yet. Now sometimes stuff can interfere with the additives you already bought in the oil you're using now. Take a look at the link I've inserted. I've been following this guy for the last 10 years, since '99, and so far much of his stuff is right on. Now that he has some sponsors, he's been able to put theory on the web page too.
what about additives?
 
Greg,

thanks for chiming in and adding your "nickels worth!"

the whole point of the demonstration is that the proper additives in the proper amount for the proper application might help..... But to further expound upon the subject; it appears that the lucas product in the demo is what is known as a "tactifier." tactifiers have been used in gear oils and greases for decades, they are especially useful in gear oil to get the "climbing" action at cold start up, thus protecting against dry gears coming into contact with each other. Better gear oil, such as "swepco" branded, will give this protection with the 201 grades (80/90, 90, & 140). The 210, 80/140 has a different kind of chemistry in which the oil has an affinity for the metal and does not run off and leave the gears dry. I've had sprint car differentials' ring & pinion & quick change gears using 210-80/140 run for more than 5 seasons without a failure! When used in grease manufacturing, it is the additive which gives grease a "tacky" texture.... Hence the name "tactifier."

there are many different quality levels of tactifiers on the market, most of them have specific applications..... For example, you wouldn't necessarily use the same formula for gear oil as you would grease manufacturing.

Tactifiers are not used in engine oil, those hand-crank demo units you see on the counter at the parts stores are very impressive, but they are not representative of engines as they are for say manual transmissions or differentials.

Just like anything else, there are people who "swear by it", and others that "swear at it!"

btw, I also have a motor driven gear oil tester almost identical to the one Bob the oil guy uses, and have come across the same results. They are really a mess to clean up!!!!
 
Back a "few" years we didn't have lucas, it was hastings casite "motor honey" and "stp" by stp. They pictured race cars and "track proven" products. I bought 'em all with all sorts of other stuff. Then my skinnier wallet seemed to take a voice "ya driv'in the daytona 500 to school or the job kid?" I started pay'in attenshun in auto 101.
They have their place, but not routinely maintained daily drivers or trailer queens.
 
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