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Old 10-19-2021, 09:47 AM   #1
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Correct engine oil

Paperwork from Cummins that came with the new to us 07 Monaco ISL 400 reads “use high quality SAE 15-40 heavy duty oil”. I’ve read here that some use a blend or full synthetic. I use full synthetic for our much newer family vehicles-was thinking I would do the same for the MH. Was synthetic even used back in 07?

The engine was serviced before delivery to me but I don’t know what was used. Guess I should have asked or specified but this is my first DP. There was an engine, trans, coolant analysis done for the engine and gen set before purchase-no issues.

At the annual service, can I, should I go to synthetic? The engine has 75,000 mile, runs great.

Thank you!!
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Old 10-19-2021, 09:55 AM   #2
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Yes, synthetic was used back even earlier than that. The RV manufacture was saving $20 per 100 gallons most likely is all.

It's your rig and do what you wish, personally, I've always switched over to fully synthetic as soon as I own a rig. There are people who swear by dino oil too though the stats & tests over the many decades it's been around (1960's) point to synthetic as being better for your engine long term.
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Old 10-19-2021, 09:58 AM   #3
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Cummins , does not discourage the use of synthetic motor oil , but does say that using synthetic does not extend the service interval .
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Old 10-19-2021, 10:06 AM   #4
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With annual oil changes, unless you plan to drive more than recommended change interval miles, you do not need a synthetic.


An oil-related engine failure in your engine is virtually unheard of.


Very well respected choices available everywhere (including Walmart, etc):


Shell Rotella T 15-40
Delo 400 15-40


Like you, I use full synthetic in my cars, but "regular" oil in all my diesels. But only thing you will loose by using a synthetic or synthetic blend is some bills from your wallet.
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Old 10-19-2021, 10:27 AM   #5
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In no particular order...
Delo 400 15/40
Shell Rotella T15/40
Mobil Delvac 15/40
All good choices for conventional diesel motor oil.
My opinion of full synthetic in diesels mirrors Wolfe10, no real benefits.
Stick to the maintenance schedule in your manual and you'll be fine.
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Old 10-19-2021, 02:01 PM   #6
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If it takes one more voice to help you make a decision, then I am in full agreement with Wolfe10. For 20 years I have been changing oil on an annual basis (cummins and Onan) and never had an oil related problem. The only oil I ever used is Rotella T-4 15-40. Synthetic would be a waste of money.

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Old 10-20-2021, 07:15 AM   #7
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I am a firm believer in synthetic oil as I was an Amsoil dealer in addition to my car business. My coach holds 14 gallons of oil being the Cummins ISX. I service the coach annually and maybe have 7,000 miles on the oil in a year. Cummins says you can use synthetic but not to extend the intervals so with the cost of Amsoil to only get 7,000 miles or a year out of it just didn’t make good financial sense.
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Old 10-20-2021, 07:33 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Randyman1 View Post
I am a firm believer in synthetic oil as I was an Amsoil dealer in addition to my car business. My coach holds 14 gallons of oil being the Cummins ISX. I service the coach annually and maybe have 7,000 miles on the oil in a year. Cummins says you can use synthetic but not to extend the intervals so with the cost of Amsoil to only get 7,000 miles or a year out of it just didn’t make good financial sense.
Sir,
This is the first mention of Amsoil being used in a Cummins powered coach that I have read. I am hoping to purchase a used DP after the pandemic settles down and was planning on using Amsoil. Likely will be driving 12000 miles per year. Would appreciate your thoughts. Thank you.
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Old 10-20-2021, 07:40 AM   #9
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Originally Posted by Xmcdog View Post
Sir,
This is the first mention of Amsoil being used in a Cummins powered coach that I have read. I am hoping to purchase a used DP after the pandemic settles down and was planning on using Amsoil. Likely will be driving 12000 miles per year. Would appreciate your thoughts. Thank you.
If it weren’t for the cost effectiveness of it for me, I certainly would use it. Their 15/40 diesel oil is a great product. I have sold my coach and gone back to a new fifth wheel and a new Ford F-350 with the Powerstroke diesel. I am getting close for my first oil change on the new pickup and it will have Amsoil put in it for sure. 13 quarts and I put way more miles on a pickup than I did the Motorhome. Randy
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Old 10-20-2021, 07:47 AM   #10
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Lets see, every engine builder I have ever known, and I've known a few, recommends synthetic oil. Yes it is more expensive but it's demonstrably better oil and I think cheap insurance against engine wear. Yes I know there are folks that have gone hundreds of thousands of mile on dinosaur juice, and that's probably the norm but I also think that there are plenty of other places I'd rather save money than on engine oil. Just my dos centavos.
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Old 10-20-2021, 07:56 AM   #11
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[QUOTE=Alpine36;5955335]In no particular order...
Delo 400 15/40
Shell Rotella T15/40
Mobil Delvac 15/40
All good choices for conventional diesel motor oil.

All these choices. Personally, I went with what Cummins uses and recommends- Valvoline Blue 15/40.
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Old 10-20-2021, 08:01 AM   #12
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Lets see, every engine builder I have ever known, and I've known a few, recommends synthetic oil. Yes it is more expensive but it's demonstrably better oil and I think cheap insurance against engine wear. Yes I know there are folks that have gone hundreds of thousands of mile on dinosaur juice, and that's probably the norm but I also think that there are plenty of other places I'd rather save money than on engine oil. Just my dos centavos.
Absolutely demonstrably better. And for somebody planning to get 1M mi out of a diesel engine between overhauls it definitely is cheap insurance. But if your motorhome will only ever go 250k mi in its entire lifetime, it's probably not going to make any measurable difference. IMO... If I had a gas motorhome I would definitely run syn.
Cheers,
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Old 10-20-2021, 10:47 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by wamcneil View Post
Absolutely demonstrably better. And for somebody planning to get 1M mi out of a diesel engine between overhauls it definitely is cheap insurance. But if your motorhome will only ever go 250k mi in its entire lifetime, it's probably not going to make any measurable difference. IMO... If I had a gas motorhome I would definitely run syn.
Cheers,
Walter
This ^^^.

Spend the money elsewhere on the coach IMHO. You would just be dumping "down the drain" with every oil change in this case.
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Old 10-20-2021, 10:59 AM   #14
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Great information everyone. I now have a plan. Thank You
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