Kirkland Diesel Engine Oil

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Kirkland Diesel Engine Oil

April 02, 2025, 05:38:05 pm

We went to COSTCO and I saw Kirkland 15/40 synthetic blend oil in a three gallon pack for under $40. It says on the box made by Chevron in the US. Anybody using this?

Re: Kirkland Diesel Engine Oil

Reply #1 – April 02, 2025, 07:22:00 pm

I use the Kirkland synthetic oil in my Yukon, RV, snowblower, yeah everything when I think about it.

Re: Kirkland Diesel Engine Oil

Reply #2 – April 02, 2025, 07:25:30 pm

I use it for our 2003 U-320 also.

Re: Kirkland Diesel Engine Oil

Reply #3 – April 02, 2025, 08:08:16 pm

Just changed oil today, probably about the 15th time with this coach. Tried the Kirkland brand some years back, engine seemed to use more than usual. With Chevron Delo 400 15/40 if oil level is near the add mark it's at oil change interval for my 8.3 Cummins, no savings for me.

Re: Kirkland Diesel Engine Oil

Reply #4 – April 03, 2025, 09:24:43 am

Quote from: Olde English – April 02, 2025, 07:22:00 pm

I use the Kirkland synthetic oil in my Yukon, RV, snowblower, yeah everything when I think about it.

What year is your Yukon? Does it require the DEXOS spec or a low viscosity oil? Does that oil have that spec?

Re: Kirkland Diesel Engine Oil

Reply #5 – April 03, 2025, 10:40:42 am

Dennis,
I have a 1994 Yukon, it's a 2 door with a 350 throttle body. Doesn't get more basic than that with 170k miles.

Re: Kirkland Diesel Engine Oil

Reply #6 – April 03, 2025, 11:01:17 am

If oil has the CK rating it meets all the new standards. Different brands are not a concern of mine. I am probably in the minority on my opinion but have not had an oil related engine failure on diesels in 55 years of experience.

Re: Kirkland Diesel Engine Oil

Reply #7 – April 03, 2025, 11:29:18 am

I've used Shell Rotella and Valvoline Blue sometimes synthetic but mostly not. This forum has convinced me that there is no real disadvantage to conventional oil. I would have no hesitation with any of the big name oils nor would I have any reservation about the Kirkland since you've identified it as a repackaged brand name product and I think that Costco has a good reputation.

Re: Kirkland Diesel Engine Oil

Reply #8 – April 03, 2025, 11:57:06 am

Quote from: Doug W. – April 02, 2025, 08:08:16 pm

Just changed oil today, probably about the 15th time with this coach. Tried the Kirkland brand some years back, engine seemed to use more than usual. With Chevron Delo 400 15/40 if oil level is near the add mark it's at oil change interval for my 8.3 Cummins, no savings for me.

But the big savings is in turbo life. The synthetic oil does not coke so when you shut down after a grade or hard pulling, the oil in the turbo won't coke, the biggest reason for turbo failure. Synthetic oil also cuts way down on bore wear, also the biggest reason diesel engines become harder to start over time.

I use Kirkland synthetic oil in almost everything we own. It's pretty inexpensive at Costco. Mercedes come with a Mobil 1 sticker under the hood and have for quite a while.

Pierce

Re: Kirkland Diesel Engine Oil

Reply #9 – April 03, 2025, 12:01:26 pm

My manual says CJ rating?

Re: Kirkland Diesel Engine Oil

Reply #10 – April 03, 2025, 12:03:29 pm

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – April 03, 2025, 11:57:06 am

But the big savings is in turbo life. The synthetic oil does not coke so when you shut down after a grade or hard pulling, the oil in the turbo won't coke, the biggest reason for turbo failure. Synthetic oil also cuts way down on bore wear, also the biggest reason diesel engines become harder to start over time.

I use Kirkland synthetic oil in almost everything we own. It's pretty inexpensive at Costco. Mercedes come with a Mobil 1 sticker under the hood and have for quite a while.

Pierce

Only the inexperienced would shut down a diesel engine with out idling it after running hard.

Re: Kirkland Diesel Engine Oil

Reply #11 – April 03, 2025, 06:44:57 pm

Quote from: craneman – April 03, 2025, 12:03:29 pm

Only the inexperienced would shut down a diesel engine with out idling it after running hard.

Chuck, you would think so with the experience and knowledge most of the members here on the forum have but I expect the vast majority of diesel RV owners not only don't have a forum like this one to rely on but are clueless when it comes to diesel engine operation. One only has to watch the YouTube RV horror stories to see how blindly so many owners were going into an RV selection. When you say "Only the inexperienced", that's exactly the knowledge and guidance this forum gives so no one is a "newbie."

Never underestimate the fragility of the male ego that "knows it all."

Pierce

Re: Kirkland Diesel Engine Oil

Reply #12 – April 03, 2025, 09:13:43 pm

Quote from: Ldillow – April 03, 2025, 12:01:26 pm

My manual says CJ rating?

That was a long time ago!

Re: Kirkland Diesel Engine Oil

Reply #13 – April 03, 2025, 09:18:17 pm

Quote from: Olde English – April 03, 2025, 10:40:42 am

Dennis,
I have a 1994 Yukon, it's a 2 door with a 350 throttle body. Doesn't get more basic than that with 170k miles.

I have 2 22 Sierra 1500 Denali. Still having trouble pouring 0w-20 oil into a high-performance truck engine. I learned to wrench on straight 30 and 40 moving to 20W-50 working on VWs. Started using Mobil 1 15w-50 in the early 80's. Progress!

