I just bought a 1981 300SD with 316k miles on a broken Odo. I normally use a Synthetic, which one do you recommend? I am using shell Rotella normal dino oil 15-40 in it currently for it's first oil change with me, however I want to change to a Synthetic. Which one? I looked up on the VW TDI forum web site and found that they recommend the following:
"Oils which are suitable for the full recommended oil change interval in all climates include, but aren't limited to:
Mobil Delvac 1, 5w40 (full synthetic, a reformulated version of Mobil 1 which is intended for diesel engines)
Chevron Delo 400, 5w40 (full synthetic version)
Shell Rotella T (full synthetic version, not to be confused with Rotella SB synthetic blend or regular Rotella T non-synthetic)
Amsoil Series 3000, 5w30 (full synthetic, CH-4 rated)
Amsoil High Performance, 10w40 (full synthetic, CH-4 rated)
Amsoil semi-synthetic 15w40 (CH-4 rated and high quality, but almost as expensive as the full synthetic, and higher viscosity at low temperatures)
Redline, synthetic version (make sure you get the type meant for diesel engines, with the CG-4 or CH-4 rating)
a. There are intermediate classes of oils in between full synthetic oils and conventional oils. These include synthetic blends, and so-called "Group III" hydroisomerized oils, and are also available in viscosity ranges suitable for all climates. They include:
Shell Rotella SB (synthetic blend)
Petro-Canada Duron, various viscosity's (Group III, various grades available, ensure CG-4 or CH-4 rating on the bottle)
Castrol Syntec 5w30, 5w40 (Group III - note that this oil is frequently recommended by VW dealers but is NOT rated CG-4 or CH-4, and isn't a full synthetic - which calls into question what the dealer is telling people ... this forum is generally of the opinion that Castrol Syntec is not the best choice for this engine)
In warm weather, a good-quality non-synthetic oil meant for diesel engines with CG-4 or CH-4 ratings may be used. They're not suitable in cold weather due to reduced cold-pumping properties, and it's prudent to shorten the oil change interval because non-synthetic oils may not resist breakdown at high temperatures as well as the synthetic oils (remember that turbocharger). These oils are much easier to find. These include:
Mobil Delvac 1300, 15w40
Shell Rotella T, 15w40
Chevron Delo 400, 15w40
Beware of other brands that claim to be diesel-rated or turbo-rated, but are actually just plain cheap. Use the good stuff. If you doubt this, ask transport truck drivers that own their rigs what they use. Chances are it will be Delvac or Rotella.
In cold weather, if CG-4 or CH-4 rated synthetic oil cannot be found, regular Mobil 1 rated CF in viscosity grades 0w30, 5w30, or 10w30 may be used, but with a shortened oil change interval because this oil doesn't have as much capability to handle soot".
I also need advice on using Willie Nelson's Bio Diesel B20 in my 300SD. Any thoughts. It is available here in San Diego! YA!

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smartpoageSD
1981 300SD with 316k, Shell Rotella Motor Oil, soon to switch to Synthetic, Michellins and running Willie Nelson's Biodiesel B20
1987 Mazda pickup 111k on Mobil1
1999 Toyota Sienna 96k on Mobil1

Are you getting the biodiesel from that station off of El Cajon Blvd? I fill up my SD every time I head down that way (I'm all the way up in Vista). It makes the car run really quiet. It's worth the .10 extra cents over diesel.

Ding dang it! That was me that just wrote that. Everytime I go to post, I forget my dad is still logged in. Darn Mozilla firefox.

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"spreading a trail of obnoxious where ever we go"
1981 300sd w/ 341,500 miles

http://www.wecrash.com/pics/ddda_banner.gif

Yes I do. I just filled up with my first tank full and I'll keep using it from now on. So far, so good!

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smartpoageSD
1981 300SD with 316k, Shell Rotella Motor Oil, soon to switch to Synthetic, Michellins and running Willie Nelson's Biodiesel B20
1987 Mazda pickup 111k on Mobil1
1999 Toyota Sienna 96k on Mobil1

That station is pretty *****in' I love how they have bio-diesel, natural gas and ethanol pumps. We need some more of those around San Diego.

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"spreading a trail of obnoxious where ever we go"
1981 300sd w/ 341,500 miles

http://www.wecrash.com/pics/ddda_banner.gif

smart, can you buy Delvac 1 5W40 in your local area?

i dont beleive it.no one has taken the bait yet!

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michael cole 1980 300SD gone now but not forgotten,87tdt,90 300te 4matic 95 e320 wagon

Yes I can. Does it cost more or is it better than the others? I want the best, yet cost is always a factor. I was using Mobil1 10-30 in my 1999 Toyota Sienna and 1987 Mazda B2000 pickup, yet it is not CH-4 rated.

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smartpoageSD
1981 300SD with 316k, Shell Rotella Motor Oil, soon to switch to Synthetic, Michellins and running Willie Nelson's Biodiesel B20
1987 Mazda pickup 111k on Mobil1
1999 Toyota Sienna 96k on Mobil1

Shell Rotella in the blue bottle. White is petro, but just as good.

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1984 300D Turbo Diesel - 211700+ mileage (now sold)
http://www.maj.com/gallery/Ned/benz/sig.jpg
In any of my posts, it is safe to assume
that I'm talking about this car.

What is this, about the 100th oil thread this month?

If the API rating on the back is CG-4 or higher and it says synthetic on the front (because you want a synthetic) and the W-rating covers your temp range then the best thing is to take it to the cash register and fork out the dinero.

It would not surprise me that many of the "wonder oils" come off the same assembly line and is bottled in many different colored jugs. It is all advertising and guess who is paying for it.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

I use Shell Rotella T Synthetic in the blue bottle. 5w-40. I get it at Walmart for I think $13.55 a gallon. I use it in my TDI, and in the 240 now.

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2000 C230 Kompressor "Frosty"

2007 PT Cruiser
2001 VW TDI Beetle
1999 Landrover Discovery II
1971 Corvette

Gone: 97 Cabrio, 83 240D, 93 VW Eurovan, 95 Volvo 850, 93 Chevy Astro Van, 77 VW Bus, 99 VW Jetta, 74 VW Bus

I've been using that while I wait for the M1 5W40 to reappear. From what I've seen so far, it does a good job.

Yep, I've been using it for years. If M1 ever gets down to $4.00 per quart again, I'll definitely consider it......especially for the 603.

But, the 617 is perfectly pleased with the Rotella.........anything more costly is probably overkill..........since the soot loading will demand a change at 5-6K.........in most cases.

5w40 Delvac 1 is the only oil my SDL ever sees, heck I have the sticker on the front crossmember. I can't use anything else, not with that sticker their!

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200