Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 23, 2025 ...

Which oil

August 24, 2013, 12:04:59 am

Controversial I know but which oil do members favor ,
2003 Cummins 400  15w-40w ?
Power tech 10kw kubuta. 15w-40w?

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Re: Which oil

Reply #1 – August 24, 2013, 08:24:14 am

For simplicity sake I use Shell Rotella in the engine, generator and hydraulics.  Easier than keeping more than one kind on hand.
Gary B

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Reply #2 – August 24, 2013, 08:54:52 am

Gary
Do you use same weight summer winter

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Reply #3 – August 24, 2013, 09:07:27 am

Ype, Use the 15/40 Rotella year round.  Of course I live in Georgia so cold weather is not a problem and even on winter trips in below zero weather oil was not an issue.
Gary B

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Reply #4 – August 24, 2013, 09:15:51 am

Sorry, but I first read it as "Witch Oil"     Also recommend the Shell Rotella 15W-40.

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Reply #5 – August 24, 2013, 09:46:33 am

Quote from: Jimmyjnr – August 24, 2013, 08:54:52 am

Do you use same weight summer winter

We use the Delo 400 15W-40 in Cummins C8.3-325, Kubota, and hydraulic system. Below 32F, we use the block heater overnight if we plan to start in the morning. Have started down to 0F.

I agree with others to use a single lubricant suitable for all systems if you can. Keep one or two gallons with you. A couple of gallons can help get you to "civilization" if you spring leak less than catastrophic leak.

You asked for "member's preference" rather than "expert advice," so I felt qualified to respond.

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Re: Which oil

Reply #6 – August 24, 2013, 10:03:28 am

Either Shell Rotella T 15-40 or Delo 400 15-40.

If you know what has been used by previous owner, stick with that.  If you don't, choose one or the other and stick with it.

Both are universally available-- Walmart, etc.

Brett

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Reply #7 – August 24, 2013, 10:16:29 am

               What's the big deal ? I use Singer Sewing Machine oil . Like it too .Works like a champ , on all pad locks and hindge's .It is kinda pricey though .  Brad Metzger

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Re: Which oil

Reply #8 – August 24, 2013, 10:39:53 am

Amsoil HD Diesel & Marine Synthetic 15-40 c/w by-pass oil filter. Would not change and well worth the few dollars extra IMHO.
John H

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Reply #9 – August 24, 2013, 11:01:49 am

I always thought one of the advantages of Delo oil is it was marketed to only diesels and only came in 15w-40, so no chance of buying wrong weight. I only see it on store shelves as 15w-40, so I had no reason to question my conclusion.

While traveling a couple of years ago, we needed a gallon of Delo to change our generator oil, so I walked into an auto parts store and saw a huge Delo display of familiar blue gallon containers, picked up a gallon, changed oil and got on our way.

A week later, we were checking our sales receipt and saw what I purchased and put into our generator was Delo 400 10w-30.  I now double check, but have never seen anything in Delo blue other than 15w-40 again.
http://www.deloperformance.com/products/engine-oils.aspx#product4

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Re: Which oil

Reply #10 – August 24, 2013, 11:22:06 am

What hydraulic system on those coaches uses a 15w-40 oil?  I use the Delo 400 also.  On my older engine, I suspect that any good oil would be good.  I also have installed a by-pass oil filter which I am a firm believer in.  Does anyone else run one of these?  ----  Fritz

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Reply #11 – August 24, 2013, 11:52:35 am

Fritz,

Many years and models of Foretravel hydraulic system use motor oil instead of ATF or hydraulic fluid. 

ALWAYS stick with the fluid recommended for your system.

Brett

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Reply #12 – August 24, 2013, 02:06:01 pm

I've used synthetic ever since Mobil 1 came on the market.  Plus I have owned several VW with the 1.9 TDI diesel engines which required 10W40 synthetic oil.  VW recommends a 10,000 mile oil change interval when using that oil.  Anyway, having a Cummins 5.9 with the smaller cranckcase, it does not break the bank to run synthetic in it.  So I am currently running the Shell Rotella T6 5W40, in the Cummins, which I can find at most any Walmart.  It takes under 20 quarts to change the oil, and when I do it myself, it is as cheap as having someone do it.  I also changed the transmission to Allison TranSynd, and the rear differential has synthetic also. 

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Re: Which oil

Reply #13 – August 24, 2013, 04:11:13 pm

Also have Amsoil syn gear oil in rear end and Amsoil Torque drive in Allison. Decided against the Transynd after talking to the Gentleman who was with Castrol (forget his name) and figured it all was a  fixed group that got "licenced". Amsoil started the synthetic oil use and all the biggies laughed at them saying it is not needed and no better. Well  guess what they all jumped onto the bandwagon when they found out it is superior in most cases. Aircraft I am told have for many years used synthetic as the regular oil cannot take the temperatures involved. I stick with the proven leader in racing-cars-bikes and off shore boats.
John h

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Reply #14 – August 24, 2013, 05:07:49 pm

Delo 400 15w-40, like the stickers in the engine compartment and generator say.

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Reply #15 – August 24, 2013, 06:09:20 pm

I run the Rotella T-6 Synthetic 5-40 with the Amsol bypass filtration in my Cummins M11 Celect.I just started doing this this year.
 I will follow the procedures that others here do and have the oil monitored by Blackhawk.
The synthetic flows better when cold, on start up I think it helps . I also run the T-6 in the generator.

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