Rotella / CI-4 Oil - Can I use?

[Greg F.]

I have a 71 small block with 64/K miles. The motor is all stock and original. I reviewed some of the archives regarding Rotella oil.

Is Rotella and CI-4 the same thing or is CI-4 the classification? Can I and should I use Rotella or anything with the CI-4 classification in my engine?

Does it come in 5w - 40 only and is that acceptable?

After reviewing the archives, I'm a bit confused and looking for clarification.

Thank you,
Greg

[Jim D.]

Re: Rotella / CI-4 Oil - Can I use?

I'm confused as well, I'll be checking back on this thread. I did just purchase some" ZDDP Plus" additive which used to be in motor oil and was taken out due to emissions as I understand it. Bought a three pack from Eastwood for 27.00.

[Jean C.]

Re: Rotella / CI-4 Oil - Can I use?

Rotella is a Shell Oil brand name for their diesel engine oil just as Delo is Chevron's brand. I reckon Ex/Mob has one also.

The classification is CI-4 and as has been stated in many previous posts, don't worry about brands...its the classification that's important.

I believe previous posts on this subject have included the viscosity issue. If you plan to crank your car in what us Texas Gulf Coast folks would call extremely extreme cold temps, you should avoid the heavier viscosity oils.

Best regards,

[Jim T.]

Re: Rotella / CI-4 Oil - Can I use?

Do not know about all brands of CI-4, Shell Rotella 10W30 is available at my O'Reilly automobile parts store. I have seen and bought Rotella 10W30 at Wal-Mart, but not since last year.

[Larry M.]

Re: Rotella / CI-4 Oil - Can I use?

The Mobil brand is called DELVAC. Pennzoil brand is called LONG-LIFE. There are many others. I personally use the Pennzoil 15W-40. I am also certain that CASTROL has an equivalent.

As Charlie (and many others ) have stated, the important thing is the CLASSIFICATION. CI-4 has around 1390 ppm Zinc and 1265 ppm Phosphorus. The CI-4 designation has recently been superceded by CJ-4. This oil contains less Zinc and Phosphorus: around 1210 ppm Zinc and 1110 ppm Phosporus. It is not as good as CI-4, but is generally considered adequate for our cars with flat-tappet cams. CI-4 is still available, but you have to search for it. CJ-4 is available about everywhere.

Also available in the CI-4 and CJ-4 CLASSIFICATIONS are other weights or viscosities like 10W-30. But again, they are not standard or typical, and you have to search for them. There are also "synthetic" CI-4 and CJ-4 oils. They are similarly hard to find, and may require that you special order from your NAPA, Pep-Boys, or Autozone. But they are available. Most of us feel that the CI-4 or CJ-4 "synthetics" are overkill and are not needed. But if you want to spend the $$$ you can get them.

Or you can do what many others have done: buy your favorite brand and viscosity of oil and then buy a ZDDP supplement to go with it. Eastwood has one. Another is ZDDPLUS (http://www.zddplus.com)

Your choice. Just be sure you have enough in your oil.

Larry

[Jim D.]

Re: Rotella / CI-4 Oil - Can I use?

The Zppd Plus is the same I purchased from Eastwood but Eastwood has better price.

[Steven S.]

Re: Rotella / CI-4 Oil - Can I use?

There is a individual from another forum who has spent a considerable amount of his own money and time on having oil samples lab tested, and his findings indicate that the new Delo CJ-4 has the highest levels of Zn&P of all the popular brands tested (of the CJ-4 rating). The Rotella fell below the levels that the company claimed. This is a very hot subject lately, and you could spend hours upon hours reading through the forum debates.

[Vinnie P.]

Re: Rotella / CI-4 Oil - Can I use?

There is an excellent article in the Summer issue of the Restorer by Duke Williams on motor oil for vintage Corvettes. The issue is in the mail. Duke has done extensive research on this issue.

Here's a paragraph from the article...

Thus, CJ-4 is the best current commonly available

[Greg F.]

Re: Rotella / CI-4 Oil - Can I use?

Thanks to everyone that has replied.

Do I need to do any special practice when transitioning from a traditional 20w - 50 oil to a CJ-4? Is it ok to do a regular oil change and pour in the CJ-4?

Greg

[Jean C.]

Re: Rotella / CI-4 Oil - Can I use?

I would think so.
Cheers,

[Duke W.]

Re: Rotella / CI-4 Oil - Can I use?

These oil threads - not only here - but all over the Internet are just nuts!

It's a no brainer! Use API service category CJ-4 or CI-4. Read the freaking back label to see what it is, and you don't need any supplemental additives. The proper viscosity rating is based on the lowest typical cold start temperature. For typical mild weather vintage Corvette, the commonly available 15W-40 is fine.

If you commonly do cold starts at less than 10 degrees F find a 5W-40 version, which is blended with more higher viscosity index base stock Groups and the label will probably say "synthetic".

I provide several Internet references in the article. If you're still "confused" after reading the article, or want to understand all the whys and wherefores - dissect it under a microscope - take the "Lubricants University" course and READ THE REFERENCES!

One is a link to the API 1509 document, which is the fundamental document that the entire oil and auto industries use to establish engine oil standards.

Let's see, the world wide auto and oil industries, just in the US alone, sell over 15 million new vehicles a year, have combined sales in the trillions of dollars and provide powertrain and emission warranties for up to 100K miles, but, heck, what do they know - some guy on the Internet said some guy from a so-and-so super duper boutique oil marketer said...

Come on, guys. Let's put this issue to bed once and for all - at least among us NCRS folks and let all the morons keep beating it to death everywhere else.

