Is there a list of synthetic oils that are approved by Detroit Diesel for the 6V92TA? I'm considering my options for the day when Delo 100 is discontinued. I read on a Detroit Diesel document that there are synthetic oils that meet their requirements for two cycle engines, but they don't provide a list of them, which is what I need.
IF I was concerned about using the synthetic engine lubes, would be asking DDC shop for their recommendation and also contact John H, he is the AMSOIL man here, am sure they have an acceptable lube for the 40 wt requirement.
Royal Purple (40 DD) and Amsoil (15w-40) make a synthetic 40 wt but not sure if it's okay for the DD6v92. There's still over 500,000 2 cycle Detroits used worldwide according to MTU. Detroit Diesel 2-Cycle Engines: MTU Online (http://www.mtu-online.com/mtu-northamerica/products/detroit-diesel-2-cycle-engines/)
I would be skeptical and like Dave M says check what the Detroit people have to say. I think most of the old school guys would be hard to convince otherwise. I'm sure Pierce would like to weigh in on this one.
http://www.royalpurple.com.au/pdfs/27a_rp_motor_oil.pdf (http://www.royalpurple.com.au/pdfs/27a_rp_motor_oil.pdf)
AMSOIL SAE 15W-40 Heavy-Duty Diesel and Marine Motor Oil (http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/motor-oil/diesel/sae-15w-40-heavy-duty-diesel-and-marine-motor-oil/)
The Royal Purple 40 weight oil does appear to exceed even Delo 100 in terms of being low ash content. I think that's usually the factor that makes most oils unacceptable for two cycle Detroits. I'll see if I can find out what the cost and availability is and see if I can find anything from Detroit Diesel stating that the oil is acceptable for two cycle engines... Have you had any difficulty buying Delo 100 lately?
I use the Amsoil 15/40 and all other fluids are Amsoil and will not change from them, but to answer your question as I am in England till 3rd if you want to wait I will send a message to Amsoil Techs and ask what they recommend. They do have a 2 stroke oil but on web they seem to be for marine and bikes as well as race units. I do not know and have my Dealer # with me.
JohnH
Scott,
I had my oil changed last year and used Exxon XD3-40 (.80 low ash content) The specs are very close to Delo 100 straight 40 wt. at .76 low ash content according to Tejas Coach Works. Tejas Coach Works Factory DDC Oil Information Data Page (http://www.tejascoach.com/ddcoil.html)
Below 1% is good. Mine was changed at Johnson Diesel here in Biloxi. They have been around since 1971 and service the fire trucks, etc here and are big in the marine environment where there are plenty of Detroits still running. Home - Website (http://johnsondiesel.com)
Jerry
Castrol makes a 40wt that meets DDs specs. I used to sell Amsoil but I wouldn't use it in my 2 strokes.
TOM
My experience with synthetic oil in an old engine that has been run on regular oil has not been good. The synthetics clean out the system which results in oil leaks where there were none before. After switching back to regular oil the leaks eventually quit.
Maybe I need to stock up on Delo 100.
From various things I've read it sounds as if there is little to no advantage to running synthetic oil in an engine unless the oil change intervals can be extended, which typically isn't the case with a diesel motorhome. Therefore, if it were me I would stick with conventional oil and save the money.
I would not hold my breath waiting on Dello 100 to disappear from the marketplace.
2 stroke oil for fuel (gasoline) would be a touch overkill in a DD (but you never know.)
Euclid ruled the planet with their BIG DD MONSTER'S.
Ahh, the stories. pc
NAPA can't order Delo 100 anymore, even when I gave them a bottle of it so they could look it up in their computer and scan it on their price scanner. It's not in their computer at the store now and not on their website. It's not on Chevron's website anymore either. O'Reilly claims they can still order it so I'll attempt to get some there. My engine doesn't even have 100,000 miles on it yet so it's really not even broke in at this point. If I'm forced to use synthetic oil it'll probably be okay. According to Detroit Diesel's documents the oil change interval can be 100,000 miles with oil meeting their specifications, which Delo 100 does. The filter has to be changed at 25,000 miles and also has to meet their specifications. I'm at the point where I need to change the filter now. I'll send an oil sample to the lab. I've been using Delo 100 and a Detroit Diesel brand oil filter. If I have to switch to synthetic oil it would be great to use a multi-weight oil for easier starting in cold weather. If it can still do the 100,000 mile oil change interval that would be great too. I'll let you know if O'Reilly is successful when they order Delo 100 for me.
100,000 mile oil change interval???
Ever see the old Purolater toilet paper roll system to clean auto oil? Worked great then.
Most oils in cars retain almost all of their additive packages when changed as far as my understanding.
You are removing the carbon and dirt. Used to have used cleaned oil resold for many years long ago.
Subject to testing may be entirely possible.
My 1996 KTM engine had a toilet paper type filter in the oil system and went 10k between changes easily.
Doing oil analysis along with a good bypass filter can really let you get long life between oil changes.
