|
07-25-2021, 11:55 AM
|
#1
|
Guru
City: Sandusky Bay
Vessel Name: Escape
Vessel Model: Mariner 37
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,427
|
Best source of 15W-40 for my Cummins QSB
I’m preparing for my first solo oil change and need 4 gallons of appropriate 15W-40 per my Cummins manual. What is the best source, and is 15W-40 oil 15W-40 oil, or do common rail diesels need special oil?
|
|
|
07-25-2021, 12:02 PM
|
#2
|
Guru
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,119
|
is the engine under warranty? that really only matters if you care to use OEM recommended.
Otherwise, I have been using Rotella 15W40 for 30 years with no issues.
Walmart by far the least expensive I have found.
|
|
|
07-25-2021, 12:10 PM
|
#3
|
Guru
City: Los Angeles
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,487
|
Agree with using Rotella. I go with the T6 in a turbodiesel.
__________________
Science doesn't care what you believe. -Neil deGrasse Tyson
|
|
|
07-25-2021, 12:18 PM
|
#4
|
Guru
City: NC
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,341
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by HeadedToTexas
I’m preparing for my first solo oil change and need 4 gallons of appropriate 15W-40 per my Cummins manual. What is the best source, and is 15W-40 oil 15W-40 oil, or do common rail diesels need special oil?
|
Make sure the oil is diesel rated 15W40 oil and the API rating matches what the manual requires. I always use a big named brand oil, Shell, JD, or Chevron Delo but any oil that matches the specifications in the manual will work.
For information on API ratings, this link I quickly found might help, https://petroleumservicecompany.com/...pecifications/
I buy oil at Walmart, my tractor dealer, and various auto parts stores. Which ever has the best price. Our local Costco does not have diesel rated oil I could use, which is odd, but if they had it, and the price was right, I would buy it.
I get my used oil tested at https://www.blackstone-labs.com/ One does not need to do the testing but I like to have the test results.
Later,
Dan
|
|
|
07-25-2021, 12:20 PM
|
#5
|
Guru
City: Sandusky Bay
Vessel Name: Escape
Vessel Model: Mariner 37
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,427
|
My QSB 380 is a 2007 and long out of warranty; it’s just my first oil change.
There is a big price difference between Rotella T4 and T6. What’s the difference in the product?
|
|
|
07-25-2021, 12:22 PM
|
#6
|
Guru
City: Sandusky Bay
Vessel Name: Escape
Vessel Model: Mariner 37
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,427
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by dannc
|
Excellent article, Dan. That’s what I was after. Thank you.
|
|
|
07-25-2021, 12:27 PM
|
#7
|
Guru
City: Sandusky Bay
Vessel Name: Escape
Vessel Model: Mariner 37
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,427
|
The Cummins manual indicates oil must meet CG or CH specs. Guessing those have both been surpassed by several API updates.
|
|
|
07-25-2021, 12:36 PM
|
#8
|
Guru
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,119
|
I would have to look it up but it might be the amount of synthetic oil used...one blended and the other full.
Either is fine.
|
|
|
07-25-2021, 01:12 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
City: Cairns
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 499
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by HeadedToTexas
is 15W-40 oil 15W-40 oil, or do common rail diesels need special oil?
|
15W-40 Diesel oil is different to 15W-40 oil for gas engines. It will be written on the drum and the two are normally grouped separately on shop shelves
Personally, I stick with name brands rater than saving $5 for no name discount store knockoffs. Shop around as prices vary widely for the same product from different suppliers and sales or discounts are common.
You are changing the filter at the same time, yes?
|
|
|
07-25-2021, 01:36 PM
|
#10
|
Guru
City: NC
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,341
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by HeadedToTexas
My QSB 380 is a 2007 and long out of warranty; it’s just my first oil change.
There is a big price difference between Rotella T4 and T6. What’s the difference in the product?
|
T4 is the regular oil and T6 is a full synthetic oil.
