Need help and opinions on diesel engine oils

[LouNY]

I run 5w-40 full synthetic in any diesel that is going to be started in the winter, I am one of those people that started using synthetics a long time ago
about 1976 for it's cold weather starting ability, and was impressed by it's hot weather and severe use protections.
I have had an oil filter broke off on a stock car, made a full lap drove into the pits checked it out replaced the filter refilled the engine
and was back out the next heat, I don't believe a conventional oil would have done that. I broke an oil pump drive on a warmed up 390
didn't catch it till the lifters were clattering shut it down checked oil level restarted, shut down pulled the sender out, restarted shut it down towed it home
dropped the pan found the cause repaired it and drove that truck for another 50 or 60,000 miles again I don't believe conventional would have done it.
So I have had good experiences with synthetics I know engines I have torn down have shown less wear then others and I know that the engines start easier and get oil pressure faster
in the cold weather so between Shell T6, Mobil One and Amsoil I have and will continue to use synthetics in almost all my engines and also gear lubes and greases.
My newest tractor with a power shuttle has Syn-Pe-Co multi purpose in the Trans/Hydraulics.
So I will always recommend synthetics, the manufactures recommendations are the minimums allowed I don't care for minimums on hardly anything (bikinis excepted)

 

[sixdogs]

Once these guys went through one winter with full synthetic, we wouldn't be having this conversation. They would be 100% converts.

 

[DEWFPO]

Once these guys went through one winter with full synthetic, we wouldn't be having this conversation. They would be 100% converts.

X2, the product sells itself once you're used it in adverse conditions.

DEWFPO

 

[bdog]

I agree 100%. I have no doubts virtually any oil will make your machine last if changed on a regular basis. I have seen enough engines reach a crazy number of hours or miles on regular oil to know that synthetic is not needed in that regard. Cold starting is why I use synthetic. Wait until it is about 0F outside and start a machine with 15w40 then try it with 5w40 and the difference is very noticeable.

 

[chander]

Has anyone had more leaks develop in older tractors with synthetic oil?

 

[LouNY]

My Oliver 1550 didn't but it had the head redone and was reringed and bearing and seals replaced,
my IH 574 is still original with an unknown number of hours on it, she would use a quart in a winter.

 

[bdog]

I didn't on my 1980 4440 with over 8000 hours.

 

[Tony H]

I'm kind of jumping on board.. I run the rotella 15-40 In upper New York where we see lots of Minus temps. My Perkins engine does get cranky in the coldest of days but not since I added the Block heater and give it 2 hours before firing up. My friends 3 cylinder Kubota always starts quicker then my 4 cylinder Diesel so I bet you will be happy getting that 2.5 gallon jug from Walmart and being done with it. Just don't start her up and hit the high revs, nobody like Super cold.
I put about 100 hours a year on the Tractor and I replace the oil once a year . Earlier then required.

p.s. I still run DINO oil in all my cars. No major repairs at all, just regular maintenance. 3 of the vehicle have over 300K miles on them. I can't justify the price of synthetic.

 

[TractorNH]

My manual says 10W-30 covers me for the temps I'd operate in NH. If it's colder than 10-15 deg F we generally don't get snow anyway so no reason to start the tractor below those temps. Rotella makes 10W-30 in their T5 synthetic blend so that's what I'll be switching to when I hit my first 50 hour service.