Diesel Lubrication - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

E300D · #1 10-27-2004, 12:07 AM

This is taken from the AMSOIL website:

"Remains Stable at Temperature Extremes

AMSOIL Synthetic Blend 15W-40 does not change viscosity (thicken or thin) at temperature extremes like conventional motor oils. With its advanced semi-synthetic formulation, AMSOIL Synthetic Blend 15W-40 is significantly more shear stable than conventional oils, retaining its viscosity at temperatures and loads that break down conventional motor oils.

Does this mean that I can run 15W40 in winter time since this oil does not change its viscosity?

later down the page it says "Pour Point -36 °C or -32°F" so does that mean the oil will remain same thickness down to that temp?

I know it may be a dumb question, but I am wondering now if I should run 5W40 in winter or just run 15W40 all year round since it suggests that the viscosity does not change

psfred · #2 10-27-2004, 12:25 AM

Depends on how cold it gets where you are. If you must make subzero starts (minnesota, for instance) the 5W40 will help considerably. If you only get moderate winter temps (teens, for instance), the 15W 50 will be fine.

Synthetic oils have different viscosity characteristics than dino oils, and the viscosity ratings don't really reflect the flowability at low temps -- there is much more difference between a dino oil at 5W and 15W that synthetics at 5W and 15W, and the 5W will be MUCH thinner -- 5W30 Mobil 1 pours almost like water!

Peter

Palangi · #3 10-27-2004, 12:31 AM

Speaking as someone who grew up in Michigan (Brrrrrrrr) I wish 5w40 synthetic had been available when I lived up there. Trying to get my old diesel started in the winter with 20w40 in it was a real pain.

E300D · #4 10-27-2004, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psfred

Depends on how cold it gets where you are. If you must make subzero starts (minnesota, for instance) the 5W40 will help considerably. If you only get moderate winter temps (teens, for instance), the 15W 50 will be fine.

Synthetic oils have different viscosity characteristics than dino oils, and the viscosity ratings don't really reflect the flowability at low temps -- there is much more difference between a dino oil at 5W and 15W that synthetics at 5W and 15W, and the 5W will be MUCH thinner -- 5W30 Mobil 1 pours almost like water!

Peter

Where I live, Toronto, Canada, temp may reach -4 F and on average it hovers at around 14F, wouldy you go with a 5W40 or 15W50? The car will be parked outside and probably no block heater

boneheaddoctor · #5 10-27-2004, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E300D

Where I live, Toronto, Canada, temp may reach -4 F and on average it hovers at around 14F, wouldy you go with a 5W40 or 15W50? The car will be parked outside and probably no block heater

And you actually get the car to start a -4F without a block heater?

bhatt · #6 10-27-2004, 02:23 PM

I'm in Toronto also and have to leave mine out all day parked at a train station. I don't use a block heater at night, since the car is in a garage anyway.

Last winter on an especially cold day, I started the SDL when it was probably -5 or -10 degrees F outside. I recall it cranking at a speed of about 60 rpm (it turned over about once every second) and it got faster & faster until it started. This was after glowing it twice.

A good battery, good compression, valve adjustment (not on my car, but on my old 300SD it was vital!) and lots of prayers while cranking is ABSOLUTELY necessary after the car has been out all day!

PS. To keep this entirely on topic, I should mention what oil I use

I run Shell Rotella T 15W40 all year round.

Neal

Rick Miley · #7 10-27-2004, 02:43 PM

E300D, if you're worried about cold starting, then the 15W-40 Amsoil you mentioned will be superior to any dino oil. Better yet is 5W-40 Mobil Delvac-1, also known as Truck and SUV oil. In the states we can get it at Wal-Mart, but you may have more trouble locating it up there.

boneheaddoctor · #8 10-27-2004, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhatt

I'm in Toronto also and have to leave mine out all day parked at a train station. I don't use a block heater at night, since the car is in a garage anyway.

Last winter on an especially cold day, I started the SDL when it was probably -5 or -10 degrees F outside. I recall it cranking at a speed of about 60 rpm (it turned over about once every second) and it got faster & faster until it started. This was after glowing it twice.

A good battery, good compression, valve adjustment (not on my car, but on my old 300SD it was vital!) and lots of prayers while cranking is ABSOLUTELY necessary after the car has been out all day!

PS. To keep this entirely on topic, I should mention what oil I use

I run Shell Rotella T 15W40 all year round.

Neal

dang, I am running Dello 400 and at 20F last winter I couldn't get it to fire. But then I had to replace the battery last month. That could have been a factor.

Palangi · #9 10-27-2004, 04:39 PM

I took the 300D up to Michigan at Christmas time 4 or 5 years ago with 15w40 in it. It got about -5F a couple of nights but it started easily in the morning. I was actually quite surprised. If I still lived up there though, I would definitely be using the 5w40 in the winter.

phidauex · #10 10-27-2004, 06:06 PM

Mobil Delvac 1 rates highly. You can probably find it at Esso stations around Toronto, or check with their bulk supplier in town. Most truck stops should carry the Delvac 5w40 because its a pretty common oil for over-the-road trucks, especially in cold climates. I think its around 20 a gallon, not too expensive, all things considered.

