Oil

Dieselnut · 03-07-2006, 09:58 AM

Synthetic or Not? My Buddy says go with Shell Rotella 15W-30? This will be my first oil change as I bought the truck used. Any recommendations?

__________________
2004.5 3500 4X4 Quad Cab, K&N Air Filter w/3 inch drilled air box, EDGE Juice w/A2 Controller

***AK RAM*** · 03-07-2006, 10:20 AM

Synthetic is good stuff, but I don't think anyone would recommend switching to synthetic so soon. The engine should be well broken in before making that switch. Probably 20,000 miles or more.

__________________
03, 4X4, QUAD, LWB, Standard Output, 47RE, 3.73, ATS TC/VB, DTT Trans/Billet, Flex Plate, TorqLoc, RAD, Twins, Snow, Hot Cp3, Injectors, Cam, 315s, 8,200 lbs wet.
12.32 @ 109 Videos: Vid 1 & Vid 2

Add yourself to the Cummins Forum Map.

Last edited by AK RAM : 03-07-2006 at 10:24 AM.

Dieselnut · 03-07-2006, 10:23 AM

IS the Shell Rotella 15W040 good then?

__________________
2004.5 3500 4X4 Quad Cab, K&N Air Filter w/3 inch drilled air box, EDGE Juice w/A2 Controller

***AK RAM*** · 03-07-2006, 10:26 AM

Yeah, Rotella 15w40 is really good stuff and easy to find.

__________________
03, 4X4, QUAD, LWB, Standard Output, 47RE, 3.73, ATS TC/VB, DTT Trans/Billet, Flex Plate, TorqLoc, RAD, Twins, Snow, Hot Cp3, Injectors, Cam, 315s, 8,200 lbs wet.
12.32 @ 109 Videos: Vid 1 & Vid 2

Add yourself to the Cummins Forum Map.

Last edited by AK RAM : 03-10-2006 at 09:46 PM.

NEOREGON Bomber · 03-07-2006, 11:08 AM

FWIW -
After proper engine breakin, another synthetic option is Schaeffer's #9000 Supreme 9000 SAE 5W-40W . Link is here - Schaeffer 9000 Tech Sheet . One issue is availability because it is distributed through dealers and typically not in stores. Am currently running Schaeffer #7000 Semi-Synthetic 15W-40W and am planning to switch to #9000 at next oil change. Typically run 8500-9000 miles between oil changes and all oil analyses have come back with good numbers that say I should extend my oil drain interval. This is on a 1999 24 Valve engine.

__________________
99 Deep Amethyst 2500 SLT SB QC 4x4, Raider Canopy, DTT Tranny & 89% TC, 3.55 differentials, CATCHER, Mach 2 Sticks, Dodgezilla 14cm Wastegated, 4" Exhaust w/ Aeroturbine 4040, AEM DryFlow Air Filter, DSS, DNT/SS Trackbar, Rancho 9000's, Bridgestone 265/75 Dueler A/T Revos, Luverne Nerf Bars, Grizzly Brushguard, Warn driving lights, FIA Winter Front/Bug Screen, Uniden CB & PA, Bearcat 796 Scanner, Alpine AM/FM/CD, Husky Liner Splashguards, Schaeffers lubrication, Fleetguard filtration and other misc goodies.

"Let 'er buck"
xtremecomputing.us

Dieselnut · 03-07-2006, 11:21 AM

What is the recommended change interval using the Shell Rotella? some say 3,000 miles like a car, some say 7K and I have even heard 15K if not doing any towing. I am planning to change the fuel filter at each oil change. Is this necessary?

__________________
2004.5 3500 4X4 Quad Cab, K&N Air Filter w/3 inch drilled air box, EDGE Juice w/A2 Controller

SmokinDiesel · 03-07-2006, 12:28 PM

I change my oil at 5k ...
I dont tow or haul anything ...

I currently am not running synthetic ... and Im not sure if I plan on making the switch or not. IF I do ... I will still change at 5k ... I personally dont like leaving the same oil in there long. So for me ... the price of syn. probally wouldn't justify doing it ... other than the higher heat capabilitys ... and so on.

__________________
Mike Charlton - Keystone Diesel
1996 Dodge Cummins 12 Valve
580hp - 1178 ft lbs
Still Shooting for 600+ ....

Dieselnut · 03-07-2006, 01:24 PM

What about your fuel filter?

