Rotella in a 300E?

[alfa 75]

This morning I went to look at a 1992 300E for sale around here. Beautiful car, great color combo, transmission checks out okay, but the owner told me he uses Shell Rotella diesel oil in the engine.

I've always been under the impression that you should use diesel oil in diesel cars and gasoline oil in gasoline cars. Am I missing something here?

Edit: I may have posted in the wrong forum.. but I guess it pertains to a diesel oil.

[Skippy]

Diesel oil works in anything. Gasser oil is really only good for gassers. I used Rotella and Delo for years in a Lincoln Town Car and a Suzuki Samurai (both gas), and I'm continuing to use them in my 250 gasser.

[alfa 75]

Well, you learn something everyday I suppose. Thanks.

[Johnhef]

Read the ratings on the back of the bottle. Basically even if it says Diesel oil on the front, if it's got an "S*" rating on the back, it's approved for gasoline engines too.

[t walgamuth]

I would not use diesel oil in your gasser. I tried it in my 500sec and it made the hydraulic lash adjuster stick and tick.

I took it out and put in Mobil one 10w30 and the ticking stopped.

I went back to the rotella thinking that now its clean and it wont tick, but it immediately started ticking again.

Tom W

[Palangi]

Diesel oil, until recently, was loaded with zinc and phosphorus, which, in sufficient quantities, could poison catalytic convertors. Now that most of the zinc and phosphorus has been removed, it is probably harmless to a gas engine.

[herring]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I would not use diesel oil in your gasser. I tried it in my 500sec and it made the hydraulic lash adjuster stick and tick.

I took it out and put in Mobil one 10w30 and the ticking stopped.

I went back to the rotella thinking that now its clean and it wont tick, but it immediately started ticking again.

That's interesting, I have Rotella in my Rodeo right now. I was told to put it in there specifically because over time the beefier detergent package might help with the tendency of the hydraulic lash adjuster to stick and tick when the engine's cold.

I do notice that the heavier weight produces lower oil pressure than I'm used to seeing, and there is still some tick for an instant on startup. I'm glad I did it in warm weather...when I change the oil in the fall I will be going back to 10w30.

[t walgamuth]

In my experience heavier oil has always resulted in higher oil pressure.

Tom W

[C Sean Watts]

Rotella is also one of the VERY few oils left with ZDDP (a zinc diphosphate compound) still in it. Guys who build flat tappet V8s can tell you about the cam wear issues when oil makers stopped using it.

[herring]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

In my experience heavier oil has always resulted in higher oil pressure.

I'm not sure what to say, but I did notice an immediate difference. Unlike the gauge on my 240D, which is pegged at the top when the engine's much above idle, the gauge on the Rodeo is not. Slightly more hesitant to start, as well.

[Cervan]

its 15 weight oil, basically a really thick gooey oil for a gasoline engine, I wouldnt use it because of how thick it is ( too much oil pressure, at high rpm's and not enough oil getting to the bearings). But i do like the soot reducing compounds it has alot.

[dieselnutnj]

what you need to look at is the api classification on the oil your buying. Different api classes are set up for different engines. Oils that are approved for diesels may resist break down from the fuel that always slips past the rings in our diesels.

I have been running the Rotella 15w40 in all my vehicles, including my Ranger V6, and several Benzes, one with over 300k on it. Ive had no problems with any of them running the Rotella. If you know anyone that has a membership in the Mercedes Benz club, thier rag has an article called the oil spot. In it they show the recommended oils for benzes gas/diesel and so on. I'm very happy with the Rotella and after a 2200 mile trip in my '82 wagon with 300K on it, the entire trip even back through the Allegheny mountains of PA she used LESS then a quart of oil.

[Jeremy5848]

Alfa75 -- I used Rotella in both of my Alfas Romeo ('63 and '64 Guilia Spyder).

[oldiesel]

Rotella 15/40 is a mixed fleet oil ,so has both diesel and gasoline ratings ( C&S ) perfectly acceptable for use in your car in warm weather,i would not run it in cold weather.
MY $.02 Don

[drgreenthumb]

I use 5W-40 Rotella Synthetic in my Audi with no problems.