another oil thread - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

leathermang · #1 06-07-2003, 11:17 AM

I buy Delo400 for my tractor and car in five gallon buckets...
Is there any disadvantage to useing it in gasoline engines ?
Thanks,

TX76513 · #2 06-07-2003, 11:24 AM

Greg, I used Delo in our F-150 for 10 years. Never had any engine issues.

JimSmith · #3 06-07-2003, 12:27 PM

Greg,

I have been using Delvac 1 in all my cars after putting in the E300D TurboDiesel the first time. The ease of cleaning my hands and anything the stuff dripped on convinced me it was much more capable of keeping the soot and other byproducts of being used in the engine in suspension. The first few changes in either gas car produced some unusual levels of discoloration, and that is beginning to subside now. But it still wipes to a clean surface much easier than non-Diesel rated oils did. Other than that feature, I am not sure there is a significant other difference between Diesel rated oils available today and straight gas engine rated oils. While it has only been a year or so, I have not seen any problems with the use of Diesel rated oils on my gas cars. Go for it, Jim

leathermang · #4 06-07-2003, 12:48 PM

Thanks guys... I had a feeling it would be ok,, but did not want to find out the hard way... LOL

JHZR2 · #5 06-07-2003, 03:32 PM

Id say it depends on what kind of car its used it. I know when I used 5w-40 synth in my ZR2 (specced for 5w-30), I noticed a slight bit more sluggishness at highway speeds, because the hydrodynamic drag from the heavier oil in the bearings than what I was used to with mobil 1 (a lighter 30 wt 5w-30).

That said, tolerances and clearances in cars over even the last few years havent changed much from ten or 20 years ago. So, even though it seemd that power was down, it may have been protecting better, as the oil layers were thicker. All the push of Ford, Honda, etc to use 5w20 is for CAFE/EPA. The same cars and engines in other countries use heavier oil, eother for protection reasons or volatility / sludge reasons. Longevity of engines using the lighter oils will have to be determined.

OK, enough rambling. Youre in TX, so you dont have to worry about the oil being too thick when cold (I wouldnt use a 15 wt oil in a car not specced for it in NJ/DE for example, unless it was the middle of the summer, because it is more important to get oil flowing, than weight at cold startup).

Diesel oils tend to have more detergents / dispersants than gasoline oils. However, they tend to not have friction modifier additives. They do tend to have a LOT of extreme pressure additives (like Zinc) to protect that way.

I have seen a lot of used oil analyses using delo in BMWs (which reccomend 15w-40), and the delo is a great oil in there. Considering your climate, I think it is a great choice in most any engines, particularly an older or european one. The only way to see if its really protecting as well, though, would be to analyze it against a lighter oil, both drivien under the same conditions.

But thats too much worry. Delo is one of the best diesel oils, go for it!

Sorry for the long post, I like to ramble about oil...

JMH

Stevo · #6 06-08-2003, 10:10 AM

Greg

I used Delo 400 off the tugs for years in what ever car I had at the time...good stuff.

Peter Fearing · #7 06-08-2003, 11:45 AM

180,000 miles using Castrol Syntec 5W50 has allowed my MB to run flawlessly. There is no oil used between 5000 mile oil changes and I would never ever allow a dealer to sevice, adjust or repair my MB even if needed. My advice, stay away from most dealers as they usually don,t have a clue about working on a MB. Keep in mind that these cars require very little maintenace.

leathermang · #8 06-08-2003, 11:47 AM

JMH and Stevo, Thanks guys.. more confimation of my impulse... most of my cars are over 200k anyway and in the heat all the time... so I use heavier oil than most other people....
Straight 30wt in air cooled gas engines... and straight 40wt in diesels and old cars. Used to use 20-50 Castrol in Toyotas and Subes and VWs......
Thanks Peter, you slipped in there while I was composing...

rickjordan · #9 06-08-2003, 07:45 PM

What does your owner's manual say. Is 15W-40 ok for the temps you will be in. Being that it is now Summer 15W-40 will be fine. Look at the ratings on the bottle it does meet the latest gasoline ratings.