I had service done on my 6v92 last year at Stewart & Stevenson in Denver. For oil they used 15w40 which I now know is a no no for this motor. To remediate this I've been on a search for the recommended Delo 100 40wt.
Started at NAPA. None in stock but they can order it. A week later I go in to pick it up. It's not Delo 100 but Delo 400. They can't get Delo 100. Next I tried O'Reilly Auto Parts. Not in stock there but they can order it from a warehouse in Montana. Great I'll take 6 gallons. Another week later I go to O'Reilly to pick it up. They have the oil but only 3 gallons. The oil was in a box with about a half an inch of dust on it! He checks inventory with his computer and says they don't have anymore in any of their warehouses.
When I had my emissions tested I noticed the shop did oil changes. I call and talk to the guy and he says no problem his supplier can get it. It's going to cost me about twice as much but at this point I don't care! When I show up for the appointment I remind the owner that I need Delo 100 40wt. He says no problem. I asked to see the oil. He says it hasn't been delivered yet but he'll take a picture of it and text me it when it shows. All right I'm on my way. Dori and I take off to do some work on the condo. We're at the condo for about 5 minutes and the oil change guy calls and says that his supplier delivered Velo 40wt. Grumble grumble I go pick up the coach.
So now I'm now I'm at FOT I figure if anywhere they can fix me up. I talk to Billy Jack about an oil change and explain I want Delo 100 40wt. He says Oh... well they use Delo 400. Calls over to parts and asks if they can get Delo 100. Parts says they will check and get back. OK fine let me know. Go back to my coach and start cleaning the bugs off the front. Billy Jack calls and says they can get my coach in right now. I had about 8 things on my work order so was thrilled they could get started today. I drive the coach around, drop it off and head for the customer lounge. After about 30 minutes I head over to the shop just to check on things and talk to the tech asking if they were able to get the Delo 100. He says he doesn't know anything about it and points to the 15w40 oil tank and says that's what he was going to use. Arggggg! Asked him to check with Billy Jack. He says OK. About a half an hour later he comes back and says they can't get Delo 100 and shows me a white paper that says Delo 400 is a direct replacement for Delo 100. I shuffle my feet and ah crap a few times and finally figure the 40wt has got to be better than the 15w40 that's in there and give the ok to use the Delo 400.
I go back to the customer lounge read the white paper. When I get to the last paragraph I see that Delo 400 is recommended for all 4-cycle engines but they recommend Delo 100 for 2-cycle engines. Argggg! Again! Apparently I'm the only one who has ever brought this up and Foretravel has been using Delo 400 (and probably 15w40) since the 90's.
I check on Detroit Diesel 2 Cycle 2 Stroke Engine operating Oil Tips (http://www.tejascoach.com/tips.html) and see that Delo 400 is .35% out of spec for ash content. I'm not sure if that much out of spec is worth all my angst but I'm pretty sure it's going to nag at me until I get the right stuff.
Does anyone know of a place in or near Nacogdoches that I can get Delo 100?? I willing to drive a 100 miles to get it and have FOT trade it out. Can any of you 6v92 guys out there help a another 6v92 guy out?
See ya
ken
Try Shell Rotella 40wt
Ken, I have heard that O'Reileys carry it. BUT- I have gone to the distributor- Taylor Oil co 817-831-0601
They are located just east of I-35 and south of I-820 loop. Call first. I always buy a case.
Thanks Steve that is on my short list but I have the 3 gallons of Delo 100 so I would only need 3 more gallons. If I can't come up with Delo 100 I'll be looking for Exxon XD-3 and if I can't find it then on to Rotella! (as per the recommendation from Tejas Coach Works)
Any tips on where I can find either of those appreciated also!
See ya
ken
Am totally surprised Stuart Stevenson would use a 15W-40, as they are / were a large DD distributor.
Yes Shell 40, or any quality 40 wt oil from a name brand supplier will be fine, I wound up using NAPA brand name 40 wt oil and still use it today in all out DD 2 stroke engines as it is in stock at our local NAPA store.
Crazy
Dave M
@Dave I think most shops have the new kid do the oil changes. They were probably only a couple of years old when the 2-cycles went away...
see ya
ken
Any Chevron distributor will have Delo 100. I have the distributor throw several cases on the truck to the local dealer. No charge for doing it and the price is very reasonable. Just Google for the closest dist. Rotella is OK but right on the borderline for ash content. Usually as the extra ingredients increase, so does the ash content.
A lot of shops don't read the literature from the oil companies. When the older guys retire, the information is lost. Chevron spells it out very specifically.
Pierce
This probably won't help you in North Texas but the old 2 strokes were, and still are used in work boats. I'm stuck living for the time being outside New Orleans. If there is one thing they have here is boats.. I get most of my parts (I work on cars for a living) at a local O'Rielys parts store. They didn't have it but when I asked if they could get it I was told no problem. My point is a boat place would be just as good a place to get it as a car or truck place.. Welcome to the family! Great folks here.Good real world advice has saved me tons of money and heartache....
