Synthetic oil for diesel

ToBNamedL8r · April 19, 2005

Being new to diesels (and lovin' 'em) I need to know if you should use synthetic oils with the D-Max?

I've seen the arguments on the other boards and can't see why you couldn't use synthetics, but then again I am a rookie!

snoman · April 19, 2005

Being new to diesels (and lovin' 'em) I need to know if you should use synthetic oils with the D-Max?
I've seen the arguments on the other boards and can't see why you couldn't use synthetics, but then again I am a rookie!

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Not sure it would be very cost effective to spend up to 3x as much on a oil change that still needs to be changed even with syn because of fuel contaminants getting into it more so than with a gas engine. Regular changes with good conventional oil will provide that engine with a very long service life mechanically if left reasonable stock.

Machine · April 19, 2005

Everyones definition of cost effective differs. Take a look at Shell Rotella Synthetic. You can get it at Wallmart, and it's often on sale. The cost is nowhere near 3X that of branded dino oil.

Shell Rotella

snoman · April 20, 2005

Everyones definition of cost effective differs. Take a look at Shell Rotella Synthetic. You can get it at Wallmart, and it's often on sale. The cost is nowhere near 3X that of branded dino oil.

Shell Rotella

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Syn Rotella is over 4 bucks a quart even in a big jug verse non syn for about $1.60/quart and Walmart brand 15w40 CF oil for about 1.35/qt in a jug. (I use it in my tractor)

jccDuramax · April 20, 2005

If you're looking to save money then don't use synthetic.

If you want to use the best parts for your truck then use synthetic.

You will get many different opinions about how much value you're getting but I don't think you'll hear anyone say that Synthetic will NOT out perform regular oil.

It's your call.

B.T.W. I've been using synthetic on all my vehicles since '93 and I've used it in my '03 Duramax since my first oil change.

snoman · April 20, 2005

If you're looking to save money then don't use synthetic.

If you want to use the best parts for your truck then use synthetic.

You will get many different opinions about how much value you're getting but I don't think you'll hear anyone say that Synthetic will NOT out perform regular oil.

It's your call.

B.T.W. I've been using synthetic on all my vehicles since '93 and I've used it in my '03 Duramax since my first oil change.

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The only real world advantage I can see with syn in a oil burner would be if you lived in a extremely cold climate as it would help the cranking speed and starting some (it helped my gassers start at minus 40 without heat a few times) otherwise as hard on oil as diesels are it is better to be able to change them more often with dino oil and still be money ahead and see no loss of service life either. Modern dino oil is a lot better than it was 20 years ago.

Machine · April 20, 2005

ToBNamed: I stopped using syn in my diesels last year when my oil analysis reported that dino oil was giving me better protection at the same duration between changes. I went 5K on dino and 5K on synthetic and had both analyzed.

If you would like to go the synthetic route - Rotealla Syn is currently $12.88 a gallon at Walmart (in my region). You can also get it online for $12 a gallon nationwide. Check out Mobil, too

ToBNamedL8r · April 20, 2005

Thanks for the input. For right now I think I will probably stick with dino. I really appreciate all the posts.

bigdogs · April 20, 2005

Using Mobil1 Truck/SUV in my Duramax. Even after like 4K miles it still looks pretty clean.

snoman · April 21, 2005

Using Mobil1 Truck/SUV in my Duramax. Even after like 4K miles it still looks pretty clean.

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Those $50 plus oil changes are not for me.

bigdogs · April 21, 2005

I actually got it on sale so it was like $40 but wanted it for the extreme temps here.

snoman · April 21, 2005

I actually got it on sale so it was like $40 but wanted it for the extreme temps here.

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Good point but if oil is getting that hot in the engine you have other issues beside needing syn to cope with it. Regular motor oil is good up to 250 to 275 degrees F and starts to cook out at 300F and if it is getting that hot it need better cooling more so than better oil becaue hi temps shorten seal life too which syn does nothing to extend. I had a termostat stick in a old truck once and temp got to about 240 for a bit. I fixing it and about a week later it developed a bad rear main oil leak that required a seal replacement to cure.

Machine · April 21, 2005

Using Mobil1 Truck/SUV in my Duramax. Even after like 4K miles it still looks pretty clean.

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Those $50 plus oil changes are not for me.

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Good for you, Snoman.

snoman · April 21, 2005

Using Mobil1 Truck/SUV in my Duramax. Even after like 4K miles it still looks pretty clean.

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Those $50 plus oil changes are not for me.

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Good for you, Snoman.

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I do a few $20 syn changes in few vehicals here (2 of the 5 that I have). One of them has been using it for 16 years now and I started when Mobile one was a lot cheaper too.

bigdogs · April 22, 2005

Good point but if oil is getting that hot in the engine you have other issues beside needing syn to cope with it. Regular motor oil is good up to 250 to 275 degrees F and starts to cook out at 300F and if it is getting that hot it need better cooling more so than better oil becaue hi temps shorten seal life too which syn does nothing to extend. I had a termostat stick in a old truck once and temp got to about 240 for a bit. I fixing it and about a week later it developed a bad rear main oil leak that required a seal replacement to cure.

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Actually wasn't the heat I was really worried about, it was the cold winters. As for engine temp mine never gets over 220 so not real concerned about it cooking the seals.