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Change oil to synthetic?

October 29, 2012, 12:26:09 pm

Our coach has the old 8.2 Detroit Diesel turbocharged V8 with 72,000 miles on the odometer.
Could I, should I, change to synthetic oil??

I did change a 454 truck engine to synthetic and ended up using almost a quart of oil per 100 miles by the time I got to Florida from Glen Ellen, IL.

So, do I dare change? If so, what "flavor" in lieu of Rotello 15W-40?

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Re: Change oil to synthetic?

Reply #1 – October 29, 2012, 01:55:34 pm

obviously if you had a leak in the 454 (or an oil burner) synthetic will not help you. Brett will no doubt have a comment on the older DD
John H

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Re: Change oil to synthetic?

Reply #2 – October 29, 2012, 02:55:33 pm

Only comment is that, were it mine, I would stick with the Rotella T 15-40.

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Re: Change oil to synthetic?

Reply #3 – October 29, 2012, 03:01:26 pm

I ran a 454 on synthetic for 4 or 5 years and it just ran better. It did not use oil unless the oil was over filled, then it used non-synthetic or synthetic the same.

On this Forum I have seen posts indicating that the DD engine is best with just one non-synthetic oil.

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Re: Change oil to synthetic?

Reply #4 – October 29, 2012, 03:32:41 pm

Two cycle Detroits are the only ones that require a low ash, single grade oil. A 8.2 Detroit 4 cycle should be changed with the recommended grade oil. Rotella would be a good choice. Quite a few truckers use synthetics with good success.

Pierce

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Re: Change oil to synthetic?

Reply #5 – October 30, 2012, 10:04:58 am

Thanks everyone. I'll stick with the Rotello.
Strangely enough, on the oil filler tube someone has marked 18 QT. When I changed the oil and filters (2) the last two times It only took 10 Qts and the dipstick read full. The first time I did the change I did add the full 18 Qts, and ended up draining off 8 Qts.

So, what would be the reason for someone writing 18 Qts on the filler tube? Capacity for something else?

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Re: Change oil to synthetic?

Reply #6 – October 30, 2012, 01:22:53 pm

FWIW,
I was in WalMart on Saturday and Rotella was twelve dollars and change for a gallon.  I did not get any as I just happened to be in there for something else.  It seemed like a good price and thought I would pass on.  cks

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