Taking a break from Rotella - Consumption?

little_joe · 08-04-08, 09:25 PM

I've been using the 5w-40 Rotella T since I got my 80 almost 2 yrs ago, but this oil change I went to Mobil1.

Is this normal? I do 5k mi oil changes nd the 80 is my DD. The Rotella is fine until roughly 3500 miles, then my consumption skyrockets. I might use 1/2 qt - 1 qt up to 3500 mi, then over the next 1500 I've needed to add 2+ quarts. I check the oil diligently and have a leak that might leave one dime-size spot a week, if that. No smoke or other indications of any oil-related problems. Everything else is perfectly normal, all maintenance is up to date, and the 80 runs great.

I don't have an oil analysis b/c evidently Blackstone has ignored my requests for a kit. Thus I am left with the theory that the Rotella is breaking down and shearing as it ages. The very unscientific oil pressure gauge also starts showing wide fluctuations at idle <--> higher rpms as I approach 5k miles on the oil, whereas it is more "steady" when the oil has 0 to ~2500 mi.

tacomafj-80 · 08-04-08, 10:17 PM

same here. i was using rotella and switched to m-1. with the m-1, i use about a quart between my 5k oil changes. with rotella, i was about almost double that. i dont know if it has antthing to do with it, but i also switched to a 10-40 with the mobil 1. go figure.

gotmud · 08-04-08, 10:39 PM

Interestingly, I switched from M1 to Rotella last oil change. For the first time since I have owned my 80, the oil light came on. A quick check of the oil revealed it was down more than 1 qt.

jfz80 · 08-05-08, 08:28 AM

hmmmmmm and i had the opposite results, and went to rotella vs the M1, Changing every 7500 and not missing any volume. I would think the M1 would find places to weep easier but maybe not.

nicholas · 08-05-08, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotmud

Interestingly, I switched from M1 to Rotella last oil change. For the first time since I have owned my 80, the oil light came on. A quick check of the oil revealed it was down more than 1 qt.

Dang it, is the oil light suppose to come on if it's 1-2 quarts low? If so, my oil light might have burned out and I was just in there doing the temp gauge mod.

Mine has never been that low since I've owned it, but it was at least 2 or 3 quarts low and blacker than tar when I bought it from the PO (and no oil light was on). I mainly used mobil 1 synthetic for the first 2 years and I would have about a quart burned between oil changes at 3500miles. I just switched to Rotella, but I haven't put enough miles on it yet to notice if it is low.

hj60 · 08-05-08, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicholas

Dang it, is the oil light suppose to come on if it's 1-2 quarts low? If so, my oil light might have burned out and I was just in there doing the temp gauge mod.

Your oil light should come on with the key ON and engine off.

nicholas · 08-05-08, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hj60

Your oil light should come on with the key ON and engine off.

I figured it should, I'll have to check when I get home.

agomez · 08-05-08, 01:34 PM

go back to rotella....why the switch?......

tacomafj-80 · 08-05-08, 02:04 PM

I switched cus m-1 is actually cheaper than rotella at wally mart. Talkin only a couple of bucks by the time all is added up. Every bit counts. I buy 3 big jugs at a time. 8 qts for the 80 and 7 for the taco (big filter and a t-100 oil pan).

89s rule · 08-05-08, 02:21 PM

Which Rotella are yall using? At walmart here they only have 15w40 in the cheaper high grade dino oil, where as the 5w40 is only in the blue synthetic container and costs almost double. I just changed oil for the first time in my 80. (After having to wrestle poke a hole and use a rod to remove the oil filter that felt like it was installed with a breaker bar!

) I used the 15w40 this change and will try to find some 5w30 or 5w40 for the winter.

tacomafj-80 · 08-05-08, 03:39 PM

I was using the 5-40 synthetic in the blue container. Here in el paso, its always on the shelf at wal mart. Last time i checked it was around 16 bucks and climbing.

