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  #16  
Old 08-15-2002, 10:45 AM
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great thread. When I bought my daughter's "78" 240d, PO had used Amsoil since 40K, it had 200K when I bought it.The PO was a dealer since he used it in everything he had including his weed eater. i figured on staying with what the car was used too so I became a dealer to get the stuff cheaper by the case, and when I bought my latest acquisition, the "85" 5 speed (89K) I swiched it over to Amsoil. I have not switched over the wifes "79" but now think i will. Anyway it cost me (delivered to my door) $4.75 per qt in a case (12) or if I bought a 30 gal drum it would be $3.96 per qt and $3.59 per qt for a 55 gal drum. It also cost $20.00 per year to maintain your dealership. When it comes time to re up I will consider switching to Mobil 1 or Rotella as I think Amsoil is a good product and going into Walmart gives me the creeps, the price is right. BTW My daughter's 240 is the 'zippist" 240 that I have ever driven, zipper than my "new' 5 spd. This has been confirmed by other friends that drive MBs so, go figure, maybe it has to do with the use of synthetic oil.

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  #17  
Old 08-15-2002, 12:58 PM
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As others mentioned, the Shell Rotella Synthetic is inferior to Delvac-1 synthetic. The base stock is much different. Delvac-1 can usually be found for $20-$22/gallon. Wal-Mart normally has the Shell gallons for $19-$20, which to me was NOT worth it.

However, at $12-$13/gallon (or $3/qt), damn I want some too! I hope they're running that sale over here in Idaho.

Side note: I would NOT use Castrol Syntec 5W-50 for extended drains. Dr. Booth on the MBZ diesel list tried it in his fleet and he could TELL when the oil started breaking down by 4-5000 miles, at which point oil consumption increased noticeably! Reverting to Mobil-1 and Delvac-1 cured that. The problem is Castrol uses too many viscosity improvers to get such a wide viscosity range. Also, the only Mercedes-approved Mobil-1's are the 15W-50 and 0W-40 varieties... NONE of the xW-30 ones should be used in our diesels!


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  #18  
Old 08-15-2002, 07:46 PM
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Has anyone used the Rotella Diesel Fuel Additive (DFA)? How does it compare to the Lubra-Moly Hi-Test?


Bob
300D 157K
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  #19  
Old 11-03-2002, 09:54 PM
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Since Pennsylvania is starting to to a bit chilly, I thought I might try this new Rotella. I could hear and feal an immediate difference in the way the engine opperated with the synthetic as opposed to the dino. It is quieter, smoother and I think it even has more power. I am very impressed!!
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  #20  
Old 11-03-2002, 10:02 PM
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I have since read some more about the Shell synthetic. It's not a true synthetic but it's still better than dino. At the Wal-Mart sale price ($13/gal) it's not a bad deal compared to most $5/qt true synthetics.

Now, one thing I just found is that my local Wal-Mart now carries Mobil-1 15W-50 in the 5-quart jugs for $17.xx! That's about the same price as the Rotella on sale! And the Mobil is MUCH better stuff. Only the 15W-50 and 0W-40 is approved for use by MB, so don't buy the xW-30 weights. Now I wish I hadn't bought those 6 gallons of Rotella, I would have gotten the Mobil instead... oh well. Only nuisance is that you have to add 1.5 five-quart containers per change (7.5 qts), which requires more work than two gallon jugs of Rotella. Oh well.



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  #21  
Old 11-03-2002, 10:08 PM
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gsxr,

I did buy some good deal Rotella Syn ... can you provide material your referenced in your decision about it, with a better diesel rating, than the M1 which does not have the CH rating?
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  #22  
Old 11-04-2002, 12:21 PM
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I use Delvac 1 in my TDI, good for 10K changes and available from a local distributor (CAT dealers also sell relabled Delvac 1 in their 5w-40 syn).

But for my MB, I just switched from Delo 400 dino to Rotella syn. The price is right, at two gallons per change at a less-hassle 7500 miles. I know it's not a Group IV, or true synthetic oil like Delvac or Amsoil 3000, but it'll do.

I wouldn't recommend using Mobil 1, or Castrol Syntec, in any diesel (I know, Volkswagen contracts with Castrol for a 5w-40 oil for TDIs)

The problem is that many synthetics are not rated API CH-4, or CI-4, for use in compression engines. That means, according to many of the oil posts I've read, that they won't properly suspend soot during extended use.