One last thing - any API engine oil is miscible with any other - any service category - any viscosity - "conventional" or "synthetic" base. No harm will come from mixing different API rating or viscosities, but
for normal maintenance use the best commonly available oil for vintage Corvettes - API CJ-4 or CI-4 in a suitable viscosity range for your lowest anticipated cold start and don't throw money away on additives or "boutique" oils.

In an emergency you can add any oil that is remotely suited for any kind of internal combustion engine - lawnmower oil, outboard motor oil, aircraft engine oil, locomotive oil...

Duke

[Martin N.]

Re: Rotella / CI-4 Oil - Can I use?

DUKE-

How many miles on a car a year are we talking here? I mean are we looking back at the GM guide of change your oil every 3 months or 3,000 miles? I've been using CASTROL 20W/50 for the last 18 years in my 1974 L-48 and just had the heads off to do some detail work and checked all my lifter bases for crown and they're fine with 86,000 on them. As far as I know it has the original cam and lifters in it. I drive my car here in Illinois from April through October and probably put approx. 350 miles on it a year, maybe. I agree with you, I think we're getting a little over concerned about this oil issue.

Marty

[Duke W.]

Re: Rotella / CI-4 Oil - Can I use?

My CJ-4/CI-4 oil/filter change recommendation for vintage Corvettes with PCV systems is once a year or every 5000 miles, whichever occurs first.

For cars that are stored during the winter, change the oil just prior to storage, so the engine sits with fresh/uncontaminated oil during the storage period.

For vintage engines with road draft tube crankcase ventilation I reduce the mileage limit to 3000. The oil is subject to more rapid contamination due to the poor crankcase ventilation properties of typical road draft tube systems.

If you drive less than 500 miles per year, I think it's okay to let the oil/filter go two years, especially if the oil has not noticeably darkened from new. But if your typical drive is two miles down to the local cruise every weekend, change the oil. Short trips where the engine doesn't get fully warmed up for at least half an hour rapidly contaminate the oil

Many guys who ceaselessly fret about oil should spend more time thinking about changing other fluids on a reasonable schedule - like antifreeze and brake fluid.

GM's recommended oil change frequency for my '63 Corvette is every two-months or 3000 miles, which I think is excessive for a PCV equipped engine. Back in the sixties I changed it every three months, which was about 3000 miles and changed the filter every other oil change, which was GM's recommended filter change interval. With unleaded fuel the interval was extended. For example it's every six months or 7500 miiles , whichever occurs first, for or my '76 Cosworth Vega. These recommendations are based on regularly (daily) driven cars.

Change intervals are basically a matter of engineering intuition and must take into account the typical useage and quality of fluids. Today's CJ-4 is vastly superior to sixties vintage oils - both the base stocks and additive package, and typical vintage Corvette use is a few hundred to a few thousand miles per year with continuous service through out the year in mild winter climates and four to eight months of storage in harsh winter climates.

Duke

[Richard D.]

Re: Rotella / CI-4 Oil - Can I use?

Thanks to everyone that has replied.

Do I need to do any special practice when transitioning from a traditional 20w - 50 oil to a CJ-4? Is it ok to do a regular oil change and pour in the CJ-4?

Greg

Greg - I get Rotella T syn. 5W-40 at my local WalMart in 4 gallon jugs for about $16.00 a jug, or about $4.00.qt. Pretty decent price I think for a "synthetic". They always seem to have it in stock.

[Richard D.]

Re: Rotella / CI-4 Oil - Can I use?

These oil threads - not only here - but all over the Internet are just nuts!

It's a no brainer! Use API service category CJ-4 or CI-4. Read the freaking back label to see what it is, and you don't need any supplemental additives. The proper viscosity rating is based on the lowest typical cold start temperature. For typical mild weather vintage Corvette, the commonly available 15W-40 is fine.

If you commonly do cold starts at less than 10 degrees F find a 5W-40 version, which is blended with more higher viscosity index base stock Groups and the label will probably say "synthetic".

I provide several Internet references in the article. If you're still "confused" after reading the article, or want to understand all the whys and wherefores - dissect it under a microscope - take the "Lubricants University" course and READ THE REFERENCES!

One is a link to the API 1509 document, which is the fundamental document that the entire oil and auto industries use to establish engine oil standards.

Let's see, the world wide auto and oil industries, just in the US alone, sell over 15 million new vehicles a year, have combined sales in the trillions of dollars and provide powertrain and emission warranties for up to 100K miles, but, heck, what do they know - some guy on the Internet said some guy from a so-and-so super duper boutique oil marketer said...

Come on, guys. Let's put this issue to bed once and for all - at least among us NCRS folks and let all the morons keep beating it to death everywhere else.

One last thing - any API engine oil is miscible with any other - any service category - any viscosity - "conventional" or "synthetic" base. No harm will come from mixing different API rating or viscosities, but
for normal maintenance use the best commonly available oil for vintage Corvettes - API CJ-4 or CI-4 in a suitable viscosity range for your lowest anticipated cold start and don't throw money away on additives or "boutique" oils.

In an emergency you can add any oil that is remotely suited for any kind of internal combustion engine - lawnmower oil, outboard motor oil, aircraft engine oil, locomotive oil...

Duke

Yeah, they ought to leave some of your original posts up permantently on the use of diesel rated oils for our cars. Maybe make it mandatory reading.

What started the current frenzy I think was the article in the current Corvette Fever mag where the author was not clear AT ALL that the current CJ-4 oils were OK in terms of ZDDP content. In fact, after reading it a couple times, it sounds like he does not think they are sufficient at all.

In fact, after I read it a week or so ago, I was going to ask you about the article, but knew that it would show up here, and that I would be able to read all about it if I waited a few days.