Going with synthetic lubricants? (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Topic: Going with synthetic lubricants? (split from Re: What did you do to your coach) (Read 1504 times) previous topic - next topic

Going with synthetic lubricants? (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

March 05, 2013, 09:55:36 am

Good Morning everyone:

Not sure if this is the correct board for this question but here goes.

We picked up our 1998 U270 from MOT on Jan 11th then promptly proceded to put 3300 miles on it. We did have two problems. On the way to Seqiun, TX the alternator decided to go. Limped back to MOT where they did a real quick job in repairing the problem. The other problem was in Ala. Unknown to me somehow the air dryer filter came loose and the coach would not hold air, got road side service to come out. Cost me $80 for the 10 min. repair. Another lesson learned. Had no further problems the rest of the trip.

Now to my question. In talking with several friends that own diesels, mostly pickups, they say I should go to synthetic oil for the engine and transmission. I know it is available for for the trans. not sure about the engine.

I know that the last service on the coach was June 2012, however other than oil and filters not sure as to the extent of the service.

Would it be worth it, if syn. oil is avail. to change to it? I do plan to service the coach prior to our next long trip starting early May.

If this is available where other than NAC could this be done?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Norm

Re: Going with synthetic lubricants? (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #1 – March 05, 2013, 10:22:27 am

With the lower oil capacity of the 8.3, it wouldn't be too horribly expensive - as long as you were willing to do oil analysis to extend your change intervals.

Synthetic really shines in extreme conditions. RV diesels rarely if ever operate there - overtemp, automatic shutdown. Extreme cold - not worth the trouble.

Re: Going with synthetic lubricants? (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #2 – March 05, 2013, 10:23:46 am

Norm, You will find opinions both ways about synthetic oils. I for one don't think they are Worth the cost. I have an oil analysis done at each change by Blackstone Labs, and over ten years have never had a problem with this coach using Rotella. I do my own changes and other use quick change shops on the interstate. Like Speedco. At the rate most of use add miles an annual service ( or maybe more ) is all that is needed.
Do searches on this Forum and you will find all kinds of help.
Good luck.
Gary B

Re: Going with synthetic lubricants? (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #3 – March 05, 2013, 11:33:34 am

my 2 cents, go for it. I totally believe in it and as all know I use Amsoil in all places-yes even in Allison.
As Gary said lots of opinions and this is mine
John H

Re: Going with synthetic lubricants? (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #4 – March 05, 2013, 11:38:37 am

Allison reccomended synthetic and it is worth it with extended drain intervals and lower temps. For the engine I have not been able to justify the cost.

Re: Going with synthetic lubricants? (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #5 – March 05, 2013, 12:04:36 pm

how much is a quart of the regular oil compared to what I pay in Amsoil--my cost $8 each x 20=$160
I have the same oil in now for 20k miles and the last analasys was perfect. This has saved me changing it with the "regular stuff" and cost of filters, so I think I have saved money AND the engine is well protected and running great. No contest.
John H

Re: Going with synthetic lubricants? (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #6 – March 05, 2013, 01:04:49 pm

I'm full synthetic in the U225. I use Shell Rotella T-6 5W40, CJ4, which gets excellent Used Oil Analysis ravings for the Cummins 5.9 over at - Bob is the Oil Guy forum. Have Allison TranSynd™ in the MT643 transmission. And have synthetic in the rear end. Also using synthetic in all other vehicles and garden equipment. I have been using synthetic since Popular Mechanics, way back in the 1970s, ran a story on Mobil 1 and testing in a Cadillac for 100,000 miles without changing the oil. They mic'ed everything in that engine and it was still all within new spec measurements. My old VW TDI diesel that got synthetic oil changes every 1800 miles, and has well over 200,000 miles on it, is still running around. I do not use snake oil additives.

Re: Going with synthetic lubricants? (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #7 – March 05, 2013, 02:21:38 pm

what are "snake oil" additives Pat?
Amsoil was the firstcommercially available synth in the N american market and was started in 1966 and in 72 Amsoil was the first motor oil in the WORLD to be given the API service requirement label All the others followed years later as they realised they could not compete with it.
Read all about it
John

Re: Going with synthetic lubricants? (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #8 – March 05, 2013, 02:27:29 pm

Snake Oil is the miracle in a can you know th stuff that rebuilds you motor, renews th gaskets & seals. To me, that is "Snake Oil", Some guys go for it.

Dave M

Re: Going with synthetic lubricants? (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #9 – March 05, 2013, 04:55:20 pm

Snake oil - "Slick 50, Rislone, and stuff that makes oil "slippier". Waste of money and does nothing for you engine except makes you feel better. Nothing fixes torn seals or bad gaskets.

Re: Going with synthetic lubricants? (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #10 – March 05, 2013, 06:28:22 pm

Funny I go 15K miles on my regular oil without an issue and no extra expense of synthetic. I have an electronic engine but that is the cummins spec. I had the oil checked every other change.

Re: Going with synthetic lubricants? (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #11 – March 05, 2013, 08:20:04 pm

John, I cannot do maths as I should have said 20k now (I changed the posting to show this)
Sorry
John H

Re: Going with synthetic lubricants? (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #12 – March 05, 2013, 08:41:55 pm

Oil is CHEAP insurance, why I change at least every 6 months no matter the mileage.
As usual I highly recommend that everyone do exactly what makes them feel the best.
What works for me, may not work for anyone else. The cost of an oil & filter change is pennies in the overall game. All called opinion and I have a few.
Dave M

Re: Going with synthetic lubricants? (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #13 – March 05, 2013, 08:52:51 pm

Dave I usually change the oil at least three times a year but try to get 15K on each one. Sure sometimes it is shorter about 12 and even 8K but that is when I am going to go on a long trip.