89s rule · 08-05-08, 08:07 PM

Its $18 in SC and the other Rotella is $9.95

AKcruiserfreak · 08-05-08, 10:27 PM

I've been running the Rotella 5W-40 for a couple of years and have noticed no oil consumption at all, and no leaks. I have 112k miles. It also stays the same honey color for 3500 miles with a NAPA filter.

TK

alkaline747trio · 08-06-08, 03:58 PM

The issue seems to be the weight of the oil, it's summer and you're using 5-40....that's not a good choice anywhere in the lower 48 right now I would have to say.

Ebag333 · 08-06-08, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alkaline747trio

The issue seems to be the weight of the oil, it's summer and you're using 5-40....that's not a good choice anywhere in the lower 48 right now I would have to say.

Care to explain why? I'm running 5-40 in both my rigs and the stay exactly in the "normal" range (bottom of the range at idle, top at WOT). 10-30 would often drop quite a bit lower than I was comfortable with (hence the switch).

BrotherRob · 08-06-08, 05:46 PM

My guess would be that you are over filling it slightly at the oil change. Meaning you have more oil after changing than after topping off.

little_joe · 08-06-08, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alkaline747trio

The issue seems to be the weight of the oil, it's summer and you're using 5-40....that's not a good choice anywhere in the lower 48 right now I would have to say.

Um, so why did the exact same thing happen during winter?

Next.......

alkaline747trio · 08-06-08, 11:03 PM

Still too thin of oil, it don't get cold here in north carolina anymore. 20-50 regular dino or syn. doesn't burn through like any lighter dino or syn did in my 3FE.

You live in Raleigh area anyways, it's way too hot there for 5-40

alkaline747trio · 08-06-08, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ebag333

Care to explain why? I'm running 5-40 in both my rigs and the stay exactly in the "normal" range (bottom of the range at idle, top at WOT). 10-30 would often drop quite a bit lower than I was comfortable with (hence the switch).

10-30 is thinner oil, the first number just tells you it's cold rating. second number is the weight.

BrotherRob · 08-07-08, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alkaline747trio

Still too thin of oil, it don't get cold here in north carolina anymore. 20-50 regular dino or syn. doesn't burn through like any lighter dino or syn did in my 3FE.

You live in Raleigh area anyways, it's way too hot there for 5-40

I run 5-40 in Arizona. It was 108 here yesterday. No problems. I would not run a 30 weight here.

08-04-08, 09:25 PM	#1
little_joe IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: RTP NC TLCA# 10568 Posts: 586	Taking a break from Rotella - Consumption? I've been using the 5w-40 Rotella T since I got my 80 almost 2 yrs ago, but this oil change I went to Mobil1. Is this normal? I do 5k mi oil changes nd the 80 is my DD. The Rotella is fine until roughly 3500 miles, then my consumption skyrockets. I might use 1/2 qt - 1 qt up to 3500 mi, then over the next 1500 I've needed to add 2+ quarts. I check the oil diligently and have a leak that might leave one dime-size spot a week, if that. No smoke or other indications of any oil-related problems. Everything else is perfectly normal, all maintenance is up to date, and the 80 runs great. I don't have an oil analysis b/c evidently Blackstone has ignored my requests for a kit. Thus I am left with the theory that the Rotella is breaking down and shearing as it ages. The very unscientific oil pressure gauge also starts showing wide fluctuations at idle <--> higher rpms as I approach 5k miles on the oil, whereas it is more "steady" when the oil has 0 to ~2500 mi. __________________ Joe 1995 FZJ80, locked, 210K and counting Olde North State Cruisers of NC

08-04-08, 10:17 PM	#2
tacomafj-80 IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: el paso Posts: 123	same here. i was using rotella and switched to m-1. with the m-1, i use about a quart between my 5k oil changes. with rotella, i was about almost double that. i dont know if it has antthing to do with it, but i also switched to a 10-40 with the mobil 1. go figure. __________________ -97 lx 450, OME 850-860, 285 revos, CDL, hand throttle, cup holder, ARB bumper, MM 9000 winch, slee sway bar drops, interior tire carrier, Kaymar rear -96 Tacoma, SAS Dana 44, Locked and loaded with 4.88's -TLCA Member -Give me NAPALM and Ill end the problem.

