Blowin' Smoke

An Editorial by dieselmann
Volume 11; April 01: Diesel Motor Oil Comparison

The argument over which motor oil is best keeps surfacing. With this last go-around I spent some time getting product specification sheets of some of the oils that have the correct API service ratings for the PowerStroke.

All of the oils below excede the required API ratings of CF-4/SH by being rated CH-4/SJ. They also excede Ford's recommendation of Mack service rating EO-L--Mobil Delvac 1300 Super and Valvoline All-Fleet Plus are EO-M, all others are EO-M Plus.

None of the oils in the table are significantly better than the others over-all, but some are superior in critical areas than others. The high pour point of the Rotella T would make it less suitable for colder temperatures. Likewise the high Cold Cranking Viscosity of the Penzoil Long-Life.

But, to give Shell credit, Rotella T has a higher Viscosity Index than a majority of the other conventional oils.

Some manufacturers did not have product information available on-line (including Motorcraft--I got those from Ford), so they are not included in the following table. This information is not ment to make anyone change brands--if a particular oil works well for you, use it. If you have had problems with an oil in the past, don't use it.

BrandProperties
 VIPPFPCCV%ASHHT/HSTBN4-Ball(1)
79 Guardol QLT
15W-40
137 -38240*3000*1.34.4*10.1n/a
Chevron DELO 400
15W-40
134-39*23031501.34n/a(2)11.30.599
Mobil Delvac 1300
Super 15W-40
150*-362154000(3)1.54.4*12*n/a
Motorcraft Super
Duty 15W-40
135-302323000*0.9*n/a(2)8n/a
Penzoil Long-Life
15W-40
145-39*21835001.44.311n/a
Shell Rotella T
15W-40
146-24213n/a(2)1.35n/a(2)10.20.683
Valvoline 
All-Fleet Plus
15W-40
136-3721532001.354.210.n/a
Premium Blue
15W-40
139-3020431001.354.210.30.707
Synthetics
Amsoil 
Heavy Duty Diesel
Marine 15W40
178-442302120*0.5*(2)4.1*12*0.35*(4)
Series 3000 Heavy
Duty Diesel 5W-30
183*-51*2302566(3)0.5*(2)3.512*0.39
Mobil Delvac 1
5W-40
n/a(2)-54240*3200(3)1.3n/a(2)11n/a

Best property ratings are indicated by asterisk (*)

(1) Four Ball Wear test results courtesy of Amsoil, from independent testing. Not all oils listed were tested.

(2) Information was not included in manufacturer's product information sheet. Amsoil ash information from
More Than You Ever Wanted to Know About Motor Oil by Ed Hackett.

VI: Viscosity Index--Rate of change in viscosity over a given temperature range (ASTM D-2270). Larger number indicates lesser change.

PP: Pour Point--Fluidity at low temperatures in degrees Centigrade (ASTM D-97). The lower the number, the colder it will flow. -24°C=-11°F; -51°C=-60°F

FP: Flash Point--Temperature at which the oil starts to vaporize in degrees Centigrade (ASTM D-92). Typically, the PowerStroke operates at 85-110°C, but can excede 120°C. 204°C=400°F

CCV: Cold Cranking (apparent) Viscosity--Resisance at -15°C (ASTM D-2602). Lower numbers indicate easier cold starting. (3)Delvac 1300 tested at -20°C; Series 3000 and Delvac 1 tested at -25°C.

%ASH: Percentage of sulfated ash--Residue remaining after the oil is burned. The lower the number the better.

HT/HS: High Temperature/High Shear Viscosity--Measure of protection under high temperatures (ASTM D-4683). Higher numbers indicate better protection.

TBN: Total Base Number (Detergent Alkalinity)--Indicates stability, engine protection and cleanliness, and performance. Higher numbers are better

4-Ball: Four Ball Wear Scar--Measurement of wear on a spinning bearing under load and at temperature (ASTM d-4172). Lower numbers indicate less wear. Tested at 1800 RPM/40 kg pressure/150°C for one hour. Scar diameter in millimeters. (4)Heavy Duty 15W-40 tested at 1200 RPM/40 kg/75°C.

Charles David Ledger; dieselmann©1999

Questions or comments:
dieselmann@intellidog.com

View Guestbook

Back to Blowin' Smoke

©©
1999