rotella syn or schaeffer

[ram]

I've been thinking about switching to syn in my 05 CTD with 26K on it.

I drive about 20,000 miles per year. Also this is a farm truck so some miles are towing and some are in dusty conditions also some short trips where engine never warms up to operating temps esp in winter. I am currently running the severe maint. sch changing dino15W40 at 7500 miles. I havn't ran any uao's , but will probably start.

I've kicked this idea over and over but havn't made the switch because there doesn't seem to be any clear cut answers on whether engines running syn last any longer than dino , or which syn is better.

I know syn can extend drain intervals but is this applicable with my driving style.

Cold weather start ups should be easier with syn 5W40 but other than being easier on the starter does it to the engine any benifits?

As I said I am interested and am looking at rotella syn ( $16 / gal and easy to find), and Schaeffer 9000 5W40 I've heard the 7000 15W40 is a good oil also, but 5W40 to 5W 40 is apples to apples. I dont know the cost but do have some dealers close by.

Is one of these oils better than the other in the CTD?

I know everyone has their favorite , and don't want to start a pssing contest here. just trying to get a handle on a few things.

 

[salesrep]

I think you will find the Schaeffers line-up to out perform the Rotella. Your engine will get better wear results and last longer. You will be able to double your drain interval over the Rotella. Price is comparable and with dealers near you it should be easy to obtain from them.

 

[salesrep]

Of course I'm biased.

 

[Rock_Hudstone]

Unless on a budget, I'd say with those driving habits the switch to synthetic would be a worthwhile move Especially if it's a vehicle you plan on keeping for some time.

Rotella-T 5w-40 is an underrated oil in my opinion, and at $16 a gallon for a full synthetic it's a bargain as well.
Some people mistakenly believe if something is more expensive and harden to find then it automatically must be a better product.

 

[Brien]

Id spend a little more and go with Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5w-40.

It is much better then both oils and only $22 a gallon at walmart

 

[bmwtechguy]

In what ways is it better and how do you know? I am really trying to learn here, not being sarcastic.

 

[tackleberry625]

Originally Posted By: bmwtechguy
In what ways is it better and how do you know? I am really trying to learn here, not being sarcastic.


because he said so..............

 

[jjinco]

I'd like to hear about the Mobile 1 Turbo Diesel oil. I have not heard anything one way or the other.

Right now I use Rotella Syn and am very happy with it. My uoa's have been quite good. I would use Schaeffers but it is just too hard to get a hold of.

 

[-SyN-]

U will never know which is best for your CTD, until u use one and run a UOA. Do this with the oils u are curious about, and judge for yourself. Everyone within this board has their opinion.

Here is my Opinion--->U can't go wrong with either of the 3 oils listed above. All 3 are all great oils.

 

[bmwtechguy]

Well said

 

[ram]

I could be wrong here , but it wont be the first or last time , but I dont see uoa as a reliable tool for comparing oils. I see using uoa to chart the wear on your engine , and to hopefully catch something going wrong before it sends it out the block.


someone here more knowledgable than me care to elaborate?

 

[salesrep]

"but I dont see uoa as a reliable tool for comparing oils."

 

[Brien]

Mobil TDT is Mobil Delvac 1 in a different bottle. Delvac is the most robust HDEO available. It is capable of holding 4% soot before complete saturation. It is a group IV/V base. It is a great lube that lasts a long time before breakdown and has great cleaning capabilities

 

[D-Roc]

Originally Posted By: Brien
Mobil TDT is Mobil Delvac 1 in a different bottle. Delvac is the most robust HDEO available. It is capable of holding 4% soot before complete saturation. It is a group IV/V base. It is a great lube that lasts a long time before breakdown and has great cleaning capabilities


maybe so, but from the time I have been on this board (which is not long) I have seen better results from Schaeffer oils. For that matter I usually see better results with Delo 400 as well.
As for the topic of this thread, which was Rotella syn or Schaeffer- I would choose Schaeffer.

 

[STG]

Why extend oil drain intervals past manufacturer's schedules on a 2005 model truck with a 5 year/ 100,000 mile engine warranty?

One denied warranty claim will prove the concept of false economy.

(I'm running Mobil1 TDT from Walmart with factory OCIs in my 2005 Powerstroke.)

 

[STG]

Originally Posted By: salesrep
"but I dont see uoa as a reliable tool for comparing oils."

I seem to recall a few UOA threads questioning different results from different labs and different results from the same lab on two identical samples.

 

[Harley Anderson]

Both are great oils with excellent results verified by UOA on this board. Like others said I would run whatever you want and verify by a uoa on when to change it. 10k is a good interval to start off with a grp III oil. Just run a good filter like a fleetguard or equivalent. I don't think your cummins will die from a lube failure unless it was never changed.

 

[02zx9r]

I have no experience with schaeffer so I would go with rotella. If I saw schaeffer on the shelf I would definitely try it out since I have heard some great things about it. But rotella is more readily available

 

[bismic1]

Originally Posted By: Brien
Mobil TDT is Mobil Delvac 1 in a different bottle. Delvac is the most robust HDEO available. It is capable of holding 4% soot before complete saturation. It is a group IV/V base. It is a great lube that lasts a long time before breakdown and has great cleaning capabilities


I would like to see the Mobil 1 - Group IV/V basestock statement backed up with some references. I have done a lot of research and all I can find is that it is at best 2.5% of anything better than Group III basestock. Look at the MSDS sheet and the technical specs on their web site.

I certainly may be reading it wrong (and if I am, I am anxious to learn), but I believe Mobil 1 TDT (and as you said Mobil Delvac 1 is the same formulation) went to Group III basestock.

 

[bismic1]

best[/U] 2.5% of anything better than Group III basestock. Look at the MSDS sheet and the technical specs on their web site.

I certainly may be reading it wrong (and if I am, I am anxious to learn), but I believe Mobil 1 TDT (and as you said Mobil Delvac 1 is the same formulation) went to Group III basestock.

Edit -

The 2.5% was meant to be 25%. One forum I read stated they had a chemist do an analysis and it came back 70% Group III. With the other additives (VII's zinc compounds, etc), that would leave at most 25% for blending in Group IV / V synthetics. The consensus from a HUGE number of posts was that Exxon/Mobil is not commenting on the base stock and just insisting it is synthetic. Most feel that this is the most probable evidence that they modified their base stock from the Group IV PAO base stock that it used to be. The speculation was that the formula was changed in apprx 2001 or 2002.