Peace,
Sam

psfred · #11 10-27-2004, 07:07 PM

My, you live in the sunny south!

Definitely use the 5W40 Delvac if you can find it, it will make starting much easier on the battery. You might get a cold snap, even in Toranatah.

I lived in Sault Ste Marie, had to leave the car outside (primitive living, civilized people have heated garages!). My old Dodge Aries started reliably at -35F in February, every time. Why, I don't know, but it did!

I miss the snow, we just get four months of October here.

I DON'T miss the salt on the roads -- the Aires dissolved, including the fins on the rad.

Peter

E300D · #12 10-27-2004, 08:27 PM

Just on the side:

I wanted to know if anyone changes their non-synthetic oil and filter every 7.5k miles. Thats what the car's manual says.

Here in Canada, MB dealer would put in dino 15W40 Quaker State oil into a 95 E300D and have you drive for 7.5k miles. Isn't that littlle too long without an oil change on a dino oil?

I just want some opinions from you guys.

Going back to the orig subject, I think will settle with the following:

The OM 606 was used to mostly QS 15W40 and 10W30, dino oil, after 105 k miles, I will switch to:

*Synthetic 5W-40 European Engine Oil for winter

*SAE 15W-40 Synthetic Heavy Duty Diesel and Marine Motor Oil for summer.

I am thinking drain intervals of 6 - 6.5 k miles.

anyone oppose to my choice? Ohh shoot will i start another oil war?

E300D · #13 10-27-2004, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psfred

My, you live in the sunny south!

Definitely use the 5W40 Delvac if you can find it, it will make starting much easier on the battery. You might get a cold snap, even in Toranatah.

I lived in Sault Ste Marie, had to leave the car outside (primitive living, civilized people have heated garages!). My old Dodge Aries started reliably at -35F in February, every time. Why, I don't know, but it did!

I miss the snow, we just get four months of October here.

I DON'T miss the salt on the roads -- the Aires dissolved, including the fins on the rad.

Peter

Hmm, I dropped by Sue Ste Marie last February, I visited Soo College. In the morning, there was fresh snow but I could not see any salt on the roads. I though the city doesn't use salt in winter, just like many other towns in Northern Ontario. Ohh, it was an 8h drive to get back to Toronto. Hwy 17 East to Hwy 69 South then Hwy 400 South to Toronto

Hatterasguy · #14 10-27-2004, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E300D

Just on the side:

I wanted to know if anyone changes their non-synthetic oil and filter every 7.5k miles. Thats what the car's manual says.

Here in Canada, MB dealer would put in dino 15W40 Quaker State oil into a 95 E300D and have you drive for 7.5k miles. Isn't that littlle too long without an oil change on a dino oil?

I just want some opinions from you guys.

Going back to the orig subject, I think will settle with the following:

The OM 606 was used to mostly QS 15W40 and 10W30, dino oil, after 105 k miles, I will switch to:

*Synthetic 5W-40 European Engine Oil for winter

*SAE 15W-40 Synthetic Heavy Duty Diesel and Marine Motor Oil for summer.

I am thinking drain intervals of 6 - 6.5 k miles.

anyone oppose to my choice? Ohh shoot will i start another oil war?

By European Engine oil what do you mean? Delvac?
You really don't need to switch weights anymore, if you chose to run a 5w-40 oil it will be fine all year round. 6k mile changes are fine you could probably go longer if you get the oil tested.

psfred · #15 10-27-2004, 09:18 PM

Yeah, I used to live down Queen Street a bit from Soo College. Worked as a Post-Doc at Forestry Canada closer to town.

They were reducing the amount of salt they used when I was there, using more sand instead, but I didn't know they quit using salt altogether. Probably a good idea, as the ditches along the highway were turning into salt marshes!

Long drive through Sudbury and Parry Sound (avoid Parry Sound if there is fog -- seems like there was at least one serious crash on that highway every week in the winter!). I've made the trip with a friend.

Toronto is about the only North American city I would willing live in, very nice.

Wish I'd stayed, but too late now!

I usually had three foot or so of packed snow in the back yard by March, more in front as the snowplow deposited the entire amount from the intersection in MY drive and my fence trapped all the snow off my neighbors place in MY drive -- used to shovel twice a day, once to get out and once to get back in!

The car will survice the warrenty period with 7500 mile changes, but not by much. Conventional wisdom is 3000 to 3500 mile changes with dino oil (Volvo recommends a filter change every other oil change, at 7500 mile change intervals! Even with that big filter, I did one every change at 6000 on synthetic). This works, as we got 350,000 miles out of a 1992 Chevy van with a V6 at 'Speedy Oiler' on 3000 mile changes, no engine work. Three transmission, though!.

6000 miles on sythetic will be fine.

Peter