Yes, Detroit Diesel says if the engine is used on the highway, not off road, and has the correct filter and oil, which Delo 100 is, you can change your filter at 25,000 and change your oil at 100,000. I posted the document on this forum at least once or twice before because everyone disagreed with me. Should I search for it again? I haven't posted it for about a year... If you think about this it's not a stretch because two cycle engines burn a gallon of oil about every 2,000 - 2,500 miles, so there's fresh oil being added regularly. The oil is straight 40 weight instead of multi-weight, so it's all "real" oil. The engine contains 7 gallons of oil and has a large filter. The filter is being changed every 25,000 miles, which gets rid of the contaminants. Detroit Diesel was by far the most common engine in commercial trucks 20 years ago and they didn't have any durability problems as a result of this 100,000 mile oil change. It's not like this is new or anything. It's a pretty good savings in oil... especially if I have to switch to expensive synthetic oil if Delo 100 is discontinued. :(
Scott is correct about the 100,000 oil change interval on Detroit 2 cycles. I change once a year or 10,000 as it's less than $100 to do it yourself.
For Detroit Diesel 2 cycle lovers, here is a great PDF from years ago advertising the "fuel squeezer" and at the bottom is the 100,000 mile oil change interval straight from the horse's mouth. See at: http://www.powerlinecomponents.com/literature/detroit_diesel/brochures/6v92ta-tta_automotive.pdf (http://www.powerlinecomponents.com/literature/detroit_diesel/brochures/6v92ta-tta_automotive.pdf)
Delo 100 will remain available and there are other straight 40/50 grades meeting the low ash requirement. Shell's Rotella is right on the edge and acceptable.
Due to the intake port configuration (no intake valves, just ports in the side of the cylinders), the 2 cycles will use about twice the oil as a Cummings/CAT per one thousand miles.
Pierce
I don't want to appear disagreeable, but the two-stroke Detroit Diesel was far from the most common engine in commercial trucks 20 years ago. The four-stroke "Series 60" engine may have been quite popular, but the only real similarity between the two-stroke Detroit engines and the four-stroke Detroit engines is the name "Detroit Diesel."
I'm sure the 100,000 mile oil change information could be accurate if one were putting 100,000 miles/year on an engine, but I can't believe it would be accurate for typical motorhome usage. Your "once a year or 10,000" is far more appropriate for typical motorhome usage.
Detroit Diesel didn't put any time limit on the oil change interval, even for motor home usage. I never start my engine unless I'm going a fairly long distance. My shortest trip is to the grocery store which is half an hour drive each direction. I'll send an oil sample to the lab and decide if I'm going to change the oil when I change the filter.
Scott, I know O'reilly can still order Delo 100 but I have run into a number of countermen that can't figure out how to do it. Tell them the part number is 100-40-1 and it is in the CHV catalogue. Right now it is listed at$18.89 per gallon, a $6.00 increase over the last I bought last fall.
Also, the miles on your engine don't matter so much on changing to a synthetic as the age of the seals. The performance of 22 year old seals are aided by the buildup of GOOP over time. The synthetic oil can clean out the goop resulting in leaks. IMHO
Changing to synthetic oil will be a last resort when I can't get Delo 100 anymore. For now I'm gonna order Delo 100 from O'Reilly and see if it comes in. I just wanted to have a plan B if you know what I mean.
When you pick your order from O'reilly be sure it's Delo 100. Last year I got home with three cases of Delo 400 before I noticed the mistake.. That's why, I always give them the part number now.
Yes, the 100K is for commercial use where lots of miles are seen in a fairly short time. Additives for combating rust and acids lose their effectiveness when in storage part of the year and then in limited use. That's why I change at 10K.
Price was less than thirteen dollars just a month ago for a gallon. Try the Chevron distributor. Even in our small town, they get it in a couple of days.
Delo 100 is not the only low ash in town.
Pierce
I agree with Pierce that in typical RV use, time out weighs miles for oil change intervals.
I was shocked when I saw Orielly's price on line tonight. I'm not there now but the local Detroit shop in OKC also had Delo 100 at a very good price last year so you might want to check the local Detroit shop before paying $ 18 per gallon.
I'm not a typical RV owner. I'm full time in my coach and I drive it every few days. It's never been stored since I've owned it. I'll let Detroit Diesel and the laboratory decide whether or not I change the oil at the time I change the filter. That's my perception of "reality", what the manufacturer and the laboratory tell me to do. If you have a four stroke diesel and you seldom drive it your oil change interval should be much more frequent.
Here's what Section 3 of a Detroit Diesel Truck Engine Manual (covering the two-stroke engines including the turbocharged 6V92) states:
"For highway trucks and buses, used for inter-city operation, the oil change interval is 100,000 miles. The drain interval may be extended beyond this point if supported by the results obtained from used lube oil analysis; it is recommended that you consult with your lube oil supplier in establishing any drain interval exceeding 100,000 miles."
"For city transit coaches and pick-up and delivery service, the oil change interval is 12,500 miles. The oil drain interval may be extended beyond 12,500 miles if supported by used oil analyses."
Your operation more closely resembles the "city transit" or "pick-up and delivery service" than it does the "highway trucks and buses, used for inter-city operation" operation and so the 100,000 mile oil change interval would not be appropriate.