What oil do you use?

[rktmanfj]

Mobil Delvac 15w/40 Diesel Oil. Always have, always will.

Check this out and then decide for yourself:   http://tinyurl.com/azn5o

I was doin okay with this, then I got to the 'Go Packers' part...  gag.    

Randy T
Indy


PS:  I'm using Rotella T synth.

[Dan Filetti]

Been using Castrol 4T (for motorcycles) -seems OK, and it's cheap from Pep Boys.  I change my oil twice per year.  Once in the late spring, early summer, and again in late fall, no matter what the mileage.  Maybe next time I'll try Rotella.

Dan 

[FJ Flyer]

Hey folks, here's a question. I am not sure prior to me buying the bike how it was treated and what the oil was or frequency of changes. Can I just jump to synthetic oil or do I have to switch gradually, do I "flush" the motor before using? So many questions and such limited typing skills!!

"Your results may vary...."  There have been reports by some that when they made the switch to synth, they started leaking.  Or burning it.  Or the clutch starts slipping.  I was using semi-synth when I made the switch over, with no ill effects, for, oh, 80-90K miles now.

[Dan Filetti]

I went to Mobile 1 (red cap) on the FJ, and that first oil change, on a hard acceleration, up a steep hill, on a really hot day, the clutch did slip slightly once or twice.  By change # 2, I could not reproduce the slipping no matter how hard I tried to...  I did not leak or burn any oil though.

I think at the time someone said that I should install a larger/ second clutch spring.  Given that I did not go WOT up hills all that much, I ignored it and, luckily it went away.  YRMV...

Dan

[MyFirstNameIsPaul]

I run Amsoil 10W-40.  I like their marketing because they use actual standard testing methods and test nearly all other oils to compare with theirs, which is pretty bold for a manufacturer to do, so they must have a lot of confidence in their oil.  I used to run 20W-50, but I've found I get better gas mileage and the bike heats up a tad quicker with the 10W-40 and I think with a full synthetic the heavier oil is not necessary.  I don't replace my oil nearly as often as others do and I haven't found the bike to run any worse or consume any more oil than it did when I bought it over 40,000 miles ago.

[McWood]

those of you running diesel oil is there a procedure involved in making the switch? im too hungover to read through that whole article that ratchet posted, just need to get in the shop and get oily.

[the fan]

In most cases I drained the old oil and swapped out the filter first....

I run Rotella 5/40 synthetic in all my bikes. Previously silkolene semi synthetic, but prices went up and I noticed no difference when running the truck stuff.

[Marsh White]

those of you running diesel oil is there a procedure involved in making the switch? im too hungover to read through that whole article that ratchet posted, just need to get in the shop and get oily.

McWood, The gist of the article is the Shell Rotella T Synthetic 5w-40 is the best (or the Mobil equivalent).  Last week here in SoCal it was $23.00 a gallon at a local Autozone type store.  If you want to save some money, then get the next best: Shell Rotella T 15w-40 (non-synthetic).  That is what I did.  It was 12.99 a gallon.  Shifts smooth and will be just fine if you change it at 2500 miles or so.  Yeah, just change the oil filter when you switch...you'll be good to go!

[pdxfj]

Marsh,

Thanks for the feedback on the non-synthetic Shell oil.  I saw it for same price at a local auto store and was thinking of giving it a shot.  I usually do an oil change before and after the rally anyway.

[the fan]

In the Cincinnati area only Wal Mart carries the rotella 5/40 synthetic. I think I paid 18 or 19 bucks for a gallon a few weeks ago.

[McWood]

well i got impatient and went ahead replaced the filter and filled her up with 15w-40 rotella t (had some laying around from the duramax) before i read your guys posts. Thanks for the tips! i just got back from the test ride and i must say i'm impressed, she runs alot smoother and quiter now with the rotella.

What i was/am wondering is if i should change the oil and filter here shortly due to what the new detergents are cleaning out. i've been in a couple of camp fire convos about running rotella in jeep engines. there always one or two "experts" who claim that by running detergents in an allready dirty engine you can actually cause damage when you remove the deposits. sound like a bunch of hooey to me, but im the better safe than sorry type. Sounds like i have nothing to worry about if i wait till the next scheduled oil change.

p.s. i just paid $18 for a gallon of the rotella t

[Marsh White]

Going back to the article: http://tinyurl.com/azn5o
The "detergent" level seems dependant on the weight of oil.  The 15w-40 Rotella does not have have much.  The 5w-40 Rotella (synthetic) has even less.  You have NOTHING to worry about!  It is the 15w-50 (and other weights...see the article) that has the higher level and causes the clutch to slip.  I've been there done that...happy to have that Mobil 1 "Gold Cap" shit out of my FJ for good!  (yes I tried it after the Red Cap disappeared...dumb ass me)

FYI: The Mobil 1 "Red Cap" never slipped for me...but that has since been discontinued for a couple of years now.  Honestly, the Rotella 15w-40 feels even better to me than the "Red Cap" ever did...shifts A LOT smoother.

[Imkruzen]

Been using AMSOIL 10-40 in all the FJ's. Has better properties in high heat than dino oil. Never had clutch slipping problems. Shifts nice. No worries of break down in traffic. Keeps the case clean and no carbon build up.

[Imkruzen]

Generally I run the season (4 months) with the same synthetic oil in the bike. Most people change their oil too often without even doing an oil anaysis. I did one on my car after running Amsoil for a year and the anaysis came up to change the oil and filter. There was nothing there to suggest that the oil and particle levels were beyond normal. When I rebuilt the engine, the galleries were spotless.Wear on the lifters, rockers were non existant. Why did I rebuild the engine? During a race, I had detonation and collapsed three pistons. I was running 13.5:1 on 94 octane with 40 degrees advance @2500 and 10 initial. It was a fuel issue.

To change your oil too often is just a waste of money that doesn't do anything to prolong the life of the engine. I'm a Millwright for 32 years and have been doing oil anaysis on industrial equipment where the OEM suggested oil change intervals were extended 2 times or more. Equipment that costs $1 million dollars and up. Use a good synthetic and don't worry. Do an oil analysis if you have concerns and you can sleep at night. If you change from dino oil to synthetic, change the filter a couple of times cause the sluge from the dino oil will be disolved by the synthetic oil.

More reading here: http://www.motorcyclebloggers.com/images/angrybob/oil_bible_motorcycle.pdf

[rktmanfj]

I was in two Wal-Mart stores over the weekend, and neither had the jugs of Rotella T synth in stock.

They never did carry it in quarts either, so not sure what I'll use this time.

Randy T
Indy