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Topic: Synthetic oil use (Read 1103 times) previous topic - next topic

Synthetic oil use

Has anyone switched to synthetic oil in their Detroit diesel (8.2) Series 60 after it had about 60K miles on it? Would oil consumption go up? MPG? I once switched oil to synthetic on a 454 Chev engine with disastrous results. It had about 75K on it and ended up using a quart of oil every 100 miles. Smoked exhaust too!! :o
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Synthetic oil use

Reply #1
Nighthawk,
I personnaly would not make the switch.  The added expense is not going to get you many more miles either on the engine or per gallon.  To me it's not cost effective for the engine.  The transmission or transaxle is another story, though.
 
Also you may want to search the topic here as this may have already been discussed.  I would stay with the manufacturer recommended oil.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Synthetic oil use

Reply #2
Big difference between a Series 60 and an 8.2L
Like, 6 liters, to start...
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Synthetic oil use

Reply #3
Big difference between a Series 60 and an 8.2L
Like, 6 liters, to start...

YUP, it would be the 8.2 liter V8 four stroke DD in his rig.

And, no, I would not change oils in that age engine.

Brett Wolfe
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Synthetic oil use

Reply #4
Please tell me more about what to use in the Diff. and the trany. The Tramission fluid was changed less than 5,000 miles ago but smells a little burned.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Synthetic oil use

Reply #5
Quote
Please tell me more about what to use in the trany.
The Transmission fluid was changed less than 5,000 miles ago but smells a little burned.

http://beamalarm.com/Documents/transynd-fluid-change-interval.htm
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Synthetic oil use

Reply #6
Barry,

I have been hesitant to chime in on this one because I am just not familiar with the fluid requirements of the older-generation Allison used on the U300.  Allison 3000 and 4000, I am familiar with.

Kent, here is a document that covers all Allison transmissions.  http://www.allisontransmission.com/servlet/DownloadOnDemand?ApplicationID=155&DownloadID=5&Preview=1

Brett Wolfe
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Synthetic oil use

Reply #7
Big difference between a Series 60 and an 8.2L
Like, 6 liters, to start...
Dave is right!  Completely different engine, and not real popular. 

It is aka the Detroit Diesel 8.2 Fuel Pincher, and no where near the engine the Detroit 60 series is.  Weak link is the turbo which likes to disintegrate.  I would stick with the oil recommended for the engine.  But with the turbo being the weak I would consider doing some research concerning synthetic because the turbo problem could be lubrication starvation. But there is no way I could recommend a synthetic for that engine without more research.
1994 U225
build #4514

 

Re: Synthetic oil use

Reply #8
Hey Everybody, thanks for the input. The reason I brought it up was because a close friend that worked for FWD (Four Wheel Drive) in Clintonville, WI where they make fire trucks recommended I go to synthetic oil. FWD has built a lot of trucks that had the Detroit Diesel engine over the 30 plus years my friend worked there but I wasn't  totally confident doing it until I consulted with the great people on the Foretravel Site.

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(as an aside: After seeing all the happy faces on the left side profiles they make me wonder if it is because we all have Foretravel Coaches or is it because everyone is wearing a broken watch that only reads five o'clock?)

nighthawk
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD