Oil change XR4140

[zone5]

My 50 hr service is due. Have all the filters now looking for the correct oil. Owners manual says 10-30 for -4 to +86, and 5-30 for -22 to +86. and 15-40 for +5 to 104 Here in upstate NY there are multiple days its below -4 so I figure to use 5-40 Syn to cover every base, and as it seems 5-30 seems to be near impossible to find. Also says CJ-4 which I know CK-4 is the new spec. I asked LS if the CK4 was okay, and they said yes, but when I asked them about oil and if 5-40 was okay, they said, "before you change to 5-40 you should run the recommended oil for one more cycle." I have no idea what that means. They don't recommend mineral or Syn, and 5-40 "should" be in their specs.

So my question is what others have used type (Syn or mineral) and weight wise at their 50 hr change in this engine. Not asking for brand war please, just what others have used with no issues.

 

[Avenger]

When I did my 50hr service last fall, I used synthetic 5w-40. I did some reading and asked the mechanic at the dealership what they use. That's all they use.

They didnt say anything about the spec, or temps, or running the 10w-30 for an additional cycle. They did specify which brand they use, Shell Rotella T6 if I remember correctly.

Shell is a great brand, but I am loyal to Mobil 1. So I went to North40 and started looking. (North 40 is like a Tractor Supply for my area)
This is what I found and used:

Mobil 1 5W-4 Turbo Diesel Synthetic Motor Oil - 1 Gallon - Grease & Lubricants - Parts & Maintenance - Automotive

Specs:

Mobil 1™ Turbo Diesel Truck | Mobil™ Motor Oils

It is very important too, in the winter, to let your engine oil warm up before putting a load on the engine. Where I live, it gets COLD.

I am probably going to get an engine block heater before this coming winter, just to help. But I would go out and start it, let it idle for about 15 mintues, rev up the engine to about 1500rpm and let it continue to warm up for another 15 minutes before doing anything. When I was done for the day, I'd pull it down to an idle and let it rest for about 10-15 minutes before shutting it off. You dont want the turbo to cool too quickly.

There have been some reports of these turbos blowing up due to the wrong mix of incorrect engine oil, cold temps, and improper warm up typically before/after a regen cycle in the negative temps.
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/ls-tractor-owning-operating/408326-ls-engine-issue.html

 

[zone5]

Oh yea, I ALWAYS let it warm up in winter, and it always idles for a while before it is shut off. Thanks for the info, and the link.

 

[zone5]

Just got an email back from LS Corp. Direct quote:

"Per my investigation, since you are located in NY I would suggest "a lot" of CK-4 or CJ-4, 5W30 semi synthetic oil, nothing else"

Now kinda nervous to use 5-40.

 

[zone5]

So I just talked to my dealer and he was reading off the oil that LS ships them, and its either 10-30 or 15-40. and he stated that the tractors he gets are filled with 15-40 from LS. He is calling his tech rep @ LS to see what he says. What the heck is LS cust service doing, as their info seems to be totally wrong, Not to mention that 5-30 oil is about impossible to buy.

 

[Avenger]

Oh yeah, that sounds about right:

You get some people who read the same owners manual as you.
You get other people who read the service bulletins to you
You get dealers just making things up to get you off the phone
You get yet more people telling you what they do (which is completely different)

and none of them are of any help, make something simple confusing, and have never been in your shoes: trying to find something off the store shelves that does not exist where you are.

sound familiar?

 

[Avenger]

Take a look at this:
5W4 VS 15W4 Diesel Oil at -25C or 13F - YouTube

Which one would you prefer in your engine at cold temps?

 

[zone5]

Oh yeah, that sounds about right:

You get some people who read the same owners manual as you.
You get other people who read the service bulletins to you
You get dealers just making things up to get you off the phone
You get yet more people telling you what they do (which is completely different)

and none of them are of any help, make something simple confusing, and have never been in your shoes: trying to find something off the store shelves that does not exist where you are.

sound familiar?

Oh yea. welcome to the internet . LOL. My dealer is pretty good and so far has been very helpful with shipping me part sand giving info. Will be interesting to see what he says when he gets back to me with info from his LS tech rep. and you are right. this should be a simple answer. Based on everything I have read it should be 5-40 full syn no if, ands or buts. That covers every base. but nooooo that would be too easy. LOL

 

[zone5]

Take a look at this:
5W4 VS 15W4 Diesel Oil at -25C or 13F - YouTube

Which one would you prefer in your engine at cold temps?

LOL. tought question. NOT

How many hrs do you have on yours with 5-40 in it?

 

[Avenger]

I changed it at 48, currently have ~140. So almost 100hrs.