Anyone been using Rotella T dino in an older like my 83 Turbo D motor for a long time and think highly of it?

Would simplify things if I used same oil as my Truck. Which, IIRC, is 15-40W I think... Not sure what this old thing has been getting all its life. What would you use in a high mileage 83 Turbo Diesel? Warm Sunny South and changes of perhaps 3-5K interval?

I have used nothing but Rotella T dino 15w40 in my 86 300SDL (similar enough to yours for an oil comparison) - for the last 45 thousand miles (since I got the car), in North Carolina, changed every 5,000 miles, and have no complaints whatsoever.

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~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL

OK, so is Rotella T Synthetic a good oil to use in a 1999 E300 Turbo Diesel? I was thinking of doing 10K mile oil change intervals.

Is this an ok base to start with before taking an UOA?

Regards,

Matt

There was a lawsuit about the FSS system in the 99s, stemming from oil that did not meet specs. With that in mind, and that a good synthetic isn't markedly cheaper than a 229.3 oil, I'd just stick with the on-spec oil.

I would say it's a good base and especially if you're gonna do a UOA to verify performance, it's a pretty safe bet. But I wouldn't follow the FSS in that case. Actually I wouldn't follow it even if using MB-approved oil. Let's not forget MB also recommends to never change the transmission fluid, and we've seen what happens when following that mantra.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

FYI - Not certain, but believe the current factory recommendation is 39k miles. The bulletin has been posted previously.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

Hmm, is that a recent update? I always thought MB claimed it's a lifetime fill.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL