Rotella Synthetic Oil --- Bad?

[SailorBob]

I know this may be contraversal but, about 50 hours ago I switched from dino 15w40 Rotella to their "so called synthetic 15w40. I noticed that tractor started using oil...just a little about 1 pint every 15 hours or so. Now that summer got here I also noticed the tractor running warmner than normal. I have heard some rumors about other people having problem with that oil too. To make a long story short I changed the oil and filter. I changed the oil to Mobile Delvac (dino) 15w40 and went out and worked the tractor pretty hard bush hogging. The engine ran 20 degrees cooler. Maybe these little Yanmars don't like synthetic oil. I won't know anything about the oil usage for a while yet. I am going to stick with the dino since I like to change the oil every 50 hours anyway. It has been so dusty this year.

Has anyone ever heard of anything like this?

 

[SailorBob]

I know this may be contraversal but, about 50 hours ago I switched from dino 15w40 Rotella to their "so called synthetic 15w40. I noticed that tractor started using oil...just a little about 1 pint every 15 hours or so. Now that summer got here I also noticed the tractor running warmner than normal. I have heard some rumors about other people having problem with that oil too. To make a long story short I changed the oil and filter. I changed the oil to Mobile Delvac (dino) 15w40 and went out and worked the tractor pretty hard bush hogging. The engine ran 20 degrees cooler. Maybe these little Yanmars don't like synthetic oil. I won't know anything about the oil usage for a while yet. I am going to stick with the dino since I like to change the oil every 50 hours anyway. It has been so dusty this year.

Has anyone ever heard of anything like this?

 

[JJT]

Bob, Any chance you did more than change the oil and filter? Clean the radiator screen for example? I cannot believe 20 degrees hotter and burning oil on syn vs dino. I've spent some time on the bobistheoilguy site and never heard anything negative on syn, (other than cost). I've heard the normal rumors - it will cause oil leaks... But nothing like what you're reporting. Let us know if this switch solved the oil usage.

 

[JJT]

Bob, Any chance you did more than change the oil and filter? Clean the radiator screen for example? I cannot believe 20 degrees hotter and burning oil on syn vs dino. I've spent some time on the bobistheoilguy site and never heard anything negative on syn, (other than cost). I've heard the normal rumors - it will cause oil leaks... But nothing like what you're reporting. Let us know if this switch solved the oil usage.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Switch back and see if problems comes back. What have you got to lose? Some money for oil and filter?
Bob

Synthetic is great in cold weather!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And hot.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Switch back and see if problems comes back. What have you got to lose? Some money for oil and filter?
Bob

Synthetic is great in cold weather!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And hot.

 

[PineRidge]

I've used the synthetic oil since my 1st oil change with no problems. Maybe it's a Yanmar kinda thing. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[PineRidge]

I've used the synthetic oil since my 1st oil change with no problems. Maybe it's a Yanmar kinda thing. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[hudr]

I have experienced the leakage, but it is on an 86 Bronco II that was already leaking a bit of dino, seems the syn is slick enough to find more ways out of the motor. The temp thing is new to me, though, my BII and 6.5TD Chevy seem to run cooler, if anything. I know my 6.5 doesn't have as much diesel clatter on syn. (even my buddies who don't drive diesels notice it is quieter).

 

[hudr]

I have experienced the leakage, but it is on an 86 Bronco II that was already leaking a bit of dino, seems the syn is slick enough to find more ways out of the motor. The temp thing is new to me, though, my BII and 6.5TD Chevy seem to run cooler, if anything. I know my 6.5 doesn't have as much diesel clatter on syn. (even my buddies who don't drive diesels notice it is quieter).

 

[CTyler]

I did the same switch a while back and haven't noticed anything different on my L3130. The water temp is the same and no leaks.

 

[CTyler]

I did the same switch a while back and haven't noticed anything different on my L3130. The water temp is the same and no leaks.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Why has my oil consumption increased since changing to a Shell oil?


This should not cause undue concern. This rarely happens but, in some cases the introduction of a new oil can result in higher oil consumption, particularly after the first fill with a new, higher performance oil. This is typically attributed to the new oil 'cleaning-up' the deposits in the piston and ring areas which can lead to a temporary increase in oil consumption. Typically the oil consumption will then drop to it's previous level or lower. If high oil consumption persists, this may be an indication of a hardware problem in the engine.

http://www.rotella.com/qa/answerresult.php?rowid=144

Hope this helps, Bob

 

[Doc_Bob]

Why has my oil consumption increased since changing to a Shell oil?


This should not cause undue concern. This rarely happens but, in some cases the introduction of a new oil can result in higher oil consumption, particularly after the first fill with a new, higher performance oil. This is typically attributed to the new oil 'cleaning-up' the deposits in the piston and ring areas which can lead to a temporary increase in oil consumption. Typically the oil consumption will then drop to it's previous level or lower. If high oil consumption persists, this may be an indication of a hardware problem in the engine.

http://www.rotella.com/qa/answerresult.php?rowid=144

Hope this helps, Bob

 

[SailorBob]

I had not thought of that. Maybe if I had just changed the oil with fresh Rotella synthetic I may have had the same results. The oil seemed awfully dirty for just 50 hours too. I may change back next time and see what happens.

Thanks for the post

 

[SailorBob]

I had not thought of that. Maybe if I had just changed the oil with fresh Rotella synthetic I may have had the same results. The oil seemed awfully dirty for just 50 hours too. I may change back next time and see what happens.

Thanks for the post

 

[vaj]

I thought rotella's synthetic only came in 5w40. My deere (yanmar) does not list 5w40 in their manual. Maybe it doesn't matter, I don't know??

 

[RWEST]

Something doesn't sound right there!! I've been using Rotella "T" synthetic (okay, "semi-synthetic" for the oil-****'s out there /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif ) in my Deeres (Yanmars) as well as the 310D loader/hoe, for several hundred hours, and extra heat is certainly the opposite of what I've experienced. I'd look for another issue.
<edit> Oops. I don't think they make a 15-40 synthetic; double-check your jug - it should be 5-40. </edit>

 

[SailorBob]

You are right about the 5W40. The pure dino was 15W40. Cold weather is not much of an issue down here. So it really does not matter too much. The tractor was running fine on the rotella oil. I just thought it was odd that it run that much cooler after changing the oil.

 

[snoboy]

I have to agree with those few that think something just isn't quite right. I've used Rotella T 5w40 and it's just plain great oil. BUT that being said equipment is funny sometimes and if your tractor doesn't like it then don't use it. Nine times out of ten Rotella T will produce great UOAs