Quick oil question!! Yes I've read the oil thread

[ItzaMe]

I'm about to do an oil change on my '71 911 and am thinking about going with Shell Rotella 15W-40. I've heard many things about synthetic oils breaking down old motor seals and causing leaks but since Rotella is diesel then I should be fine correct?

Basically, is Shell Rotella 15W-40 considered a synthetic or non-synthetic?

Yeah I know sounds like a dumb question but its my first Porsche so thanks for any input!!

[Otter74]

I have a Fiat Spider and use Shell Rotella T in it, as it is one of the preferred oils for that car. As with other cars of that age, synthetics are not recommended and according to general consensus and also according to AutoSprint, my local shop and the best Italian car shop in the area, it is considered good for engines that should not use synthetic oil.

[cabmandone]

You need to check the specs. 15/40 is what I run in my diesel engines. I think they have a "dino" and synthetic version of it but I'm not certain. Again check the specs to make sure it meets the needs for the engine.

[Noah930]

Do synthetic oils break down oil seals like you say? (Did not know that was true, but I have been wrong before.) Or are they just more apt to leak if the seals are already a bit compromised?

I have run Rotella in the past, but there are several different varieties of it now--look online to see what specs SHell lists for each specific weight. It's the zinc content that is important for our flat tapper engines.

[ItzaMe]

Originally Posted by cabmando

You need to check the specs. 15/40 is what I run in my diesel engines. I think they have a "dino" and synthetic version of it but I'm not certain. Again check the specs to make sure it meets the needs for the engine.

It meets the requirements for our engines but I just am asking is this Rotella 15w40 a synthetic or is it a non-synthetic?

Originally Posted by Otter74

I have a Fiat Spider and use Shell Rotella T in it, as it is one of the preferred oils for that car. As with other cars of that age, synthetics are not recommended and according to general consensus and also according to AutoSprint, my local shop and the best Italian car shop in the area, it is considered good for engines that should not use synthetic oil.

Thats what I heard is that for older motors, conventional is best that's where my question of what type the rotella is came about.

Originally Posted by Noah930

Do synthetic oils break down oil seals like you say? (Did not know that was true, but I have been wrong before.) Or are they just more apt to leak if the seals are already a bit compromised?

I have run Rotella in the past, but there are several different varieties of it now--look online to see what specs SHell lists for each specific weight. It's the zinc content that is important for our flat tapper engines.

I have read that some people sprung leaks after switching to synthetic and it was due to the older engine seals. I'm not 100% on what occurs and which seals but my only question is whether Rotella 15w40 is a synthetic or non-synthetic oil?

Thanks all

[grizzfan]

I think this link to Shell will answer your question: Shell Rotella® Products - Shell Rotella

Best,

Tom

[Noah930]

Rotella T is non-synthetic IIRC
However, there are other types of Rotella that are semi- and full synthetic

[ItzaMe]

Originally Posted by grizzfan

I think this link to Shell will answer your question: Shell Rotella® Products - Shell Rotella

Best,

Tom

Originally Posted by Noah930

Rotella T is non-synthetic IIRC
However, there are other types of Rotella that are semi- and full synthetic

Thanks guys

[Elombard]

Yes Rotella comes both ways, I use non synthetic. I would use the fancy stuff that everyone has gone to if I could get it locally but I cant and I dont want to pay to ship a case of already expensive oil.

Interesting note, I am getting ready to do my yearly oil change (<3000 miles, 1 track day) and the oil still looks like pretty new oil. I dont know if that's the Rotella or just a tight motor? at 100K miles I would expect some ring blow by that would turn the oil black....nope. I have noticed better hot temp pressures with the rotella on previous cars and this one, seems like a good thing.

[ItzaMe]

Originally Posted by Elombard

Yes Rotella comes both ways, I use non synthetic. I would use the fancy stuff that everyone has gone to if I could get it locally but I cant and I dont want to pay to ship a case of already expensive oil.

Interesting note, I am getting ready to do my yearly oil change (<3000 miles, 1 track day) and the oil still looks like pretty new oil. I dont know if that's the Rotella or just a tight motor? at 100K miles I would expect some ring blow by that would turn the oil black....nope. I have noticed better hot temp pressures with the rotella on previous cars and this one, seems like a good thing.

I've ran Rotella T6 in my 02 and 03 Subaru WRX's with nothing but good experiences and currently running it in my WRX as well.

This is what most likely to purchase:
-non-synthetic
-15w40

Shell Rotella T 15W-40 Heavy Duty Diesel Oil, 1 gal. - Walmart.com

[pampadori]

I'm not sure how to interpret clean oil after a year of use.
Some folks say that's how you can tell mobil 1 is better, it is taking more contaminants in and turns dark as a molasses pretty quickly.

I've run Rotella in a motorcycle with a high compression, high revving built up motor. Mostly because of fellow moto racers endorsing it. But never in anything else. maybe i should try it in the SC.
In my turbo motors i've always stuck to mobil 1 because the heat that it is capable of tolerating.
I ran a K26/27 hybrid non-water cooled cartridge turbo to its limits (literally, wastegate signal completely unhooked shoving 500hp worth of air into a 2.0L engine). That motor only got something other than mobil 1 when it was seating its rings the first 100 miles.
Using a lesser oil probably would have coked up the cartridge of the turbo pretty fast.

[emac]

I have been on Rotella Dino for years
I have higher oil pressure and each time I change it -it still looks new
Ernie 81sc