Re: Kirkland Diesel Engine Oil

Reply #14 – April 03, 2025, 09:57:57 pm

When I first started wrenching on diesels in '70 the only oil available was series III, and 30 wt. was Caterpillars recommendation for the engine and transmission in their heavy equipment.

Re: Kirkland Diesel Engine Oil Mobil Delvac 1 Extreme Performance on Sale

Reply #15 – April 05, 2025, 02:14:43 pm

Autozone has the Mobil Delvac 1, Extreme performance on sale, and an extra $5.00 per gallon off.
$23.88/Gallon in store.

https://www.autozone.com/motor-oil-and-transmission-fluid/engine-oil/p/mobil-delvac-1300-super-full-synthetic-diesel-engine-oil-15w-40-1-gallon/1394246_0_0?searchText=delvac+1

Re: Kirkland Diesel Engine Oil

Reply #16 – April 06, 2025, 11:44:56 am

Quote from: craneman – April 03, 2025, 11:01:17 am

If oil has the CK rating it meets all the new standards. Different brands are not a concern of mine. I am probably in the minority on my opinion but have not had an oil related engine failure on diesels in 55 years of experience.

I'm of the same mindset. It amazes me how much energy people put into the oil debate in general.

Re: Kirkland Diesel Engine Oil

Reply #17 – April 06, 2025, 06:14:02 pm

I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the Kirkland 15/40 Diesel oil wasn't the exact same oil as Chevron Delo 15/40.
You might ask, why would a company put their product in another label and sell it cheaper? Simple answer is Sales Volume. With Costco, the suppliers have access to over 125 Million exclusive members just in the U.S. alone. Costco shoppers are very loyal and know they get a quality product with the Kirkland Brand. Some of the products may have minor tweaks, but not anything to affect the quality or use of the product.

Re: Kirkland Diesel Engine Oil

Reply #18 – April 07, 2025, 10:17:52 am

Quote from: Elliott – April 06, 2025, 11:44:56 am

I'm of the same mindset. It amazes me how much energy people put into the oil debate in general.

From my experience most engine failures are the result of fluid or support system failure. Yes, there are some exceptions such as valve train failures and sometimes a major part just may break. During the 70's and 80's engine overhauls were routine on anything that didn't rust out. Most mechanics were familiar with the Black Death. Oil is the life blood of an engine and us old timers that have rebuilt them know the difference a good oil and proper maintenance can make. Even when they do need to be opened up, there is a pleasure to opening a 300K motor that still looks clean inside.

Re: Kirkland Diesel Engine Oil

Reply #19 – April 07, 2025, 01:12:05 pm

Well, the only negative experience I've had with switching brands was on our Corvette.
Oil Can Henry's convinced me years ago to try their store brand instead of Mobil 1 so I ran it for a few changes and it developed a lifter rattle which was disturbing. So I switched back and not long after the engine was quiet again. So their must be a difference.

Re: Kirkland Diesel Engine Oil

Reply #20 – April 07, 2025, 01:43:57 pm

My 2 cents worth,have rebuilt many turbos and many natural gas engines,and as Pierce said,the main destryer of a turbo is
coke plugging the oil passages.If you research many things that Cosco sells cheaper then anyone else you'll find it is a lesser
quality the the home company,their continental tires have less belts then a comparable discount tire tire,the list goes on and on.
As for synthetic oil some of you know I am a Amsoil user,all synthetics are not the same,I have gone 20k miles using Amsoil
15w40 on a 8.3 with over 200k miles,this is my thinking,why not use the best oil out there with a bypass filter on a coach
worth 50,70,or over $100,000 instead of trying to save a few bucks by using the cheapest made oil money can buy,yes it will
work but better oil will work better,have heard all the negativeness for many years,the 2 worse ones are,"my mechanic don't like it",but he has never used it,duh,and "I ve had good luck without synthetic"another gem,he also had good luck with those
innertubes and the wooden spokes.

Re: Kirkland Diesel Engine Oil

Reply #21 – April 07, 2025, 02:27:24 pm

I have to say that I'm also a big fan of Amsoil synthetic oil. Back in 1972 or so, I bought a Kawasaki H1, a 3 cylinder 500cc bike with incredible power. All my friends had Honda 750 bikes so we were constantly racing against each other. My problem was the petro oil that I used in the fuel caused the engine to load up, misfire and smoke until I was on the highway for a couple of mlles. The Hondas were faster until I could clean out the engine on the highway. I changed to Amsoil and the difference was incredible. No loading up at all and the misfire was totally gone. The Hondas and Nortons were easy targets and there was zero smoke out the three exhausts. The only thing then I had to worry about then was keeping the front end down as 2 cycle engines turn the opposite way from most 4 cycle motorcycle engines so the front of the bike naturally rises off the ground with hard acceleration. This is also one of the reasons why 2 cycle dirt bikes are so much more fun to ride in the desert. For the difference between Amsoil and other synthetics can be seen here: Learn about 100% Synthetic vs Full Synthetic motor oil - Base Oil Groups...

Pierce

Re: Kirkland Diesel Engine Oil

Reply #22 – April 07, 2025, 07:35:14 pm

And the oil debate rages on.

Re: Kirkland Diesel Engine Oil

Reply #23 – April 07, 2025, 08:12:25 pm

And will never have an end.

Re: Kirkland Diesel Engine Oil

Reply #24 – April 07, 2025, 09:06:27 pm

Kind like tire air pressure

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