Recommend a Amsoil substitute
 

I have a 87 TDT that I recently bought and the PO used AMSOIL products. I don't have access to AO in my area so was wondering if someone could recommend a substitute that I could use that is a diesel synthetic. I use Mobile 1 in my Merc gas but not sure if it is used in diesels. What does MB say to use from the factory?

I doubt this thread will keep from degrading into an oil-brand barfight, so I will get my reply in early. If you want to continue using Amsoil, you can order from their website. If you use enough, you can get a preferred customer discount. Otherwise, if you want to continue running synthetic, Mobil 1 Truck and SUV is diesel rated and available at most Walmarts. I used to run Amsoil in my Dmax and found it to be a good oil, but when Mobil 1 T&S became available at Walmart, it was simpler just to get it there so I switched.

I don't think Mobile 1 SUV stuff is here in Canada so I would be only able to get Castrol, Penzoil or numerous other brands. Trouble is I don't know if any are diesel rated. What about Rotella synthetic?

Rotella synthetic is a decent oil, in my opinion, but isn't a true synthetic in the sense of Mobil Delvac (Truck and SUV) or Amsoil (without getting into complicated chemistry, Rotella synthetic could sort of be called an extra highly refined dino oil). I have no knowledge of any other diesel-rated synthetics beyond the three mentioned above. I'm not saying they don't exist, I just have no experience with any others.

You said the dirty word here. Wal*Mart. Now it will get into a barfight. :D

Actually, I get my juggs from Wal*Mart. They are Mobil1 Truck and SUV oil. 5W40. 5 qt juggs.

Rotella for me because I have cases of the stuff in my garage and 2 jugs make a great refill starting point.
If I ever run out of the stuff I will buy mobil T@S but by that time Mobil will have reformulation their oils.

Oil Recommendations
 

motor oils rated by API (American Petroleum Institute) will be signified as CF, CG, CH, etc. for diesel compression engines. The C = Compression Ignition as opposed to SG, SH, SJ designations, which refer to S (spark ignition). Some oils are rated for us in both diesel and gasoline engines, thereby having dual designations. The letters which follow the "C" or "S" relate to the age timeframe in which the oil was tested. A "CH" oil was tested and approved using a more stringent test than an older standard of "CF" or "CG".

API are of course american standards, which are prevalent on oil containers and literature. ACEA is a european association with designations such as B2, B3, B4, etc. These designations are rarely found, although I have seen them on the Amzoil website.

Checkout the following for MB recommendations and listing of some acceptable motor oils for MB 229.3 and 229.5:

www.whnet.com/4x4/oil.html

Synthetic oil is just more refined plus additives, I used the Amsoil in my Dodge deisel than swtiched to the mobile one. Havent heard of or seen a motor damaged by oil. Would not hesitate to use any aynthetic.

I don't have Amsoil available in my area either but just order it on the internet...Direct from Amsoil...Shipping isn't bad for 4 Gallons...

I run Chevron's DELO 15w40.
Mobil 1 Synth in the Tranny and Rear Diff.

Kris

Yet Another Oil Thread! Let The Fun Begin! ;) :d

Well, in simple terms, yes, all synthetics are more or less just highly refined crude oil. But in those same terms, you could say plastic is also just highly refined crude oil.

There is a chemical difference in group 4 (Amsoil, Mobil 1) and group 3 (Rotella, Castrol, et. al.) synthetic oils. Does a difference in chemistry mean a difference in performance? I surely don't know the answer to that one and would never pretend to.

In Canada, PetroCanada 5w-40 syn is wideley available. If I can get it in L.A., you can get it in the Great White North.

Mobile 1 is the closest to Amsoil. It's made from the same stock and a little cheaper.

'Round here LA stands for Lower Alabama, but if you are talkin' 'bout Los
Angeles- what could you not get there but could get somewheres else besides a lung full of fresh air?

Mobil Delvac 1 5w-40 Walmart has it.

Afaik MB specs Mobil 1 0w-40 for everything, thats the official company line. And yes it is diesel rated.

You can order Amsoil stuff from their site. I run their filters on gas vehicles I keep up with... the Z, my Ferd, and an LS400.

Regretfully, C Holmes is correct, we can't get the Mobil-1 Truck & SUV oil here in Canada either from Wally Mart or even directly from Esso/Mobil. You can order Delvac-1 (same stuff) through a mobil dealer, but it is horribly expensive at about $45 Cdn for 4 litres ($38 US) :eek: :eek:

I'm fortunate to have friends in Detroit that buy it for me at Wal-Mart and smuggle.... er I mean bring in extra in case they need it when travelling in our fair land. :o That way it only costs me $50 Cdn for 10 Qts or 9.5 litres ($42 US).

In summer you can use Mobil-1 15W-50 synthetic available everywhere. For the winter months a 5W-40 or 15W-40 Diesel rated oil is preferred. I would use any good quality synthetic or dino oil provided it has a Diesel rating. That is more important than whether it is synthetic or not.

:P

Isn't that redundant? ;)

What about CL rating ???
 

I think it is CL that is on tho Mobile 1 10W-30 synthetic that I had to buy because ***BLEEP*** (I promise it was an emergency -- going on long trip next morning) was out of tho 5W40 Truck and SUV. I never hear anything about that rating being ok for diesel but it is on all the *Spark* oils . Is it ok?

This is the API info:

http://www.aa1car.com/library/api_oilguide_2004.pdf

Here is the data for Mobil 1 10W30, it has a CF rating for diesels:

http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENPVLMOMobil_1_10W-30.asp

Irving IDO
 

Last winter, I ran Irving Diesel Oil "Semi-Synthetic" 5W40. This winter, I'm not driving the Benz- I want her to last. I'm not sure what makes any one oil better than another these days- I doubt that any particular premium brand would hurt, and there's a definate advantage to getting down to "5W" with our Atlantic Coast winters.

Dave Milton
Sackville, NB

1976 300D Fairweather Driver, soon to be "Euro-Pimped"
1970 200 Euro Parts Car
1969 280S Euro Parts Car
1991 VW Jetta Winter Car
1998 Cavalier Wifemobile

Thanks Dan and Craig for not taking my humor the wrong way:silly: , but what about Lower Alabama would not be right in being redundent? and stand down, this is not a thread hijack.

The PetroCanada product is a fine diesel oil, CH-4 rated and I would expect it to be available to you.