Shell Rotella T 15W40 users

[spedrcr]

Looks like the tried and true old Triple protection is being phased out. Before I go hunting around on the Shell website for specs on the new T4, I thought I would ask the large collective group for their knowledge and input on this new formulation from Shell. Looking for comparable Zinc amounts amongst other additives. Thanks in advance!

[81Kremer930]

I run this in my cars, and have done so for 5 years. No issues to date!

[creaturecat]

i went cold turkey on the Rotella a couple of years ago. i e-mailed Shell for specs, they never replied to me.
i now use VR1.

[Targalid]

I have been using Delo LE-400 15W-40 which is the new formulation (LE = low emission) that has about 1200 ppm ZDDP. You can access the product data sheet (PDS) here. It says that the zinc by mass percent is .13 and the phosphorus is .12. I think that works out conservatively to about 1200 ppm. I have not checked Rotella but my guess is that they too have similar ZDDP with their new oil formula.
Delo 400 LE SAE 15W-40

[DRACO A5OG]

Originally Posted by Targalid

I have been using Delo LE-400 15W-40 which is the new formulation (LE = low emission) that has about 1200 ppm ZDDP. You can access the product data sheet (PDS) here. It says that the zinc by mass percent is .13 and the phosphorus is .12. I think that works out conservatively to about 1200 ppm. I have not checked Rotella but my guess is that they too have similar ZDDP with their new oil formula.
Delo 400 LE SAE 15W-40

+1, saw significant heat reduction as a bonus and engine noise reduction as well. Used for break in after cam swap and have not gone back to VR1

[spedrcr]

I used Delo 400 Dino by the gallon in my old powerstroke diesel. Great oil, available at Costco and lots of gas stations too. I haven't seen the updated dino Delo in years, then again I haven't been looking. Headed to Costco this morning!

[Alfasrule]

When HOT VR1 in the winter Rotella never let me down!

[hoss4659]

For a scientific look at the protection provided by engine oils do a search for "540RAT tech facts NOT myths" or go to "https://540ratblog.wordpress.com". The 2014 .pdf version I have is 187 pages long and has test results for over 180 oils in measurement of their film strength under real world conditions. Either 210 or 230 degrees F (my memory is foggy.) The engineer doing the tests is constantly up dating the test results. IIRC the top rated 25 oils were all synthetic, over 100k psi film strength. Again IIRC, Rotella's film strength was in the 70k psi range. ZDDP content and viscosity showed no one to one relationship to film strength.

[Nader]

Why not just add a bottle or two of Rislone ZDDP supplement to a decent synthetic oil when doing the change?

[H2OSB]

Originally Posted by nader

why not just add a bottle or two of rislone zddp supplement to a decent synthetic oil when doing the change?

+1

[Reiver]

Originally Posted by Nader

Why not just add a bottle or two of Rislone ZDDP supplement to a decent synthetic oil when doing the change?

-1
Adding 'stuff' to a formulated oil mix is not the best way...it can have neg effects.
There are numerous properly formulated oils for flat tappet engines.

BTW, a 40 weight, in certain hot areas, is on the weak side for a 911 of the aircooled variety in many prof. opinions.....my wrench for one who's factory trained (back in the day) and doing this for 40 years.

[uwanna]

Originally Posted by Nader

Why not just add a bottle or two of Rislone ZDDP supplement to a decent synthetic oil when doing the change?

Here's the reason to not use additives. If your oil already has 1200 or so ZDDP and you add more, you will have no idea how much ZDDP you have and it could be detrimental!
See here:
Oil Additive?

[db_cooper]

The "new" Rotella T4 15w40 Dino oil still has the CJ-4, CI-4+ and SM API service ratings, same as the old Triple Protection Rotella. The new Rotella T5 15w40 semi synthetic has the same service ratings too. Two blends of Rotella 15w40 now.

So it probably has about the same additives as our older Rotella..just different packaging.

When Rotella gets the new API "CK" rating then it will be time to get a virgin oil analysis and see what has changed..right now. no.

I am fond of the Delo 15w40 too, like targalid and Draco. In testing it is very close to a 15w50 and has a great additive package, with a nice dose of Boron and Magnesium too.

Petroleum Quality Institute of America

[SCrescue]

Subscribed

[stownsen914]

Originally Posted by hoss4659

For a scientific look at the protection provided by engine oils do a search for "540RAT tech facts NOT myths" or go to "https://540ratblog.wordpress.com". The 2014 .pdf version I have is 187 pages long and has test results for over 180 oils in measurement of their film strength under real world conditions. Either 210 or 230 degrees F (my memory is foggy.) The engineer doing the tests is constantly up dating the test results. IIRC the top rated 25 oils were all synthetic, over 100k psi film strength. Again IIRC, Rotella's film strength was in the 70k psi range. ZDDP content and viscosity showed no one to one relationship to film strength.

I read RAT's oil test blog a few weeks ago. It is an interesting read. Then I began to wonder why these seemingly objective test results aren't plastered all over the internet, so I did some additional searching and found a few posts discrediting the test method he uses. I don't know enough to say one way or the other whether the results are meaningful. I'd love to see some discussion on RAT's motor oil testing.

Scott

[nein14]

I've used it in my 914 2.0 turbo GT for over 12 years with no problems

[spedrcr]

3 gallons of Delo 400 LE for sale at Costco for $37.99. Cheaper than any sale I can ever find on Rotella. Plus one for Delo

Checked out the PQIA charts for both Delo and Rotella. Seems like the additive package on Delo is higher on many of minerals our engines would benefit from. Plus two for Delo

Chevron gas is common around the PNW so I can access Delo, especially in the quart size a bit more easily than Rotella. Plus 0.5 more for Delo because there are a lot of Shell stations too!

1500 miles until my next oil change. I used a quart in the first 1500 miles on my 144K mile stock 3.2. I'll compare what comes out at the change and then switch to Delo and start new documentation on Delo usage.

[db_cooper]

You can get Delo 15w40 in a single jug of 2.5 gallons for $29.00 over at wally world. Just about perfect for a 911.

[Smoove1010]

Delo 400 LE fans: It looks like it's been superseded by Delo 400 SDE and/or Delo 400 XLE... Has anyone used either of them or can interpret the specs vs. LE?
GK

[db_cooper]

Originally Posted by Smoove1010

Delo 400 LE fans: It looks like it's been superseded by Delo 400 SDE and/or Delo 400 XLE... Has anyone used either of them or can interpret the specs vs. LE?
GK

No notes from Chevron about Delo 400LE CJ-4/SM being superseded by another product line and it is still available most anywhere. Delo 400LE is still being promoted on the Chevron website too.https://cglapps.chevron.com/msdspds/PDSDetailPage.aspx?docDataId=415568&docFormat=PDF

Delo 400 SDE is a new 15w40 product line with a CK-4/SN rating..CK-4 heavy duty engine oil specifically formulated for 2017 greenhouse gas (GHG-17) compliant diesel engines designed to meet lower CO2 emissions. It has about 820ppm zinc and 760ppm phosphorus.

Not all manufacturers are jumping on the new CK-4 spec..I suspect the Delo 400LE will be around for a while for the majority over the road trucking fleet.

Delo 400 XLE is a different viscosity 10w30 CJ-4/SM rated oil with 1300ppm zinc and 1100ppm phosphorus.