What Do You Use For Oil & Filter

[Tom Lopez]

Well I've learned a lot since joining this forum. THANKS TO EVERYONE ! I have fixed and updated many things for the better so now it's time to focusing on the engine and tranny. Lots of info about allison 1000 tranny and fluids on that forum but lets focus on Workhorse Vortex 8.1, W22 chassis.

I used (on my last oil change 1 week ago) Napa Gold 1060 and Valvoline 5w-30w oil. That's because that's all the info I had at the time. My question is:

What type of oil do you use?
What type of filter do you use?
Thoughts as to why you use what you do?

Thanks in advance.

[Mentor]

454 cid, delo 400 15/40
k&m filters
has worked well for me for many years in mohome, boat and vehicles.

[edgray]

5W30 is the "official" recommended viscosity for motor oil. If below freezing is NOT anticipated, 10W30 is "approved". 10W40 was specifically mentioned as a DO NOT use by the WCC folks.


Likewise, the AC/Delco oil filter PF454 was the OE recommendation, but there are lots of quality brands and larger capacity filters that will also fit. At one time, FRAM filters were specifically designated as "NOT Recommended" because they lacked the anti-drain back feature needed to help keep oil in the engine.


Personally, I use any of the 100% synthetic 5W30 brands and whatever brand of filter comes with the "deal" offered by Advance Auto parts. Therefore, my DIY oil change costs me about $35.00, and I do it twice a year regardless of miles.

[Arch Hoagland]

I buy my AC Delco PF454 at the Chevrolet dealership. Have heard of counterfeits so I trust the dealership.

I use Mobil 15,000 mile extended 10w 30 synthetic oil bought at Walmart and change every 3K to 4K miles.

I use Fram air filters from Walmart and recently switched to Transynd transmission Fluid.

You need to determine what transmission fluid you currently have and change the transmission spin on filter if it hasn't been changed.

The 2004 came with Dexron iii and you need to go to Transynd synthetic transmission fluid.

[RoamingGnome]

Here is a link to oil filter study results that I saw on this forum a while back.

Untitled Document

I use Mobile 1 Extended Performance 10W30 oil and Mobile 1 Extended Performance M1-302 filter. I try to change my oil and filter every 6k miles but when I need to push this out to 8 or 9 kmiles on a cross-country trip I believe the oil and filter are still providing adequate protection. My 2004 Workhorse 8.1 with 52k miles on it consumes less than a half-quart of oil in 6k miles.

[harleyjt]

I used an AC PF1218 filter and Mobil 1 5W30 in my 2005 8.1L. I figured the synthetic would be a good idea with the work the engine is doing hauling around a heavy MH. And because I really don't put many miles on it, I'll just change annually.
jt

[Magumba]

I use Mobil 1 10W30 and a one qt oil filter, NAPA 1060 but last time I used a Mobil 1 M1-301
I also use Transynd, I paid $75 per gallon at a truck parts store in Clovis NM last week.

[UFO Pilot]

Napa Gold 1 Quart (1060) or Wix 1 Quart (51060)

Chevron 5 - 30 Oil

[Full-Timers]

Mobil 1 full synthetic
Wix oil filter or NAPA gold (made by Wix)

Only the best, it's cheap insurance!

[Mentor]

Originally Posted by edgray

5W30 is the "official" recommended viscosity for motor oil. If below freezing is NOT anticipated, 10W30 is "approved". 10W40 was specifically mentioned as a DO NOT use by the WCC folks.


Likewise, the AC/Delco oil filter PF454 was the OE recommendation, but there are lots of quality brands and larger capacity filters that will also fit. At one time, FRAM filters were specifically designated as "NOT Recommended" because they lacked the anti-drain back feature needed to help keep oil in the engine.


Personally, I use any of the 100% synthetic 5W30 brands and whatever brand of filter comes with the "deal" offered by Advance Auto parts. Therefore, my DIY oil change costs me about $35.00, and I do it twice a year regardless of miles.

Show me because I've used it for 30n years and it does the job.
Someone said the cam is splash oiled, LOL, show me.

[edgray]

Not sure how I can "show you" what was said repeatedly by the WCC service people who put on seminars at WCMC rallies. I'll look for it in writing and let you know if I find it. I hope you continue to have success with your choice of oil.

[edgray]

Originally Posted by Mentor

Show me because I've used it for 30n years and it does the job.
Someone said the cam is splash oiled, LOL, show me.

Since you apparently question the validity of my comments posted earlier, I've found the official source of my claim in writing.

On page 18 of the 2009 Chassis Guide published by WCC there is a chart showing the recommended oil viscosities for their gasoline engines. In the bottom right corner of this chart it clearly states "DO NOT USE SAE 10W-40, 20W-50, or any other grade oil not recommended."

In addition, outside and just below the chart, there is a more definitive explanation paragraph that says "NOTE: 10W-40 has been removed from all Workhorse recommendations..........Testing showed 10W-40 oils tended to be more prone to ring sticking......Workhorse also does not recommend 20W-50 motor oils."

In the next section of the same guide, Workhorse DOES recommend the use of SAE 15W-40 oils for their DIESEL engines , when used in temps above freezing.

If you still question the accuracy of my posted statement, I am happy to provide you a link to this Chassis Guide so you can download it and read it for yourself. https://www.dropbox.com/s/fvsncl5b4j...-2009.pdf?dl=0

And, FWIW, here is what the Chevron website says about the oil you say you've been using:
"Delo® 400 Multigrade SAE 15W-40 is a mixed fleet motor oil recommended for naturally aspirated and turbocharged four-stroke diesel engines and fourstroke gasoline engines in which the API CI-4 Plus service category and SAE 15W-40 viscosity grade are recommended"

As I posted above, I wish you good luck with your choice of motor oil, even if it isn't the choice recommended by WCC. Ed

[speed racer]

I use 10w30 valvoline and change it around 5K miles and use a NAPA gold 2qt. oil filter. I made my living as an auto truck mech. and there are several resons why I do this. I am a beleiver in synthetic oils but only in vehicles that are factory recomended.

PS: GM droped its recomendation of 15w40 oil back in the late 70's because of bearing problems.

[Tom Lopez]

That was going to be my next question, at what mileage or interval do you change the oil. I had a 1992 Fleetwood Coronado with a P30 chassis, 454 Chevy engine. I used a fram oil filter with 5w-30w valvoline oil and changed the oil and filter at least yearly or sooner at 4-5k miles. Never had any problems in the 10 years that we owned it. Just sold it this year with no problems and was getting 8-9 mpg on my trip to Texas this year.

With my present coach I'm getting about 8-8.5 mpg. Now using Napa gold 1060 with 5w-30w valvoline. Current miles is 27,500 on coach.