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changing the brand of oil

I have only used Chevron Delo 400 upon Brett's recommendation but it can be hard to get. So I was wondering if I went to shell rotella my engine would know the difference. Shell is more readily available and has more sales also.
John
1998 U270 34'

Re: changing the brand of oil

Reply #1 –
Quote from: John/Pat –
I have only used Chevron Delo 400 upon Brett's recommendation but it can be hard to get. So I was wondering if I went to shell rotella my engine would know the difference. Shell is more readily available and has more sales also.
That's odd, out west, Delo for us types is available everywhere.  ???
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: changing the brand of oil

Reply #2 –
Before I retired I managed fleet vehicles. Lubricants were purchased by bid every so many years. Over the years we used Quaker State, Kendall, Shell and Penzoil products. Always spec'd the suppliers best API grade and SAE 15W40. We could usually expect around 1 million miles before in frame overhaul on our HD diesel engines which were mostly DD 60 series and Cummins M11 and ISM.  We followed the engine manufacturers oil change requirements at a minimum.
I have looked at the internal parts of hundreds of engines and 99% looked like they were new. The other 1% almost always had an incident where there was an engine coolant over temp event.

I use Chevron Delo but would be happy with Rotella.

Steve
Steve & Sandy
2003 U320 4220 WCDS, build#6160
Motorcade #17794
USMC '67-'71

Re: changing the brand of oil

Reply #3 –
Quote from: SteveB –
I use Chevron Delo but would be happy with Rotella.

 b^.^d  b^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: changing the brand of oil

Reply #4 –
FWIW,
I have a 2002 7.3 diesel ford truck with 285K miles (bought new).  It runs great, great compression (don't need glow plugs to start except near or below freezing).  I have always used Rotella and do not have an issue with it.  I think it is great.  Best of Travels.
Best of Travels

Re: changing the brand of oil

Reply #5 –
I order Delo on Amazon Prime.
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: changing the brand of oil

Reply #6 –
Jeff & Sandy,  What do you mean that you buy Delo from Amazon?  We just purchased from Walmart for $12.57/gal and only see about $20/gal prices on Amazon, even with 5-gal bucket pricing.  BTW, we sometimes see Costco/Sam's Club 3-gal package on sale too.

Re: changing the brand of oil

Reply #7 –
My local walmart has( 5) gallon jugs not enough for a oil change. Farm and Fleet has case piled on top of each other 5' high of Shell Rotella. That is why I want to switch but do not want a problem.
John
1998 U270 34'

Re: changing the brand of oil

Reply #8 –
There off, and running. Now for the popcorn oil ^.^d
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: changing the brand of oil

Reply #9 –
I use Delo or Rotella which ever I come across for the best price. As long as the oil meets or exciedes the engine specs,the motor doesn't know the difference. There also folks that run the synthetic and stretch drain intervals guide a bit.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: changing the brand of oil

Reply #10 –
The U295 that I bought about 18 months ago showed a history of using just about every brand of HD diesel oil available in random order.  I put in Rotella as soon as I bought it, ran about 5000 miles and had an oil analysis.  That analysis seems to indicate that the variety of oil brands didn't hurt the little Cat any.
Regards

1997 U295 40 with CAT 3126

Re: changing the brand of oil

Reply #11 –
The main thing is GOOD oil, much of it comes from one refinery in an area.

I have always thought the filter was as important if not more important than

the brand of oil. The cheapest thing a person can buy is the best oil and air filter

available. Also pay special attention to your air filter. A dirty filter can cause

more damage to an engine than about anything. As Steve said above the trucking

companies use different brands of oil in trucks, but the main thing is that they

were getting over a million miles out of the same engines we have in our motor

homes. The most important thing he mentioned was overheating an engine, that

one thing has shortened or ended an engine's life more than any other cause other

than dirt entering through the air intake system.

Carter-

Re: changing the brand of oil

Reply #12 –
I once walked into an auto parts store that had a pile of familiar blue Delo gallon jugs by the door and purchased one.  I was in need of a single gallon to change generator.  Just as I was trashing the empty gallon, noticed it was NOT 10w40.  I was surprised as I always thought Delo only came in 10w40 because I never saw a choice in stores.  From that I learned that while 10w40 must be the most popular weight for Delo, they do make other weight oils.  Now I double check.

Re: changing the brand of oil

Reply #13 –
Jeff I dont see DELO 100 40 wt at Amazon?
I do see DELO 400 40wt
If you bought the DELO 400 You are aware it l's not whats recommended for 2 stroke Detroits?
Delo 100 has the low ash specs.

Tejas Coach Works Factory DDC Oil Information Data Page
Yes the 400 has been modified, BUT the Ash Rate is over the limit of Detroit Diesel® specifications (1.41% to 1.50%) and As of this date does not give the staying qualities of the Delo® 100!!!
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: changing the brand of oil

Reply #14 –
I've used the Delo 400 in diesel tractors for years and years with good results. Also use Shell Rotella if better priced and available.  A few years back I started using the Valvoline Pro Blue in my Dodge pickup with the 5.9.
I have switched back and forth using these three brands through the years without any issues.
Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota

Re: changing the brand of oil

Reply #15 –
No problem switching and I would make the switch and just stay with it afterwards if it is the easiest to find.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: changing the brand of oil

Reply #16 –
After 47 years running over the road diesels we have used both Shell Rotella and Delo 1300 and have never had engine failure due to lack of lubrication.  I'm confident with either product in my pan.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: changing the brand of oil

Reply #17 –
Just order the Delo 100 #40 (for 2 strokes) from O'Reilly's or the Chevron bulk plant. Zero freight charge. Easy and cheap. Shell Rotella is still on the border for 2 cycles for ash content.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)
 

Re: changing the brand of oil

Reply #18 –
I just ordered a case (3 gal) of Delo 100-40wt at O'reiley's back in December for $19.99/gal.  They had Delo 400 15w-40 on the shelf and I had to show them on their computer that Delo 100-40-1 was straight 40 wt and recommended for Detroit 2 cycles. 

They didn't normally keep it on the shelf,  but they had it for me the next day!

Jerry

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Jerry and Cindy Maddux
1993 U300/36WTBI DD6v92TA
build 4271  "Miss Lou"
1995 suzuki sidekick 4x4 toad
Gulfport, Ms

"Pride of Ownership"