Which Synthetic oil?

[Horizonchase]

I hope I am posting this in the right place. I have just purchased a Winnebago with Mercedes CID 182 Diesel engine. The owners manual, now four years old, recommends certain oils for it but I was wondering if I could put Castrol Edge Synthetic oil in it? This oil is fairly new and I'm fairly certain that it came after the owners manual was published. So I guess what I'm asking is: How do I know for certain this newer "improved" oil will be just fine for my engine when all of the oils that the owners manual recommend are four years old?
And one last thing, is this the correct forum to discuss Mercedes diesel engines? If not, where do I post?
Thanks!
Jim

[TW]

I used on all my MB Diesel engines MOBIL 1....... It`s the BEST.
Drove on my 82 Station wagon 1 Mill. Kilometers and it is still going like the first Day, the new owner tells me.

[EDALLSAILS]

Here is something thart may help you. CJ-4 is the current APi spec for diesel engines.
On the web you may be able to find an actual comparison of many brands. Each mfg claims their bundle of additives in each oil is different. My Cat dealer says sysnthics are NOT worth the extra bucks. I use synthics in all my vehicles. One 1992 pontiac had over 360,000 miles and it ran fine. (transmission went out, guess I should of run syn in it also).

1. • 1Choose among semi-synthetic (blends), conventional synthetics or pure synthetic oils. There are three distinct types of synthetic oils. Semi-synthetics are blends of conventional oil and mineral-based synthetics. They offer better protection than conventional oil, and are very chemically stable, so they mix well with conventional oils as well. Typically they extend oil change intervals slightly.
     Conventional synthetics are still made from mineral oil, but are created at the purest stage of the process. Examples are Mobile 1 Diesel Truck or Mobile Delvac 1.
     AMSOIL and Royal Purple offer a pure synthetic designed for diesel engines. Pure synthetics are created in laboratories, and are the most expensive of synthetics but offer the longest oil change intervals, and the best protection. These oils are designed to handle the higher temperatures and demands of a diesel engine.
     
     
   • 2Compare costs and benefits of each type of oil. Based on your driving style, and the mileage that you drive, different oils may be best for you. If you make frequent cross-country trips towing a trailer, an extended drain oil is definitely more cost-effective and better for your vehicle. If you have a diesel you just drive around town, and use for short local trips without hauling or towing, a conventional synthetic or synthetic blend may be more-cost effective for your situation.
     
     
   • 
     
   • 3Compare the API ratings. API (American Petroleum Institute) ratings for diesel oils begin with a "C" for compression oils, followed by a letter in the alphabet. The latest and highest rating is CJ-4. This is defined as emission-compliant oil for 2007 and newer engines. CF specifications have been in existence since 1994, but still offer protection for some engines and applications. Information on ratings for diesel engines can be found on many manufacturers' websites. Be sure you purchase at least the minimum API rating for your vehicle, often found in your owner's manual.
     
     

[Spikester]

If switching to synthetic oil, I would be sure the engine manufacturer changes oil change periodicity. If they keep it the same it may not be cost effective, especially if you are under any type of warranty and the change periodicity reads XXXX miles or annually. An annual oil change for diesels is expensive, and really expensive if you are using synthetics.

Spike

[Horizonchase]

Originally Posted by EDALLSAILS

Here is something thart may help you. CJ-4 is the current APi spec for diesel engines.
On the web you may be able to find an actual comparison of many brands. Each mfg claims their bundle of additives in each oil is different. My Cat dealer says sysnthics are NOT worth the extra bucks. I use synthics in all my vehicles. One 1992 pontiac had over 360,000 miles and it ran fine. (transmission went out, guess I should of run syn in it also).

1. • 1Choose among semi-synthetic (blends), conventional synthetics or pure synthetic oils. There are three distinct types of synthetic oils. Semi-synthetics are blends of conventional oil and mineral-based synthetics. They offer better protection than conventional oil, and are very chemically stable, so they mix well with conventional oils as well. Typically they extend oil change intervals slightly.
     Conventional synthetics are still made from mineral oil, but are created at the purest stage of the process. Examples are Mobile 1 Diesel Truck or Mobile Delvac 1.
     AMSOIL and Royal Purple offer a pure synthetic designed for diesel engines. Pure synthetics are created in laboratories, and are the most expensive of synthetics but offer the longest oil change intervals, and the best protection. These oils are designed to handle the higher temperatures and demands of a diesel engine.
   • 2Compare costs and benefits of each type of oil. Based on your driving style, and the mileage that you drive, different oils may be best for you. If you make frequent cross-country trips towing a trailer, an extended drain oil is definitely more cost-effective and better for your vehicle. If you have a diesel you just drive around town, and use for short local trips without hauling or towing, a conventional synthetic or synthetic blend may be more-cost effective for your situation.
   • 3Compare the API ratings. API (American Petroleum Institute) ratings for diesel oils begin with a "C" for compression oils, followed by a letter in the alphabet. The latest and highest rating is CJ-4. This is defined as emission-compliant oil for 2007 and newer engines. CF specifications have been in existence since 1994, but still offer protection for some engines and applications. Information on ratings for diesel engines can be found on many manufacturers' websites. Be sure you purchase at least the minimum API rating for your vehicle, often found in your owner's manual.

Thank you for this useful information.

[wa8yxm]

There are synthetics and synthetics, This info is per Shell by the way.

Mobile 1, last time I checked, (Which was shortly after the presentation I got by a Shell spokesperson) was still a man made lubricant (Synthetic means man made by the way)

Amzoil likewise.

Most of the others are just highly refined dino oil Vastly superior to standard Dino Oil but still natural, not synthetic.

The oil you cited.. I do not knwo about and thus can not comment on.. This, however, i do know.

Castrol makes some very fine products. Years ago Chrysler called them up and had them service one of their production machines. The result was it ran for many years without problems,, In fact it ran for many years till some overseas types came in and took over the plant, terminated the contract and let it go to destruction without an oil change.

Chrysler likely saved a good million or more by contracting with Castrol for lubricants on that machine over the years. Superior lubricant and Castrol checked to see when it needed changing (Way less often than the stuff they used to use).

[rgreen45]

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

Mobile 1, last time I checked, (Which was shortly after the presentation I got by a Shell spokesperson) was still a man made lubricant (Synthetic means man made by the way)

I would like to politely disagree with this. Info from the Mobil website:
Both types of engine oil are made from crude oil that comes from the ground. The difference is that synthetic oils undergo numerous additional highly-advanced distilling, refining, and purification processes — and therefore are of a higher purity and quality than conventional mineral oils.

Although a synthetic costs up to 4x as much as regular oil, it lasts 4 times longer. I use synthetic in my autos and change the filter every 5,000 and the oil every 20,000.

In an RV that may only travel 20k-25k a year, I wouldn't use synthetic.

[greystroke]

Your manual probably specifies the "Spec" it requires so make sure you use oil with the proper spec.

I use a non-synthetic Mobil Delvac 1300 in both my Diesels. I like to change often and it can get quite expensive using synthetic. Regardless which type you use change the oil and filter on a regular basis. I do use synthetic in the gas toad.

[Horizonchase]

Originally Posted by greystroke

Your manual probably specifies the "Spec" it requires so make sure you use oil with the proper spec.

I use a non-synthetic Mobil Delvac 1300 in both my Diesels. I like to change often and it can get quite expensive using synthetic. Regardless which type you use change the oil and filter on a regular basis. I do use synthetic in the gas toad.

I hear wghat you are saying. I could be mistaken but I I believe my owners manual call for oil changes every 10,000 on my CID 182 Mercedes diesel. Ten thousand miles is a lat of miles. With the type of exploring my wife and I will be doing that could take several years. I don't like to go too long time wise in between oil changes. So I am thinking I might just forgo the expensive Synthetic and do like you do, change more frequently using Mobil Delvac 1300. Mobil is the oil that I use in all of my vehicles. It's good oil.
That Mobil Delvac 1300 ought to be good for my diesel, right? I'm not sure.