__________________
2004.5 3500 4X4 Quad Cab, K&N Air Filter w/3 inch drilled air box, EDGE Juice w/A2 Controller

***Big Blue*** · 03-07-2006, 02:08 PM

The Rotella stinks a bit, I went with Chevron Delo...great deal at Costco! At 20K it's AMSOIL!

__________________
Big Blue

'05 Patriot Blue 3500 SLT, 2" Leveling Kit, KORE Billet Drop Block Kit, AeroTurbine 4040, AEM Intake w/Amsoil Ea Filter, Silencer Ring MIA, ReTrax, Westin Platinum Tubes, Putco Billet, ISSPRO EGT, Boost & Tranny Temp, RokkTech, Edge EZ, PML Diff Covers and Tranny Pan, CompuStar Remote Start & Alarm, Toyo 285 AT's

Greaseburner · 03-07-2006, 03:19 PM

I would stick with Chevron Delo. Change it often. As far as Im concerned. Clean conventional beats dirty synthetic. I change mine every 3000 miles. I consider it cheap insurance.

Dieselnut · 03-07-2006, 03:22 PM

Roger that Greaseburner...I'm leaning towards the same. Being conservative, how often do you change the fuel filter

__________________
2004.5 3500 4X4 Quad Cab, K&N Air Filter w/3 inch drilled air box, EDGE Juice w/A2 Controller

illflem · 03-07-2006, 06:22 PM

I change my fuel filter about every 25k but have a fuel pressure gauge to monitor the condition. So far it's never shown any plugging. A fuel pressure gauge will pay for itself fast in avoiding unnecessary changes.

Having a mileage number for changing the fuel filter is sort of lame, a bad load of fuel could have you plugged in ten miles. Friend of mine went 82k before the filter that came with his new truck finally plugged.

__________________
Bill
'95 2500 4wd auto
'95 3500 5 speed heavy hauler
Both far from stock

03-07-2006, 09:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
Dieselnut Cummins Fan Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 46 Dieselnut's Truck Pics	Oil Synthetic or Not? My Buddy says go with Shell Rotella 15W-30? This will be my first oil change as I bought the truck used. Any recommendations? __________________ 2004.5 3500 4X4 Quad Cab, K&N Air Filter w/3 inch drilled air box, EDGE Juice w/A2 Controller

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03-07-2006, 10:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
*AK RAM* Tech Specialist Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Alaska Posts: 2,610 AK RAM's Truck Pics	Synthetic is good stuff, but I don't think anyone would recommend switching to synthetic so soon. The engine should be well broken in before making that switch. Probably 20,000 miles or more. __________________ 03, 4X4, QUAD, LWB, Standard Output, 47RE, 3.73, ATS TC/VB, DTT Trans/Billet, Flex Plate, TorqLoc, RAD, Twins, Snow, Hot Cp3, Injectors, Cam, 315s, 8,200 lbs wet. 12.32 @ 109 Videos: Vid 1 & Vid 2 Add yourself to the Cummins Forum Map. Last edited by AK RAM : 03-07-2006 at 10:24 AM.

03-07-2006, 10:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
Dieselnut Cummins Fan Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 46 Dieselnut's Truck Pics	IS the Shell Rotella 15W040 good then? __________________ 2004.5 3500 4X4 Quad Cab, K&N Air Filter w/3 inch drilled air box, EDGE Juice w/A2 Controller

03-07-2006, 10:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
*AK RAM* Tech Specialist Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Alaska Posts: 2,610 AK RAM's Truck Pics	Yeah, Rotella 15w40 is really good stuff and easy to find. __________________ 03, 4X4, QUAD, LWB, Standard Output, 47RE, 3.73, ATS TC/VB, DTT Trans/Billet, Flex Plate, TorqLoc, RAD, Twins, Snow, Hot Cp3, Injectors, Cam, 315s, 8,200 lbs wet. 12.32 @ 109 Videos: Vid 1 & Vid 2 Add yourself to the Cummins Forum Map. Last edited by AK RAM : 03-10-2006 at 09:46 PM.

03-07-2006, 11:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
NEOREGON Bomber Cummins Fan Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NorthEast Oregon Posts: 36 NEOREGON Bomber's Truck Pics	FWIW - After proper engine breakin, another synthetic option is Schaeffer's #9000 Supreme 9000 SAE 5W-40W . Link is here - Schaeffer 9000 Tech Sheet . One issue is availability because it is distributed through dealers and typically not in stores. Am currently running Schaeffer #7000 Semi-Synthetic 15W-40W and am planning to switch to #9000 at next oil change. Typically run 8500-9000 miles between oil changes and all oil analyses have come back with good numbers that say I should extend my oil drain interval. This is on a 1999 24 Valve engine. __________________ 99 Deep Amethyst 2500 SLT SB QC 4x4, Raider Canopy, DTT Tranny & 89% TC, 3.55 differentials, CATCHER, Mach 2 Sticks, Dodgezilla 14cm Wastegated, 4" Exhaust w/ Aeroturbine 4040, AEM DryFlow Air Filter, DSS, DNT/SS Trackbar, Rancho 9000's, Bridgestone 265/75 Dueler A/T Revos, Luverne Nerf Bars, Grizzly Brushguard, Warn driving lights, FIA Winter Front/Bug Screen, Uniden CB & PA, Bearcat 796 Scanner, Alpine AM/FM/CD, Husky Liner Splashguards, Schaeffers lubrication, Fleetguard filtration and other misc goodies. "Let 'er buck" xtremecomputing.us

03-07-2006, 11:21 AM	#6 (permalink)
Dieselnut Cummins Fan Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 46 Dieselnut's Truck Pics	What is the recommended change interval using the Shell Rotella? some say 3,000 miles like a car, some say 7K and I have even heard 15K if not doing any towing. I am planning to change the fuel filter at each oil change. Is this necessary? __________________ 2004.5 3500 4X4 Quad Cab, K&N Air Filter w/3 inch drilled air box, EDGE Juice w/A2 Controller

03-07-2006, 12:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
SmokinDiesel Tech Specialist/Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: California, Pa Posts: 2,827 SmokinDiesel's Truck Pics	I change my oil at 5k ... I dont tow or haul anything ... I currently am not running synthetic ... and Im not sure if I plan on making the switch or not. IF I do ... I will still change at 5k ... I personally dont like leaving the same oil in there long. So for me ... the price of syn. probally wouldn't justify doing it ... other than the higher heat capabilitys ... and so on. __________________ Mike Charlton - Keystone Diesel 1996 Dodge Cummins 12 Valve 580hp - 1178 ft lbs Still Shooting for 600+ ....

03-07-2006, 01:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
Dieselnut Cummins Fan Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 46 Dieselnut's Truck Pics	What about your fuel filter? __________________ 2004.5 3500 4X4 Quad Cab, K&N Air Filter w/3 inch drilled air box, EDGE Juice w/A2 Controller

03-07-2006, 02:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
*Big Blue* Blue Thunder Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 64 Big Blue's Truck Pics	The Rotella stinks a bit, I went with Chevron Delo...great deal at Costco! At 20K it's AMSOIL! __________________ *Big Blue* '05 Patriot Blue 3500 SLT, 2" Leveling Kit, KORE Billet Drop Block Kit, AeroTurbine 4040, AEM Intake w/Amsoil Ea Filter, Silencer Ring MIA, ReTrax, Westin Platinum Tubes, Putco Billet, ISSPRO EGT, Boost & Tranny Temp, RokkTech, Edge EZ, PML Diff Covers and Tranny Pan, CompuStar Remote Start & Alarm, Toyo 285 AT's

03-07-2006, 03:19 PM	#10 (permalink)
Greaseburner Cummins Fan Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 60 Greaseburner's Truck Pics	I would stick with Chevron Delo. Change it often. As far as Im concerned. Clean conventional beats dirty synthetic. I change mine every 3000 miles. I consider it cheap insurance.

03-07-2006, 03:22 PM	#11 (permalink)
Dieselnut Cummins Fan Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 46 Dieselnut's Truck Pics	Roger that Greaseburner...I'm leaning towards the same. Being conservative, how often do you change the fuel filter __________________ 2004.5 3500 4X4 Quad Cab, K&N Air Filter w/3 inch drilled air box, EDGE Juice w/A2 Controller

03-07-2006, 06:22 PM	#12 (permalink)
illflem Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Montana Posts: 1,308 illflem's Truck Pics	I change my fuel filter about every 25k but have a fuel pressure gauge to monitor the condition. So far it's never shown any plugging. A fuel pressure gauge will pay for itself fast in avoiding unnecessary changes. Having a mileage number for changing the fuel filter is sort of lame, a bad load of fuel could have you plugged in ten miles. Friend of mine went 82k before the filter that came with his new truck finally plugged. __________________ Bill '95 2500 4wd auto '95 3500 5 speed heavy hauler Both far from stock