Somewhere in my travels, maybe here, someone posted that Wal Mart Brand Oil was refined and packaged by one of the Majors. I am thinking about using their 20-40wt in the 3208 next change. Back to Delo, in the 80's we were advised to switch from Delo 100 to Delo 400-40wt. in the farm tractors due the low Sulphur Diesel being mandated by the Feds.
@Steve That's probably true for the 4-cycle motors but 2-cycle diesels need a low ash content. They also have to be API rated CF-2.
Also from http://www.dooilco.com/pdf/Motor%20Oils/Chevron%20Delo%20400/Delo%20400.pdf (http://www.dooilco.com/pdf/Motor%20Oils/Chevron%20Delo%20400/Delo%20400.pdf)
Chevron Delo 400 oils are not recommended for use in DDC two-stroke engines.
see ya
ken
Ken, I just purchased two cases, 6 gallons, from O'Reilly here in OKC for $12.80 per gallon. I already had one case. They had to bring it in from the warehouse but they do have it. I have asked at the store several times in the past and was told that they do not carry Delo 100, 40wt but I just tell them that "yes you do have it, call the warehouse again" then I get the Delo 100. It is listed on their web site. I have also received a case of Delo 400 mixed in with the Delo 100 so check the labels on the case or gallon container. I also have purchased Delo 100 from United Engineering, the factory authorized Detroit dealer here in OKC.
Regarding the use of Delo 400, the old timers, their two stroke experts, at the Detroit shop here in OKC agree that only Delo 100, 40 or 50 weight should be used. I was in the shop at FOT one day and noticed one of their techs putting Delo 400, 15/40 in a U300 with a 6V92. I asked Alton if that was acceptable and he immediately told the tech to drain the 400 and order in Delo 100. They did not have it in stock but they did get it. The older guys in the shop know that Delo 100 is required for our two stroke engines. Wayne is probably their best Detroit expert.
This is one reason I change my own oil, sometimes "with a little help from my friends". I also started using Blackwood Labs for oil testing. That cuts down on the frequency I have to change my oil. FWIW
@Kent Thanks for the info. I did find a Chevron distributor in Jacksonville, TX that I plan to call on Monday to see if they have a client here in Nac I can order from. If not I may just drive the 60 miles up there and get it myself. I'll check the O'Reilly here in Nac first though.
I was planning on doing a stealth oil change in a campground but can't even get the oil to do it! I may buy a 55 gallon drum and keep it in my storage locker in Denver if I can find it. Then when the zombie apocalypse comes I can resell it back to all of you 6v92 guys. :)
see ya
ken
To save headaches, visit: http://www.deloperformance.com/choose-delo/marketer-locator.aspx (http://www.deloperformance.com/choose-delo/marketer-locator.aspx) and enter your zip code for the closest distributor.
Locator for Exxon/Mobile products including the 2 cycle approved mono-grade XD-3, visit: http://www.exxonmobil.com/Lubes/business_distributor.aspx (http://www.exxonmobil.com/Lubes/business_distributor.aspx)
And last, for Citgo Premium Mystik Fleet Oil, enter zip code here: http://www.mystiklubes.com/Locator/MystikLocator.jsp (http://www.mystiklubes.com/Locator/MystikLocator.jsp)
All three oils were below the benchmark ash content for 2 cycle diesels in a previous comparison.
Pierce
Pierce, you must the a "Master of the Internet" or have way too much time on your hands. I lean toward the "Master" title. Thanks for that info. I was getting worried that Delo 100 might become unavailable.
@Pierce Thanks! Looks like there is an Exxon distributor in Lufkin. That's only 20 miles away.
Thanks for the help everyone. I'm going to try for Delo 100 but if unavailable I'll go with Exxon XD-3. I'll let you know what happens tomorrow.
see ya
ken
Very welcome! They were in order from lowest ash content. Did not list Shell Rotella as it is available almost everywhere in mono-grade and just hits the cutoff point for recommended ash content. Trusting that the ash content has stayed the same for the last few years for all these oils.
Pierce
Talked to Fred at O'Reilly this morning. He said no they don't have any Delo 100 but he'll check with the warehouse. Calls me back and says they can have it tomorrow out of Dallas. $13 a gallon. Ordered 9 gallons. I'll believe it when I see it! :D
see ya
ken
I got oil! FOT is trading it out as I type. Now I'm happy...
Pics to prove it!
see ya
ken
ok that is one of the funniest posts in a VERY LONG TIME!
txforetravel, Dori is in Seattle and Ken has WAY to much time on his hands. We were together in Moab when she had to fly out. I asked if I could do anything to help and she stated keep Ken out of trouble...Told her I wasn't looking for a full time job....We left ASAP... :)) :)) :))