Rotella T4 in gas engine

[baltik]

I have 1000 miles on a Subaru ej22 engine coming off a fresh rebuild. The builder recommend a 10w30 for breaking and a 20w50 thereafter. The engine sits a Volkswagen Vanagon Syncro which ic a much heavier and less aerodynamic engine than the Subaru Legacy it was designed for so obviously shearing and oil temps are both a concern.

I am considering running a Rotella T4 15w40; it seems like a great heavy duty oil with an excellent additive package that will give me better cold weather performance than a 20w50. The recent VOAs posted here are excellent. My concern is that the new formulation is not SN/gas approved. Would love to get some feedback regarding the viability of this oil for my use

 

[GumbyJarvis]

Can you get a 5w50 in your area? Seems ideal.

 

[benjy]

its best keeping the spread of viscosity closer as the lower # for the cold burns off faster. if Ca is california + its not northern a 15W-XX would do better. in Pa when i was running 20-50 conventional to curb consumption my car would NOT crank fast enough to start, samo with my traded hardly motorcycle.

 

[ammolab]

Originally Posted by benjy
its best keeping the spread of viscosity closer as the lower # for the cold burns off faster. if Ca is california + its not northern a 15W-XX would do better. in Pa when i was running 20-50 conventional to curb consumption my car would NOT crank fast enough to start, samo with my traded hardly motorcycle.


Not sure about "the lower # for the cold burns off faster" thing is valid.

Try Mobil 1 Turbo diesel Truck 5W-40 or Delo Syn 5W-40. Both stout diesel oils that still have gas SN certificates.

 

[SilverFusion2010]

It will be fine. Shell dropped SN on t4 15w-40 because the HDEO phosphorus limit exemption expired. It's the same oil, but cannot be certified SN because it exceeds 800ppm ZDDP

 

[92saturnsl2]

I think a 15w-40 for this application would be ideal. That's what I'd be running.

 

[Eddie]

+1 for the 5w40

 

[baltik]

Great, so sounds like despite losing the rating, the oil is still gas engine appropriate. Has shell ever disclosed what changes (if any) were made during the reformulation?

 

[Overfill]

+1 for all 15w40
+0.5 for synthetic 5w40; not sure how much HTHS your builder wants you to have, but I wouldn't mess with bearings--give it what he says it needs. You're less likely to lose it via shear with 15w40 than 5w40.

 

[Linctex]

When I built my twin turbo Mustang drag car engine, I thought about running 20W-50.

After looking at both additive packages & talking to some other builders, I decided to run Rotella T4 15W-40

That car was 2 HP per cubic inch. I think you would like the oil.

 

[GaryPoe]

The engine isnt a 1500hp twin turbine top fuel race engine, its 2.2 liter engine in a VW buss that specs 10W30, 10W40, 5W30.

 

[baltik]

The manual lists the following oil grades for "severe duty" operation 30, 40, 10W-50, 20W-40, 20W-50

 

[FCD]

i would do 15W-40 Rotella during break-in and Mobil 1 15W-50 after that.

 

[Gebo]

Why wouldn't you do what the engine builder suggested? I am not being or trying to be a smart aleck

At least for the break in period?

 

[krismoriah72]

I have owned 3 EJ22s (lowest mileage was 225K highest mileage was 400K).. my neighbor had a Legacy with an EJ22 with over 550K none of them ever had 20w50. 5w30 and 10w30. all conventional oils.

With that being said i would start with Rotella 5w40. (WRX guys love it).

 

[addyguy]

Rotella T6 5W-40 is a fave of the Subaru community.