08-04-08, 10:39 PM	#3
gotmud IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gringolandia TLCA# 18039 Posts: 531	Interestingly, I switched from M1 to Rotella last oil change. For the first time since I have owned my 80, the oil light came on. A quick check of the oil revealed it was down more than 1 qt. __________________ 1994 FZJ80

08-05-08, 08:28 AM	#4
jfz80 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: la punta alto TLCA# 16634 Posts: 1,838	hmmmmmm and i had the opposite results, and went to rotella vs the M1, Changing every 7500 and not missing any volume. I would think the M1 would find places to weep easier but maybe not. __________________ 95 FZJ-80 Lifted, Locked, armored,37'd, blown and bigelow enhanced ; single digit MPG wondermobile 72 FJ-55 IPOR bumpers/sliders, SOA, 3'' BL, 8274, and a big ole F'n engine, 35' (for sale) 92 P/U stock, lil lady owned, gas miser/DD/worker aka tiny tim

08-05-08, 01:34 PM	#8
agomez IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 285	go back to rotella....why the switch?...... __________________ 2000 uzj100 1995 Fzj80 Pearl Gray mallcruiser with damage multipliers front and back tacos al cabron

08-05-08, 02:04 PM	#9
tacomafj-80 IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: el paso Posts: 123	I switched cus m-1 is actually cheaper than rotella at wally mart. Talkin only a couple of bucks by the time all is added up. Every bit counts. I buy 3 big jugs at a time. 8 qts for the 80 and 7 for the taco (big filter and a t-100 oil pan). __________________ -97 lx 450, OME 850-860, 285 revos, CDL, hand throttle, cup holder, ARB bumper, MM 9000 winch, slee sway bar drops, interior tire carrier, Kaymar rear -96 Tacoma, SAS Dana 44, Locked and loaded with 4.88's -TLCA Member -Give me NAPALM and Ill end the problem.

08-05-08, 02:21 PM	#10
89s rule <>< Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Due West, SC TLCA# 14198 Posts: 2,933	Which Rotella are yall using? At walmart here they only have 15w40 in the cheaper high grade dino oil, where as the 5w40 is only in the blue synthetic container and costs almost double. I just changed oil for the first time in my 80. (After having to wrestle poke a hole and use a rod to remove the oil filter that felt like it was installed with a breaker bar! ) I used the 15w40 this change and will try to find some 5w30 or 5w40 for the winter. __________________ '93 FZJ 32K miles - 850/863's, 285 MTR's & Lightforce 240's waiting. '89 FJ62 - 4" Alcan, 33" BFG MT's, 4.88's, Lockright (rear), 4runner calipers, & 3' firestick. Cruise in the garage. FOR SALE! '97 4Runner SR5 - 4x4, leather, '06 4runner rims, 265/70/17 Toyo AT, TJM T-15, 3 baby seats. (Wife's DD) '83 FJ60 - DooDoo Brown in and out FOR SALE! '63 Biscayne Wagon - Kandy Green and Tweed. Family Wagon 3rd row in the garage. Erskine College Upstate Cruisers

08-05-08, 03:39 PM	#11
tacomafj-80 IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: el paso Posts: 123	I was using the 5-40 synthetic in the blue container. Here in el paso, its always on the shelf at wal mart. Last time i checked it was around 16 bucks and climbing. __________________ -97 lx 450, OME 850-860, 285 revos, CDL, hand throttle, cup holder, ARB bumper, MM 9000 winch, slee sway bar drops, interior tire carrier, Kaymar rear -96 Tacoma, SAS Dana 44, Locked and loaded with 4.88's -TLCA Member -Give me NAPALM and Ill end the problem.

