DIESEL OIL WITH CAT CONVERTERS

Status
Not open for further replies.
O

OLDMANBJ

Joined
May 31, 2006
Messages
17
Location
Auckland New Zealand
Hi there,
I know that a lot of riders use heavy duty diesel oil in their bikes, and I can certainly see the merit in this. I've checked out the containers from all the manufactures (Delo, Delvac, Rimula, Valvoline etc) and not one warns against using their oil with a cat converter on a gas engine.However, I phoned a couple of them and they said they wouldn't advise it as it would poison the cat.How can this be when they are API SL reted as well as CH.

Also, I live in Auckland NZ, where the temp rarely gets below 2 deg C and then only for a month in winter. Would a 15-40 grade be OK for my bike? (Bandit 1250)
If this has been posted before, please forgive me.

Best regards to all, John
 
With some bikes, my Kawasaki EX-500 springs to mind, starting at freezing is very difficult. If you're not having problems, than 15w40 is what I would use. Otherwise 5w-40 is what I use, because of the problems I'm having.

I think the extra protection for the engine and transmission far outweighs the possibility of a poisoned cat. And if you were to have one, wouldn't you just gut it, or replace it with an aftermarket exhaust with no cat?

One thumbs up for 15w40 HDEO.
 
Quote:
However, I phoned a couple of them and they said they wouldn't advise it as it would poison the cat.How can this be when they are API SL rated as well as CH?

They're probably just covering their tails.
27.gif


BTW - here's a great Bandit forum http://www.maximum-suzuki.com/
thumbsup2.gif
And, they've just started a new "Ultimate Oil" thread!!
 
The HD Diesel oils in the States have started to switch over to the API specification CJ-4 "low ash" oil with the introduction of the Diesel Particulate Exhaust Filters in 2008. Do not know if the ash is what would poison gasoline cats or not. I use 15w40 in my V-twin air-cooled in the spring and fall with temperatures down to around 32 F ( 0 C )without issue. I have used it in the summer in a 3.4 liter V-6 but suspect the thicker oil reduced fuel economy.

Slick
 
So John, are you saying that your Bandit has a cat converter? Not sure about all the states here but I thought only the state of California had to run cat converters. Do you also have emissions tests in NZ for bikes?

If no cat converter it is an excellent oil. I have no experience with cat converters on a bike but if the ZDDP degrades it's ability to work without impacting performance and you don't have to do an emissions test then you have a great oil and the world will not notice if your cat is not 100% on your motorcycle.
 
Hi Eagle,
My bike came with a Cat fitted. However, they dont test emissions when you get a warrant of fitness for your vehicle, so I guess I just wont worry unless it would make the bike run funny.

Cheers, John
 
My '05 ST1300 has cats. No problems using HDEO for over 30000+ miles. Most modern liquid-cooled street bikes really don't burn very much oil anyway.
 
Have been using Rotella 15W40 for 8,000 miles in my Bandit 1250...Change the oil at 2,500 and it looks like it's been barely used...The Bandit 1250 has one of those engines that is very easy on the oil...
 
Don't worry about it - that warning is for automobiles

The levels of zinc and phosporus were lowered to meet the automobile "SM" classification. Someone help me out here. 800 ppm or less? Diesel oils have slightly higher levels.... but motorcycle-specific oils have even higher levels of zinc and phosporus. Won't hurt a thing on your motorcycle.

Now go out and ride !
 
Cars had to warranty the emissions eqpt worked for 100k miles, now I think it's up to 150k miles. It wasn't just the catalyst, but also the o2 sensor and the sparkplugs that could be fouled by ash from the additives. With diesel oils you have a double wammie of ash from the increased detergent, maybe even more so than the zinc?

Many high performance bike are using (soft) TI valves against (hard) unleaded seats. The hard coating on the ti is more likely to wear from abrasive ash deposits than say a stainless or stellite face valve. A good reason NOT to use diesel oil in these engines IMO. Zinc isn't everything.
 
Thanks so much guys. I have appreciated all of your input.
Have been doing some more research, and have decided to go with Shell SX4 motorcycle oil. Its a 15w-50 API SL oil and says its synthetic fortified ( but is not semi synthetic) whatever that means. But I can get it locally at a great price in 20 ltr size. I was able to find out that the zinc content is around 1400 ppm.
Think this'll work fine.

Cheers, John
 
Originally Posted By: wileyE
Cars had to warranty the emissions eqpt worked for 100k miles, now I think it's up to 150k miles. It wasn't just the catalyst, but also the o2 sensor and the sparkplugs that could be fouled by ash from the additives. With diesel oils you have a double wammie of ash from the increased detergent, maybe even more so than the zinc?

Many high performance bike are using (soft) TI valves against (hard) unleaded seats. The hard coating on the ti is more likely to wear from abrasive ash deposits than say a stainless or stellite face valve. A good reason NOT to use diesel oil in these engines IMO. Zinc isn't everything.


The JASO standard says no more than 1.2% sulfated ash and Shell Rotella synthetic 5W40 and Rotella 15W40 are both rated at 1%...M1 racing 4T and M1 Vtwin motorcycle oil is rated at 1% sulfated ash...Castrol Tection Diesel oil is rated at .97% sulfated ash so there's no ash to worry about with Diesel oils...Zinc should not be an issue either as M1 Vtwin and racing 4T oil has more zinc than just about anything out there...Alot of the Diesel oils also have antiwear additive levels that are very similar to just about anything with a JASO MA rating except for perhaps redline and M1 motorcycle oils which actually have the elevated levels they claim to have...So zinc is not an issue...The Diesel standards are also more stringent than anything out there for wear protection...The testing for JASO MA and API anything pale in comparison to what is required of a Diesel oil...And every popular Diesle oil is SM rated and approved for gasoline engines...
 
Originally Posted By: OLDMANBJ
Thanks so much guys. I have appreciated all of your input.
Have been doing some more research, and have decided to go with Shell SX4 motorcycle oil. Its a 15w-50 API SL oil and says its synthetic fortified ( but is not semi synthetic) whatever that means. But I can get it locally at a great price in 20 ltr size. I was able to find out that the zinc content is around 1400 ppm.
Think this'll work fine.

Cheers, John


John - that is an EXCELLENT oil that is NOT available here in the States. I wish it was.
 
I guess I will never understand oil companies. If SX4 is an EXCELLENT oil, and I have no doubt it is, as I've used other Shell products, then why wouldn't they market it in a country the size of the States. Makes you think.

John
 
I have read on another forum that many diesel oils that were once recommended for use in bikes with wet clutches are no longer safe because the oil must meet the new cat rules. Many 15w40 HD diesel oils have been affected such as Shell Rotella T, Chevron Delo 400, Mobil Delvac 1300, Motorcraft Super Duty, Valvoline Premium Blue. Can anyone confirm this change is unsafe for use in bikes with wet clutches?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
  • Locked
Best diesel engine oil for high sulphur 5000 ppm diesel
2
Replies
23
Views
10K
dnewton3
U
  • Locked
2019 Toyota twin turbo 4.5 litre V8 diesel oil
Replies
19
Views
4K
A_Harman
BusyLittleShop
  • Locked
MOTOR OIL “WEAR PROTECTION” RANKING LIST
2 3
Replies
56
Views
88K
wwillson
K
  • Locked
Rotella and Rimula - same stuff, different names?
Replies
8
Views
21K
car54
O
  • Locked
Delo 400 CI4+
2
Replies
27
Views
20K
CCI
Back
Top Bottom