Re: Going with synthetic lubricants? (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #14 – March 05, 2013, 11:08:16 pm

Dave, oil IS cheap insurance and that is why I go with the best there is. Rather than spend fortunes on style changes I use some of it to make sure my engine is getting the best I can give it as without the engine all the other mods that people spend thousands on to make the coach look impressive or fit a new feeling are useless if it does not drive anywhere. I do my own work most times so $200 on oil is cheap change. No $1000.00 daily camping fee at FT for me. Long trips/ short trips to me does not change the quality of oil I use.
Called opinions as you say.
Whatever makes you feel warm and fuzzy, eh
John H

Re: Going with synthetic lubricants? (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #15 – March 06, 2013, 02:56:30 am

I am hapy if your happy John.
Smile, W&Fuzzy
Dave M

Re: Going with synthetic lubricants? (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #16 – March 06, 2013, 11:54:30 am

Take care Dave, and maybe next year we will be in your area--hoping.
John H

Re: Going with synthetic lubricants? (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #17 – March 06, 2013, 09:20:00 pm

Drove my tractor 950,000 miles with Rotella every 15,000 miles then gave it to my brother who put another 50,000 miles before trading it in for a new tractor. As far as I know there is still nothing wrong wit that Cat. I'll stick with Rotella.

Roland

Re: Going with synthetic lubricants? (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #18 – March 07, 2013, 12:19:16 pm

I switched to AMSoil synthetic two years ago and installed a two micron bypass filter. Just had oil analysis done after 10,000 miles and Oil is good for continued service.

Cummins recommends oil change every 6 months, regardless of mileage. I have had some Foretravel owners tell me that going years with synthetic will not work because of the water which gets in the oil, particularly when in Canada or other places where there is high humidity.

Last analysis showed less than 0.1 percent water, and I summer in Victoria, BC, Canada.

Changing 10 gallons of oil every six months would be very expensive.

I do wonder what the oil analysis would reveal if I was using non-synthetic oil with the by-pass filter.

I plan to have oil analysis done every two years (10,000 miles) and changing oil when recommended from oil analysis (every five or ten years).

Re: Going with synthetic lubricants? (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #19 – March 07, 2013, 12:34:22 pm

Wyatt, my analasys before the last trip was that, as you I use a bypass filter too and water content was 0.00 %, fuel 0,00% and the rest of readings are way below the lowest reading on their charts. So as you I will keep on truckin' with it. I did not understand some of the readings as never had one done before so I sent the Catterpillar report to Amsoil and they e-mailed me back and said "it was an excellant one and keep doing what I am doing as the engine must be running great"
John
ps viscossity they said is 97% of original (chart shows 91%)

Re: Going with synthetic lubricants? (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #20 – March 07, 2013, 01:02:03 pm

I've been interested in this discussion, so I finally checked the AMSoil site to see if they have an oil for our coach's engine. They do not.

Re: Going with synthetic lubricants? (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #21 – March 07, 2013, 02:39:38 pm

How do you get a sample for analysis, Wyatt?

best, paul

Quote

I switched to AMSoil synthetic two years ago and installed a two micron bypass filter. Just had oil analysis done after 10,000 miles and Oil is good for continued service.

Re: Going with synthetic lubricants? (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #22 – April 16, 2013, 04:05:40 pm

Has anyone tried or has an opinion on Tufoil additive? Claims to be "worlds most efficient lubricant" by the Guiness Book of World Records (1996). Tufoil Engine Oil Treatment If not for your engine then maybe for the genny to make it run smoother and quieter.
Tufoil Engine Oil Treatment – FAQs – Frequently Asked Question

Jerry

Re: Going with synthetic lubricants? (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #23 – April 16, 2013, 05:24:44 pm

Re: Tufoil:

Many glowing reports on Amazon, etc. from Tufoil users, but the oft-quoted NASA report says (in part)
"In the types of bearing surface contact we have looked at, we have seen no benefit. In some cases we have seen detrimental effect. The solids in the oil tend to accumulate at inlets and act as a dam, which simply blocks the oil from entering. Instead of helping, it is actually depriving parts of lubricant."

So the answer seems to be that it does in fact coat rubbing surfaces with PTFE, which can reduce friction, but it may also coat passageways with PTFE and from some reports can reduce flow through oil filters. One report that I read seemed to imply that the lubricating oil film was reduced (higher iron analysis in the oil).

I wouldn't use it, since getting even 1-2 mpg improvement isn't worth the risk of premature engine wear and overhaul. In any event, the major impact on MPG in our rigs is wind resistance, and for that, the best solution is probably to go with a Grand Villa front end

.

Forgot - The Tufoil Mfr says it can't be used in 2 strokes, either.

Couple of negative reviews to balance the ones in Amazon...

Tufoil Additive - Bob Is The Oil Guy

Slick 50 and other engine oil additives - The Skeptic's Dictionary - Skepdic.com

Re: Going with synthetic lubricants? (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #24 – April 16, 2013, 05:58:02 pm

Company I worked for Had us stop using ptfe {Teflon} and other additives like STP on turbine rotor bearing journals during overhauls. There testing showed it stayed on the journal for quite a long time after start up and prevented proper heat transfore and oil flow within the bearings. As for 2 strokes I had a friend that though oil with Teflon would be great for his 2-cycle motorcycle. May have worked for the engine but not for the oil bath clutch . Gam

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