I never use synthetic oils, I think regular 15w40 diesel oil offers plenty of protection and I change it at least every 5K. People use synthetic because it doesn't break down as quick which is true but it still gets dirty just like regular oil does. I would rather have good clean oil that I change every 4-5K then run a synthetic and change at 8-10K.

 

Absolutely... There are all kinds of acids and compounds that build up in the oil that need to come out at least every 5k, a filter does absolutely nothing to remove these. These acids and compounds are not smart enough to know the difference between long life oils and regular oils. So your oil might not break down as fast but the chemicals are still building up and doing damage. Removing these chemicals is even more important than removing the aggregates and long before one has to worry about breakdown.

 

Stating that everyone should change their oil every 4-5K miles is over generalizing things, IMO. Examine some some oil analysis comparisons. Two identical engines can contaminate or wear oil additives very differently, and therefore have different OCI requirements. Likewise, the characteristics of the oil base and additives can affect OCI requirements as well.

 

Amsoil salesmen used to try and tell me this. An aggregate particle 20 microns or less is still an aggregate no matter what medium it is suspended in. And there is no way to completely eliminate combustion gases from entering the oil and creating natural chemical reactions especially from ethanol blend fuels. You can add all the additives you want and these two realities will still be there.

They are a bandaid to try and make us feel better but it's not going to cure the cut. Only a thorough rinsing will prevent infection.

 

There are many other reasons to change oil than particles in suspension. And again, all engines will collect particulate matter, combustion gasses, fuel dilultion, etc. at differing rates. Oil analysis will lead you to a more fact-based determination of oil change interval, rather than making the assumption that all engines have too many particulates in suspension, too much acid, fuel dilution, etc. past 5K miles and therefore a 4-5K mile OCI is necessary for everyone.

 

Thanks!

 

 

So Rotella t6, got it. What filter?

 

From what I gather...anything that will fit it but a FRAM... lol

 

I use NAPA gold. Stay away from the cheap orange Frams.

 

Wix or Napa Gold.

 

That chart may also be due for an update, Salad, if you're reading this.
I know Chevron's gotten rid of their 15-40 LE oil and replaced it
with something else like 15-40 XLE or SDE. I hear the Ford guys
don't like it too much.

Not sure if Shell's switched it up either.

 

I hear & see a lot about brands of oil filters on various forums. Some folks get carried away about oil filters, as well as which brand of spark plugs are the "best", which oil is the "best" which brand of beer.... etc...

I would bet that most people talking about oil filters, don't own a filter cutter, to actually see what has collected in it's media...
( if it looks like aluminum paint, you are in big trouble !)

I figure that any brand of filter is better than the old days, where full-flow filters hadn't arrived yet. Chevy, in 1956, and Cadillac, not until 1960 !! They had the by-pass type though, mounted on the top of the engines, which sorta helped...

Happy Thanksgiving folks !!

 

All of the Diesel motor oils have switched from CJ-4 to CK-4 spec. Ford Originally rejected the use of CK-4 oils in the 6.7 Powerstroke and put out a list of approved oils, but all of that has pretty much been settled now. Every other diesel engine manufacturer has approved the new CK-4 spec oil. Not much has changed between the old CJ-4 and CK-4 spec and they still offer much better protection then gas engine oils do in my opinion, so I will continue to run 15w40 diesel oil in all of my engines.

 

I'm still buying CK-4 15-40wt from Caterpillar, what you have to watch out for is the low sulfer oil which is for the tier 2 to tier 4 final engines. They have in additives for the DPF filter and to help with the sulpher content. My 87 has run nothing but Cat 15-40 since new and at 210,000 miles the rods and mains look good and oil samples come back showing little wear also.