diesel engine damage using wrong oil?

[dalcope]

question for diesel engineers, techs, or anyone....shell rotella is one of the popular brands formulated for diesel engines..Question, would top grade gasoline engine oil be a problem?.reason i am asking is a friend had an oil change at a quick oil change shop and some time later he found out that they put in regular automotive oil..he is worried that it may have caused premature wear..any thoughts?? said he drove it over 7000 miles.
he did have it changed to shell rotella 15/40

peter d

[Vegasdan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalcope question for diesel engineers, techs, or anyone....shell rotella is one of the popular brands formulated for diesel engines..Question, would top grade gasoline engine oil be a problem?.reason i am asking is a friend had an oil change at a quick oil change shop and some time later he found out that they put in regular automotive oil..he is worried that it may have caused premature wear..any thoughts?? said he drove it over 7000 miles. he did have it changed to shell rotella 15/40 peter d

Gas engine oil is not formulated for the diesel engines. Can you use it? Probably, but I wouldn't use it for the long run.

[Colorado_Kid]

I am no diesel mechanic so I am sure there are other members here who would know better than me but I would not take a diesel motorhome to one of those quick oil change places. They are great for gas powered cars but diesel engines are different. I have a Cummins and I take my motorhome to a Cummins mechanic when it needs to be worked on.

Coly

[94-Newmar]

The largest difference in diesel formulated vs gasoline engine oils is the ability to deal with the byproducts of the combustion. Diesel byproducts are highly acidic unlike gasoline engines. As far as lubricity goes, he's probably ok, but then again that would depend upon what API spec and weight oil was used. Hopefully he wont make that mistake again! The only "quick change" oil places I would ever consider using are those found at truck stops/service plazas and whom only do large OTR trucks or buses.

Here's a good bible with a chart showing all the different API classifications.
Car Bibles : The Engine Oil Bible

[crazy pappa]

no it wont.But stay with proper oil in the future.

[GaryKD]

Hi dalcope,
Like 94-Newmar posted the API certification on the oil tells all and handling the contaminates is all part of the certifications. Gasoline API certifications will not include those certifications for diesel engines. In addition to contaminates, a diesel engine's very high compression means there is quite a bit of vibration generated to the sleeve and cylinder walls. For both coolant and oil, unless formulated to handle this vibration additional component engine wear will result. This will lead to a shortened component life.

Go to http://www.burkeoil.com/Pages/pdf/oilguide.pdf and read the CJ-4 certification overview (page 3). My advice to your friend to to change the oil immediately to an oil containing the proper certifications.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Well, whatever the effect of the gas-class (API spec S_) oil was vs the diesel class (API spec Cl_), it has already happened and cannot be reversed. As the others have said, the additive package in a diesel engine oil is different than a gas engine oil, so there may have been some additional wear in that 7000 miles of use, but changing it out for the right stuff is all you can do and I wouldn't worry about it. Maybe that engine will last only 495,000 miles instead of 500,000...

[dalcope]

thanks guys..
gary d...burkeoil.com makes it clear ..i will pass it along to my friend..
he told me that he bought 4 gallons shell rotella 15/40 at walmart and they changed it at no cost for the screw up..

peter d

[dalcope]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer Well, whatever the effect of the gas-class (API spec S_) oil was vs the diesel class (API spec Cl_), it has already happened and cannot be reversed. As the others have said, the additive package in a diesel engine oil is different than a gas engine oil, so there may have been some additional wear in that 7000 miles of use, but changing it out for the right stuff is all you can do and I wouldn't worry about it. Maybe that engine will last only 495,000 miles instead of 500,000...

Gary
i like that "495,000 miles instead of 500,000"

[Ray,IN]

At 7,000 miles he should have changed already changed the oil since then. The Cummins spec is 3,750 miles for severe duty(MH use is considered severe duty), 7,000 for normal duty. Oil & Filter Change on Ram/Cummins for the B5.9 engine; using diesel oil with a dual rating of at least CF4 and at least SG. That engine is likely not harmed, since additives are the difference, it may have sludged up a bit though.

[ShapeShifter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN At 7,000 miles he should have changed already changed the oil since then. The Cummins spec is 3,750 miles for severe duty(MH use is considered severe duty), 7,000 for normal duty.

Interesting. There appears to be quite some variability, as my engine owner's manual is very different. It sounds like the rules for a Ram truck might be different than a motorhome.


Under the recreational vehicle schedules, it says:

• ISC: 15,000 miles, 400 hours, 12 months
• ISL with CAPS fuel: 18,000 miles, 500 hours, 12 months
• ISL with common rail fuel: 20,000 miles, 500 hours, 12 months.

It goes on to define severe service as economy under 7.0 mpg, idle time over 40 percent, operation in dusty areas, or GVW over 60,000 lbs. In this case, the recommendation is 9,000 miles, 6 months, or 2,000 gallons of fuel.

All of these numbers are significantly higher than the 3,750 you mention. Engines and applications are not interchangeable. I think I would rather take the mileage advice from my own manual for my own engine under my own application, rather than taking a generic number from some web site for a pickup truck application. I would recommend others do the same using the information from their own manuals or mechanics, as I'm sure others have manuals with different numbers in them which may vary by year or specific engine model.

[dons2346]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShapeShifter Interesting. There appears to be quite some variability, as my engine owner's manual is very different. It sounds like the rules for a Ram truck might be different than a motorhome. Under the recreational vehicle schedules, it says: ISC: 15,000 miles, 400 hours, 12 months ISL with CAPS fuel: 18,000 miles, 500 hours, 12 months ISL with common rail fuel: 20,000 miles, 500 hours, 12 months. It goes on to define severe service as economy under 7.0 mpg, idle time over 40 percent, operation in dusty areas, or GVW over 60,000 lbs. In this case, the recommendation is 9,000 miles, 6 months, or 2,000 gallons of fuel. All of these numbers are significantly higher than the 3,750 you mention. Engines and applications are not interchangeable. I think I would rather take the mileage advice from my own manual for my own engine under my own application, rather than taking a generic number from some web site for a pickup truck application. I would recommend others do the same using the information from their own manuals or mechanics, as I'm sure others have manuals with different numbers in them which may vary by year or specific engine model.

I agree, +1

[BigSkyBob]

ShapeShifter has it exactly right.

[RickO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dons2346 I agree, +1

+2

My manual says the same thing and does not recognize MH useage as severe.

Rick