15/40 VS 30wt

[Adam23]

I have a YM2310 and live in the Upstate of South Carolina. My manual says to use 30wt motor oil. I have 2001 Ford F250 7.3 Powerstroke and have always used 15/40. As a matter of fact I have a 55gal drum of Pennzoil LongLife 15/40. Can I use that? How much oil does it take to fill up after an oil change? What are your thoughts? Thanks guys.

 

[Cord]

Some people like the straight weight oil. I've never been a big fan, instead prefering the light weight for startup and the thicker oil for work. I once changed the oil in my boat from 20w/50 to a straight 40w. This was upon the advice of a person who is definetly an expert in high performance marine engines. I immediatly ran into oil pressure problems. Basically the 40w couldn't handle the extreme temperature and pressures with out having temperature related viscosity issues. The problems went away when I switched back to 20w50.

 

[saintroad]

Depends on your weather, mostly starting temperatures and time to get up to operating temps. As you are well aware, engine oils can be either a straight weight or a multi-grade viscosity. Originally, all oils were straight weights. Relatively few straight weights are manufactured today since most gas- or diesel-engine manufacturers recommend multi-grades. At operating temperature, a straight weight performs just as well as a multi -viscosity oil, and there is nothing wrong with using a straight weight. It's just a simpler form of oil. Some diesel fleets still use straight weights, as do about half the piston aircraft operators.

The difference between multi-grades and straight-weight oils is simply the addition of a viscosity improving (VI) additive. The most common grade of automotive oil in use today is the 5W/30, which is a mineral oil refined to the SAE 5 weight viscosity range containing the usual cleaning and anti-wear additives, then blended with a VI additive that should leave it reading in the SAE 30 weight range when at the higher (210F) temperature. The advantage to the multi-weight is, when starting the engine, the multi-viscosity oil has the thickness of an SAE 5 weight, which allows the engine to spin over more easily.

Like in your F250 Powerstroke, the most common diesel use oil is 15W/40. It is an SAE 15 weight oil with a VI additive that leaves it the thickness of an SAE 40 weight at operating temperature. What makes an oil a diesel-use oil (rather than automotive-use) is the level of additives used. Diesels require heavier levels of dispersant and anti-wear additives. These heavier additive levels are objectionable for automotive engines since they may interfere with the emission controls mandated by the EPA and other kooky agencies.

If you lived down here & had constant heat/humidity like me (in south LA) then straight weight would be in good order ---- it has been good to me for my tractors. Keep in mind that the larger the gap in viscosity ratings, the poorer job the oil will do long-term and the less likely the coverage will remain that for as long as a straight oil.

It sounds like you would benefit nicely from the multi-grade oil....so I say go for it!

 

[roxynoodle]

I put 15/40 in my 1510D. That seemed to be what most people on this forum were recommending when I read past threads.

 

[Adam23]

Thanks for the input guys! Learned alot from reading saintroad's post. I think I will go with the 15/40. How much will my 2310 3cylinder take? I ask this so I don't spend a ton of time putting a little in then checking, putting a little in then checking. Thanks again guys.

 

[Roonabeck]

When I was looking at oils, some mentioned "suitable for light-duty diesel engines"; is there some specification for oil additives for a light-duty vs a heavy-duty diesel?

 

[kenmac]

I use 15w 40 amsoil for soot control & engine wear. You can check their site for all the #s & oil grades. Does your 55 gal. drum of pensoil have a ch4 rating ?

 

[Adam23]

Not sure Kenmac, I would have to go down to my shop and look at the drum. I know it has some soot control and anti foaming qualities. It is basically the same as Rottella. They are made at the same place as Pennzoil and Shell are one of the same. I was told by an oil distributor that Shell put the LongLife Pennzoil and Rotella to the test and found that Pennzoil out scored the Rotella and for the past 3 years it is really Pen LL in the Rotella bottles! Not sure if that is all true or not, just what I was told. Does anyone have any idea of the engine oil capacity of my 2310?

 

[roxynoodle]

We need a 2310 owner here to answer the capacity. My 1510 takes about 1 gallon of oil. You have a bigger tractor, I would guess you will use a little more. My owner's manual gives all the capacities for the fluids. You might want to contact a dealer for a manual or you could look on ebay for one.

 

[Tom_Veatch]

Does anyone have any idea of the engine oil capacity of my 2310?

My 2220 takes 4.75 qt which is the same capacity my owner's manual lists for the 2020 and the 2420. Based on that and Roxynoodle's 1 gallon, if I were going to fly blind with the 2310, I'd pour in a gallon, see where I was on the dipstick, and adjust from there.