Dunno, am neither an expert or "oil warrior," but it all seems reasonable to me.
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  #23  
Old 11-04-2002, 03:43 PM
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I have seen several people say that the Rotella Synthetic uses an inferior base, but have been unable to find any backup on this. Is this opinion or fact. It seems that truckers are fond of Rotella products -- that means a lot to me, but I hate using anything "inferior" in my baby.
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  #24  
Old 11-04-2002, 08:55 PM
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I was looking at the Mobil1 but just couldn't bring myself to "shell" out the bucks for it! Ha Ha.

The fact that my car responded so dramatically to Rotella syn. is evidence enough to me that this is a far superior product than the dino Rotella - regardless of the base molecular formula. For the cost, it is a bargin.
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  #25  
Old 11-05-2002, 12:35 AM
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I agree, cost is a factor. But the Shell is $20/gallon normally ($5/qt) and was $13/gal on sale ($3.25/qt). So, at regular price, it is the SAME price as Mobil-1. And now that Wal-Mart has the 15W-50 five-quart jugs for $18 ($3.60/qt), the Mobil-1 price is essentially equal, but with superior performance. Given a similar price I'd take Mobil-1 any day over the Rotella. (Just make sure you DO NOT use any of the xW-30 weights, which I mentioned earlier.)

As to the quality of the Shell, from the extensive posts on MBZ.org I belive it is just "ordinary" oil, to quote Dr. Booth. It's not bad, just nothing special. And the Rotella "synthetic" is really a hydrocracked dino oil that displays certain properties of synthetics, while not being a true synthetic base oil, hence their ability to market it as synthetic is questionable IMO. I believe it may start breaking down sooner (lose viscosity, like the Syntec?) than "real" synthetics. The CH/CI ratings are mostly irrelevant, they all carry some form of adequate Cx rating. Mobil-1 can carry up to 2% soot load, and Delvac-1 bumps that to 4%. Hence the Delvac is preferred for extended drain intervals (say, 10-25kmi in a passenger car diesel.) Both are excellent fully synthetic oils, as are RedLine and Amsoil. (Note: My references to the oil composition are from memory, from very detailed email threads on the subject... If I goofed up I'll edit it later!)

FWIW, I just changed the oil in my diesel VW and used the Rotella syn... now I only have 5 more gallons to use up before I can switch to Mobil-1! (In the past my local stores only had the xW-30 5-qt jugs which I couldn't use. If they would just put the 0W-40 at that price I'd use it instead of Delvac...! But I'm not holding my breath.)

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  #26  
Old 11-05-2002, 01:42 AM
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gxsr, you mean Mobil 1 or Mobil Delvac 1?
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  #27  
Old 11-05-2002, 05:51 AM
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GSXR, understand, have read Dr. Booth's posts on the subject, but oither than that, have seen nothing that would substantiate the claim. Not challanging it, but sure would like to see the research behind it. Shell seems to be a reputable company and has been supporting the diesel community for years, so I wonder why they wuold market an "inferior" synthetic.

BTW, I've been a Mobil 1 exc;usively user for at least 16 years, so I definately have no beef with That great oil. I am just new to diesels, and do not want to do anyting bad.
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  #28  
Old 11-05-2002, 08:46 AM
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Dana, I don't follow what you want clarification on... Mobil/Delvac what?
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  #29  
Old 11-06-2002, 01:18 AM
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Gsxr, You referred to Mobil 1 and Delvac in the last graf of your last post. I know you prefer, and use, Delvac 1, which is different stuff from the widely available Mobil 1 product from the same company. Cheers.
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  #30  
Old 12-04-2002, 02:45 PM
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Everything you ever wanted to know about
Shell Rotella products

http://www.rotella.com/products.php3

and here's a link from LightMan on Mobile Delvac 1
5w40 synthetic

http://dallnd6.dal.mobil.com/Apps/DS/_39gj50ko_/MobilPDS.nsf/26b7c4b33367a4a086256665004e4266/60d8a76e857b7e71852567b60072913a?OpenDocument

Be sure to compare the specs for each oil ..

Jim in Ct ..


Last edited by Triffin; 12-04-2002 at 10:10 PM.
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