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  #1  
Old 07-29-2003, 04:36 AM
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oil for both gas and diesel

After a few Castrol oil changes on my diesel I now use Delo 15-something. I've read on these posts that it's more than adequate for my diesel and it's approved for its use by the SAE, API or some other acronymed organization. Regarding gas engines i've without good reason always used Castrol multi weight and relied on regular oil/filter changes to make the engines last.

i'm trying to simplyfy inventory so which oil should I choose for both cars; gas and diesel? I change often enough, every 4K miles max, with equal hwy/city driving time. Not interested in synthetics at this time.

firestormer says if it's good enough for diesels its good enough for us. I guess that includes gassers too?

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  #2  
Old 07-29-2003, 11:01 AM
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If you look at the API certification on the Delo package you will see that it meets both the current diesel spec, which is CI-4 and the current spark ignition spec, which is SL.

CI-4 oils have a higher concentration of detergent, dispersant, anti-wear, and anti-corrosion additives, which diesels require. These are also good for SI engines, but the only potential problem is that the combustion byproducts of these additive are not kind to catalyitic converters, which is one reason why SL oils have less additive concentration.

I use CI-4 oil in my vintage SI engine cars that don't have catalytic converters, but continue to use SL oil in my modern cars that have catalytic converters.

Duke
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  #3  
Old 07-29-2003, 01:31 PM
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Duke,

On a spark-ignition engine, would there be any advantage to running a CI-4 oil for a short duration to gain the advantage of the higher level of detergent additives?

Jeff Pierce
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  #4  
Old 07-29-2003, 02:30 PM
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Quote:
Originally posted by tvpierce
Duke,

On a spark-ignition engine, would there be any advantage to running a CI-4 oil for a short duration to gain the advantage of the higher level of detergent additives?

Jeff Pierce
Possibly. CI-4 oil might be able to free a "sticky lifter". Modern engines warm up quicker and meter fuel much more accurately than vintage carbureted engines, so modern SI engines don't need as much detergent, dispersant, anti-wear, and anti-corrosion additive as vintage SI engines. That's why I use CI-4 oil in my vintage cars.

The catalytic converter issue is why the level of additive in modern SI engine oils has actually been reduced over the years, and modern SI engines don't need as much additive.

If you have a modern SI engine with a converter and no sticky lifter issues I'd recommend sticking with SL oil. If you have a sticky lifter you could try a load of CI-4 and see if it helps. There are also oil supplements that have additives that are designed to free up sticky lifters.

Duke
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  #5  
Old 07-29-2003, 03:57 PM
LarryBible
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I have used Delo 15W40 for about 15 years in everything I own that has an engine. This includes: Diesel MB's, Gas MB's, Cummins 6BT, Ford Diesel tractors, Toyota gas, Ford pickup gas, '88 Vette, Cub Cadet lawn mower, Dixon lawn mower and anything else that requires oil in crankcase.

I have had ZERO catalytic converter issues during that time. I think that the cat issue is an old wives tale otherwise it would not have the latest spark ratings. The engines that I've taken apart have been very clean inside.

I feel quite sure that the other quality Universal grades such as Delvac and Rotella T would perform in the same way.

My $0.02,
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  #6  
Old 07-29-2003, 06:34 PM
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Decided, it will be Delo 15W40 (available at my Costco) for my engines. Sincemy '72 450SL doesn't have a catalytic converter it's a real no-brainer.

Thanks
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  #7  
Old 07-29-2003, 07:02 PM
dtf dtf is offline
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I know that the popular notion with motor oil grades is that C means compression and S means spark but in actuality it means 'Catepillar' and 'Service' or something similar, correct?
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  #8  
Old 07-29-2003, 10:15 PM
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C means compression igntion, I is the current spec, and I believe the -4 means four-stroke, which covers most currently manufactured automotive/truck diesels.

S means spark ignition and L is the current spec level.

You can read more about motor and gear oil specs at:

www.api.org

Duke
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  #9  
Old 08-01-2003, 08:46 PM
dtf dtf is offline
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I have just read an article that I knew I'd read before about the S and C designation in engine oil. Frank King from the MBCA said that the S means for service, as in a new dealership, gas staion, retail available, and that C meant commercial, for diesels, fleets and commercial vehicles. Is this accurate? I am a MBCA member but I don't know about the scope and depth of Frank King wrt MB. Not really important stuff but it's interesting.
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1994 E320 Wagon (Died @ 308,669 miles)
1995 E300 Diesel (228,000)
1999 E300 Turbodiesel ( died @ 255,000)
2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 AC 4X4 (115,000 miles) rusted frame - sold to chop shop
2011 Audi A4 Avant (165,000 miles) Seized engine - donated to Salvation Army
BMW 330 xi 6 speed manual (175,034 miles)
2014 E350 4Matic Wagon 128,000 miles
2018 Dodge Ram 21,000 miles
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  #10  
Old 08-01-2003, 09:01 PM
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Quote:
Dixon lawn mower
What kind of engine in the Dixon Larry? EVERY Briggs & Stratten engine I have ever run accross called for straight 30 wt.
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  #11  
Old 08-01-2003, 09:33 PM
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Air cooled mower engines run HOT, much hotter than water cooled engines. If you use multiviscosity oil, they burn it pretty fast.

Most of them are splash lubed, too, so thin oil won't lubricate the crank very well.

I've been using 15W50 Mobil 1 in everything this year -- needed to fill the mowers (they are getting a bit long in the tooth and using oil) and only had the Mobil 1 around, used all the 30 st last year. So far I have less consumption, but will see at the end of the year.

Peter
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  #12  
Old 08-02-2003, 03:18 AM
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I just switched a 380SL to Shell Rotella, the 420SEL gets Chevron Delo. I haven't seen problems, but both my parents say the Delo 15-40 makes both cars run smoother compared to Castrol 20-50. As for the lawnmower oil debate, my mower powered by a Honda GCV160 engine calls for 10W-30, there's a sticker that says "Genuine HONDA 10W-30 oil is recommended".
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  #13  
Old 08-02-2003, 01:10 PM
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I suspect, since I've not shopped much for one recently, that lawn mower engines are becoming a new breed -- overhead valves, high compression, and forced lubrication.

All of which will allow multiviscosity oil.

Peter
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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!
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  #14  
Old 08-02-2003, 11:05 PM
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I just bought a new husgvarna lawn mower they come with a 5.5 Honda overhead cam engine their commerical model comes with a bigger industrial brigs witch has an overhead valve engine, pretty funny! they recomend 10W 30, I use Delo 400 15 40 in both my diesels and my gassers........
William Rogers....
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  #15  
Old 08-04-2003, 11:21 PM
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www.amsoil.com

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