Rotella oil

[Ted K.]

I've read through the discussions about oil with zinc. I have been using Rotella motor oil for some time, however my local Advance Auto Store only carries the Rotella T4 for diesel engines. What is the difference in the oils, and is it OK to use it in our older Vettes?
Ted

[Joe L.]

Re: Rotella oil

I've read through the discussions about oil with zinc. I have been using Rotella motor oil for some time, however my local Advance Auto Store only carries the Rotella T4 for diesel engines. What is the difference in the oils, and is it OK to use it in our older Vettes?
Ted

Ted------


That's a good question as of late. Rotella and Delo oils used to be dual rated for diesel (C) and gasoline (S) engine service. The last time I checked these oils in an auto parts store, I noticed that the gasoline engine rating has now disappeared. So, now I'm not so sure I'd want to use them in a gasoline engine.

[Paul H.]

Re: Rotella oil

I'm still using the Rotella T-4 with no issues. Still carries the CJ-4, CJ-4 Plus and the CK-4 ratings. Has sufficient quantities of ZDDP for flat Tappets. Shell's website does specify it's suitability for older, high performance vehicles in it's literature.

Maybe Duke can opine on the lack of the S rating and if there is in fact a change that would make it unsuitable?

[Dick W.]

Re: Rotella oil

Ted------


That's a good question as of late. Rotella and Delo oils used to be dual rated for diesel (C) and gasoline (S) engine service. The last time I checked these oils in an auto parts store, I noticed that the gasoline engine rating has now disappeared. So, now I'm not so sure I'd want to use them in a gasoline engine.

The gasoline engine rating was removed because of the catalytic converters. The additives in it do not play nice with converters. Nothing to do with the suitability of using it in a gas engine.

I run it in everything I own with the exception of the LS engine in the Yukon

[Duke W.]

Re: Rotella oil

The last time I looked, CK-4 oils still had a secondary rating of SN, but it's been a few months. Next time I'm at Walmart, I'll check again. In the meantime, I still recommend CK-4 for all vintage engines with sliding surface valve gear.

On my last trip to Walmart I picked up a couple of gallons of their SuperTech 15W-40 that was still rated CJ-4/SN.

Duke

[Dick W.]

Re: Rotella oil

Latest specs on T-4 Rotella per their web site. Nothing precludes use in older engines

[Mark E.]

Re: Rotella oil

I've read Duke's article and the endless threads on this Forum about oil. I understand the need for P and Zn for flat tappet engines. But I don't get the fascination with "cheap" conventional oil when synthetic is about the same price, has the P and Zn needed, plus it's no-fooling rated for spark engines.

For example, at walmart.com-

- Rotella T4 Diesel (conventional oil) is $25 for 1 gal ($6.25/quart). Don't know the P and Zn levels, but presumably ok since recommended here.

- Mobil 1 15w-50 (full synthetic) is $25.50 for 5 quarts ($5.10/quart). P = 1200ppm; Zn = 1300ppm. And it's approved for spark engines (SN).

[Duke W.]

Re: Rotella oil

The price you quoted for Rotella must be the 5W-40 version, which IS "synthetic"; 15W-40s are typically 10 to 13 bucks a gallon at Walmart.

The primary advantage of "synthetic" is longer mileage change intervals due to the base stocks having greater oxidation resistance, but if you only drive a vintage car a few hundred to a few thousand miles every year or two you should change on a time basis (every year or two), and "synthetics" offer no advantage despite costing at least twice a month.

Duke

[Mark E.]

Re: Rotella oil

The price you quoted for Rotella must be the 5W-40 version, which IS "synthetic"; 15W-40s are typically 10 to 13 bucks a gallon at Walmart.

The primary advantage of "synthetic" is longer mileage change intervals due to the base stocks having greater oxidation resistance, but if you only drive a vintage car a few hundred to a few thousand miles every year or two you should change on a time basis (every year or two), and "synthetics" offer no advantage despite costing at least twice a month.

Duke

Ok. So if Mobil 1 cost twice as much, this means what? An extra $12 each oil change? And I get better oil with specs for spark engines.

[Michael B.]

Re: Rotella oil

I guess it means; use whatever oil you like and allow others to do the same.

[Mark E.]

Re: Rotella oil

I guess it means we have a choice.

Rotella diesel- not rated for spark engines, and with uncertain amounts of P and Zn (see other concurrent thread on same topic).

Or other oil brands designed for spark engines and with specified levels of P and Zn.

And we can choose if we want to spend an extra $12 for synthetic with better formulation for reducing oxidation, varnish and wear.

[Duke W.]

Re: Rotella oil

All the major brands have spec sheets on the Web that list chemical/physical properties and all the various certifications.

I've seen an independent third party analysis of Walmart's Super Tech CJ-4 and it's right in the middle of the CJ-4 bands established by the major brands. Clearly, Walmart does not blend engine oil, but they contract through an API certified blender to supply their SuperTech C-catergory product. For all I know it could be Delo, Delvac, or Rotella.

Duke

[Joe L.]

Re: Rotella oil

All the major brands have spec sheets on the Web that list chemical/physical properties and all the various certifications.

I've seen an independent third party analysis of Walmart's Super Tech CJ-4 and it's right in the middle of the CJ-4 bands established by the major brands. Clearly, Walmart does not blend engine oil, but they contract through an API certified blender to supply their SuperTech C-catergory product. For all I know it could be Delo, Delvac, or Rotella.

Duke

Duke------


Yes, it could be one of the major brands. There's an easy way to find out which. Just compare the full specs of the major brand product with the Walmart oil specs. The one that exactly matches reveals which of the major brands makes the Walmart product. Sort of like forensic fingerprint-matching.

Of course, there are other possibilities in case no match is found. It could then be that some independent producer manufactures the oil OR that one of the major manufacturers is the source but they don't make the Walmart product exactly the same as their own branded product. In that case, I vote for the latter.

[Dick W.]

Re: Rotella oil

Duke------


Yes, it could be one of the major brands. There's an easy way to find out which. Just compare the full specs of the major brand product with the Walmart oil specs. The one that exactly matches reveals which of the major brands makes the Walmart product. Sort of like forensic fingerprint-matching.

Of course, there are other possibilities in case no match is found. It could then be that some independent producer manufactures the oil OR that one of the major manufacturers is the source but they don't make the Walmart product exactly the same as their own branded product. In that case, I vote for the latter.

My guess is Valvoline, they are a major oil supplier for private branded products

[Duke W.]

Re: Rotella oil

Duke------


Yes, it could be one of the major brands. There's an easy way to find out which. Just compare the full specs of the major brand product with the Walmart oil specs. The one that exactly matches reveals which of the major brands makes the Walmart product. Sort of like forensic fingerprint-matching.

Of course, there are other possibilities in case no match is found. It could then be that some independent producer manufactures the oil OR that one of the major manufacturers is the source but they don't make the Walmart product exactly the same as their own branded product. In that case, I vote for the latter.

I don't think you'll ever find and exact match, even for a given brand that was manufactured at a different time and the accuracy/granularity of the test results. The important thing is the various oil categories physical and chemical properties should be in a fairly narrow range.

Use of the API "donut" and categories requires a license from the API and documentation that the specific blend passes all the requisite specifications and tests for the listed primary and secondary certifications. I've never been aware that any "fake" API certified oils have ever made it to retail shelves. It may have happened, but API is very aggressive about enforcing their licensing requirements.

Duke