[greystroke]

Originally Posted by Horizonchase

I hear wghat you are saying. I could be mistaken but I I believe my owners manual call for oil changes every 10,000 on my CID 182 Mercedes diesel. Ten thousand miles is a lat of miles. With the type of exploring my wife and I will be doing that could take several years. I don't like to go too long time wise in between oil changes. So I am thinking I might just forgo the expensive Synthetic and do like you do, change more frequently using Mobil Delvac 1300. Mobil is the oil that I use in all of my vehicles. It's good oil.
That Mobil Delvac 1300 ought to be good for my diesel, right? I'm not sure.

I use the Mobil Delvac 1300 super 15W-40 Diesel Engine oil. A lot of owners use the Shell Rotella. Either choice is a good one.
On the back of the container is a list of specs. For example, it list CES 20081 which is the spec for Cummins. Find the spec in your manual and if it is not listed call your engine company or call ExonMobile or Shell to make sure you are picking the right oil.

The reason why I say this is when I got my first diesel I purchased the wrong diesel oil and it may have damaged my engine if I had used it. I don't like maybe.

Just take a few hours to check it out. Here is sheet on the oil I use.

Mobil Delvac 1300 Super

[Damon Outlaw]

A customer of mine switched to AMSOIL 15w40 chemical diesel synthetic oil in his diesel motorhome. He has his oil analyzed once a year. Each year it has come back as recommended for continued use. He changes his oil filter once a year. The same oil has now been in use for 3 years without changing. We estimate he can likely go another 3 years on the same oil. He is saving a lot of time and money while reducing his environmental impact compared to once a year oil changes. He is covered by the free AMSOIL parts and labor warranty should the oil ever fail, even with these long oil change intervals.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by Spikester

If switching to synthetic oil, I would be sure the engine manufacturer changes oil change periodicity. If they keep it the same it may not be cost effective, especially if you are under any type of warranty and the change periodicity reads XXXX miles or annually. An annual oil change for diesels is expensive, and really expensive if you are using synthetics.

Spike

Cummins says you can't extend the change interval when using synthetic oil UNLESS you do analysis at each normal change interval.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by Horizonchase

I hear wghat you are saying. I could be mistaken but I I believe my owners manual call for oil changes every 10,000 on my CID 182 Mercedes diesel. Ten thousand miles is a lat of miles. With the type of exploring my wife and I will be doing that could take several years. I don't like to go too long time wise in between oil changes. So I am thinking I might just forgo the expensive Synthetic and do like you do, change more frequently using Mobil Delvac 1300. Mobil is the oil that I use in all of my vehicles. It's good oil.
That Mobil Delvac 1300 ought to be good for my diesel, right? I'm not sure.

Usually the manufacturers place a time/mileage interval on oils. On our Cummins it's 1 year OR 10,000 miles WHICH EVER COMES FIRST!

The oil and filter should be changed just before storing for the winter, not just after taking it out of storage.

[Horizonchase]

Originally Posted by Damon Outlaw

A customer of mine switched to AMSOIL 15w40 chemical diesel synthetic oil in his diesel motorhome. He has his oil analyzed once a year. Each year it has come back as recommended for continued use. He changes his oil filter once a year. The same oil has now been in use for 3 years without changing. We estimate he can likely go another 3 years on the same oil. He is saving a lot of time and money while reducing his environmental impact compared to once a year oil changes. He is covered by the free AMSOIL parts and labor warranty should the oil ever fail, even with these long oil change intervals.

Now that seems like the way to go. Yours is the second comment that I have read where only the filter is changed and the oil remains in the engine. I might just do that seeing as how synthetic oil is very expensive, and the tests that your company performed showed no appreciable degradation in the oil through testing.
As a general rule I always change the oil and filter whenever I do an oil change and have always wondered about those folks who only changed therir filters and not the oil too. Especially using dino oils!