Using regular engine oil vs a synthetic depends on your needs. I use synthetic oils in my truck and tractor for a variety of reasons but one is the ease of starting when the engine is 40F degrees or colder. Not sure you will have that issue on your boat.
EDITED: I should have also mentioned, to be clearer, that using a semi synthetic or synthetic engine oil, during cold weather allows me to NOT have to use an engine block heater. The engine block heater for my truck pulls quite a bit of power and ends up costing about $20 a month which pays for the extra cost of the oil.
Using a non synthetic engine oil that meets the manual's specifications works just fine.
Later,
Dan
|
|
|
07-25-2021, 02:18 PM
|
#11
|
Guru
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,119
|
I apologize...
T4 - full Dino
T5 - blended
T6 - full synthetic
|
|
|
07-25-2021, 02:33 PM
|
#12
|
Moderator Emeritus
City: Au Gres, MI
Vessel Name: Black Dog
Vessel Model: Formula 41PC
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 21,131
|
Where I live there are not any good sources for oil so I usually get it from Amazon.
__________________
Boat Nut:
If you are one there is no explanation necessary.
If you aren’t one, there is no explanation possible.
|
|
|
07-25-2021, 04:13 PM
|
#13
|
Guru
City: Nanaimo
Vessel Name: former owner of "Pilitak"
Vessel Model: Nordic Tug 37
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,703
|
In my Cummins 6BTA, I used Rotella T4 full Dino. Meets all the specs, and always changed it (and the filter) before recommended hours interval, sometimes mid-season.
Check your exact engine's manufacturer's requirements, but I am reasonably sure that the Dino oil is "all you really need".
One of the reasons for synthetic is the ability to "go longer between changes", but for most boaters, they change only once per year anyway, usually before the "hours" are reached (at the end of season), so no big advantage in that regard.
Your boat, your money.
__________________
Tom
Nanaimo, BC
|
|
|
07-25-2021, 05:28 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
City: Out and About
Vessel Model: Sold-GB 52 Europa, Queenship 59, Tolly 45
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 484
|
Costco is now carrying 15W-40 oil for diesels under their own brand at an attractive price.
|
|
|
07-25-2021, 05:50 PM
|
#15
|
Guru
City: Cape May, NJ
Vessel Name: Irish Lady
Vessel Model: Monk 36
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,947
|
For Rotella T4 15w40, Walmart or amazon prime. hard to beat the price and it’s usually on the shelf.
__________________
Archie
Irish Lady
1984 Monk 36 Hull #46
Currently in Cape May, NJ
|
|
|
07-25-2021, 10:11 PM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
City: San Francisco
Vessel Name: Couple’s Retreat
Vessel Model: 2019 North Pacific 45
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 460
|
2019 QSB use Valvoline Blue. Buy at Oreilly auto parts. Recommended by Cummins.
|
|
|
07-26-2021, 06:29 AM
|
#17
|
Guru
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 22,553
|
The key to oil selection is to use a brand you will be able to find most anywhere , to avoid mixing brands.
Rotella T is pretty common.
|
|
|
07-26-2021, 07:00 AM
|
#18
|
Guru
City: Sandusky Bay
Vessel Name: Escape
Vessel Model: Mariner 37
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,427
|
Thanks folks, Rotella T4 it is. Found it on the shelf in each place I looked as well as on line. Filters will get changed too, but I already have those in inventory.
|
|
|
07-27-2021, 06:22 AM
|
#19
|
Guru
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 22,553
|
"Filters will get changed too, but I already have those in inventory."
Filters are expected to be used rather quickly after being manufactured, so are not rustproof.
Keep the lube oil and fuel filter inventory in a vacuum sealed bag for cruising..
One question is how much lube oil should be carried onboard.
The biggest engine flooding risk probably comes from the usual wet exhaust.
Sailing I used to carry 3 full oil changes , just in case
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Trawler Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|