08-05-08, 08:07 PM	#12
89s rule <>< Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Due West, SC TLCA# 14198 Posts: 2,933	Its $18 in SC and the other Rotella is $9.95 __________________ '93 FZJ 32K miles - 850/863's, 285 MTR's & Lightforce 240's waiting. '89 FJ62 - 4" Alcan, 33" BFG MT's, 4.88's, Lockright (rear), 4runner calipers, & 3' firestick. Cruise in the garage. FOR SALE! '97 4Runner SR5 - 4x4, leather, '06 4runner rims, 265/70/17 Toyo AT, TJM T-15, 3 baby seats. (Wife's DD) '83 FJ60 - DooDoo Brown in and out FOR SALE! '63 Biscayne Wagon - Kandy Green and Tweed. Family Wagon 3rd row in the garage. Erskine College Upstate Cruisers

08-05-08, 10:27 PM	#13
AKcruiserfreak IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: North Pole, Ak Posts: 668	I've been running the Rotella 5W-40 for a couple of years and have noticed no oil consumption at all, and no leaks. I have 112k miles. It also stays the same honey color for 3500 miles with a NAPA filter. TK __________________ 1971 FJ-40 2" shackle lift, 33" BFG,PTO winch, lots o' miles, con fer roof rack, safety yellow, weber 38dgas, Downey header. 1993 FZJ-80 114k, new ecu, ARB/Warn12k, Wild Country TXR 285's,Astrostart autostart, OME850J+1" Slee spacers,OME863 rear, Blue hub, 67" sliders.

08-06-08, 03:58 PM	#14
alkaline747trio ......what? Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Blacksburg VA or Albemarle NC Posts: 3,956	The issue seems to be the weight of the oil, it's summer and you're using 5-40....that's not a good choice anywhere in the lower 48 right now I would have to say. __________________ '92 - 3FE POWER'D! -- Slee 6"/OME 863J, Pro-Comp 14" ES3000/N74L, Gen. 2 Slee Front Control Arms, T-G Sliders, Ext. Diff. Breathers, DBA Gold S/D Rotors, Slee SS Brake Lines, 5.29s, Aussie Locker'd rear, 35" TrXus STS Street/38.5x11 Boggers Trail, some black bed-liner on the outside, some orange inside, 180k. '85 Honda Accord - 55MPG!!! -- No air filter, Custom Burple (blue and purple) Paint. Upstate Cruisers

08-06-08, 05:46 PM	#16
BrotherRob IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Scottsdale, AZ TLCA# 16091 Posts: 226	My guess would be that you are over filling it slightly at the oil change. Meaning you have more oil after changing than after topping off. __________________ Rob Patterson Copper State Cruisers Scottsdale AZ. 97 FZJ80 Locked, J springs 315s ARB front 4x4 labs rear bumper. 87 4Runner.

08-06-08, 11:03 PM	#18
alkaline747trio ......what? Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Blacksburg VA or Albemarle NC Posts: 3,956	Still too thin of oil, it don't get cold here in north carolina anymore. 20-50 regular dino or syn. doesn't burn through like any lighter dino or syn did in my 3FE. You live in Raleigh area anyways, it's way too hot there for 5-40 __________________ '92 - 3FE POWER'D! -- Slee 6"/OME 863J, Pro-Comp 14" ES3000/N74L, Gen. 2 Slee Front Control Arms, T-G Sliders, Ext. Diff. Breathers, DBA Gold S/D Rotors, Slee SS Brake Lines, 5.29s, Aussie Locker'd rear, 35" TrXus STS Street/38.5x11 Boggers Trail, some black bed-liner on the outside, some orange inside, 180k. '85 Honda Accord - 55MPG!!! -- No air filter, Custom Burple (blue and purple) Paint. Upstate Cruisers

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