winter oil weight?

coldtaco · 11-09-06, 09:13 PM

Would 5-w30 be too light a engine oil at our "extreme" cold temps? What would be any side effects of using this weight of oil? If I remember correctly, I think I used dino 5-w30 the last two winters without any noticable bad side effects, which does not mean that I did not do any damage anyway. Thanks

brownbear · 11-09-06, 10:50 PM

I have used 0w40 too. If your in the temp range there is no side effects.

I say either 0w40 or 5w30. Where you are anything thicker is too thick. What are you minus 10 or more right now? I mean F not C.

crushers · 11-10-06, 02:19 AM

0/30 rottella T semi syn is what i run in the winter, starts good with very decent oil pressure...
cheers

The Dude · 11-10-06, 08:46 AM

15-40 amsoil or Mobil 1 synthetic all year round. Always have great oil pressure.

It's -27*C this morrning and I forgot to plug in the truck, It fired right up and the oil pressure gauge climbed instantly.

I do love my Cruiser!!

coldtaco · 11-10-06, 10:12 AM

yesterday morning was -20F to -25F. High was about 0F. This norming it is -2F and suppose to get back up into the teens, for how long nobody knows.

coldtaco · 11-10-06, 01:02 PM

Seems like the only Rotella T semi-synthetic I can get is in a 55gal drum

Anyone know anything about 76 Triton semi-syn. 15w-40? Thats about all I could find in a semi-synthetic.

dieseldan · 11-10-06, 01:56 PM

Amsoil 15/40 Synthetic rocks.

coldtaco · 11-10-06, 02:00 PM

I'm affraid to try full synthetic since I fear that the engine will start leaking oil everywhere. So far it is a pretty tight/clean engine. Supposedly has about 150,000km on it.

The Dude · 11-10-06, 02:07 PM

your statement drives me NUTZ

So, if better lubrication indicates that your seals are faulty, you would rather bury your head in the sand and not fix the outstanding problem???

IF, and that's a big IF, you start leaking with synthetic oil, fix the leaks. My bet is you won't have any. Especially if it is a clean enging to begin with.

IMO if synthetic is getting out, dirt and dust is getting in on dyno oil...

brownbear · 11-10-06, 02:08 PM

I still don't like running too thick in those temps. Find a diesel 0w30 or 40. Any blend of semi syn.

In fact I use the cheap the canadian tires stuff. Although I am not sure if c-tire has a 0 blend.

The 0 blend I used when I lived in Calgary was Rotella in the jug. definately not a 55 gal drum.

brownbear · 11-10-06, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Dude

your statement drives me NUTZ

So, if better lubrication indicates that your seals are faulty, you would rather bury your head in the sand and not fix the outstanding problem???

IF, and that's a big IF, you start leaking with synthetic oil, fix the leaks. My bet is you won't have any. Especially if it is a clean enging to begin with.

IMO if synthetic is getting out, dirt and dust is getting in on dyno oil...

So if your running with no leaks now. You have a higher mileage engine, why would you switch to full synthetic? What possible gains would that give? I say absolutely none.

For years these engines have faithfully gotten 500k total kms, or more. Is switching when your already high going to extend the life that much more.

Also it is a known fact with many that switching to Full Synt has caused leaks in 3B's.

Why does it leak? Probably a chemical reaction to the seals, maybe they shrink or harden slightly.

I get a big kick out people spending a ton of money on oil when there truck is 15 yrs plus and had been probably highly ignored for maintnenace by there Japanese PO.

Even worse when CDM owners with trucks that have well over 250k on them spending a fortune on oil.

So what do I prefer, good priced diesel rated oil for the tempurature I am operating in.

I have also been buying Napa brand semi syth 5w30. Seems like good oil. But how would I know. It starts and I get oil pressure.

The Dude · 11-10-06, 02:43 PM

I don't care if he switches to full synthetic or not. That wasn't my point. My point was the statement bothers me. It implies you know there might be an issue with a better lubricating product, and in my eyes to ignore that problem with going back to dyno oil is a mistake. It's not the seal material, it's a poor seal perid.

I also agree with your statements on dyno vs synthetic. if you dump you oil every 5000km, have a IDI engine, bought a high milage engine (over 400000km in my books) and don't live in a cold climate then I see no diffence in either product.

However, my JDM came with ultra low KMs, it's DI, I test my oil and run extended change intervals and I live in a location that is COLD. For me the benifits of synthetic are very noticable, and it's cheaper then dumping dyno oil every 5-7 thousand KM. So for me it makes sense.

coldtaco · 11-10-06, 04:40 PM

Well, lets see. I put in synthetic in my Taco for its first oil change, all is well 50,000mi later. I personally have not tried switching to a full syn. in a higher milage engine, but I have heard that you run the risk of starting oil leaks because the seals have maybe gotten harder and maybe deposits have gotten in the seals which are also helping to keep the oil in. Maybe I am all wrong on this? So, I have a pretty clean engine that does not leak oil, do I want to risk switching to synthetic and start getting oil leaks in places that I do not have the means or desire to fix seals?
I was at Napa and they did not say anything about selling a Napa brand semi-synthetic oil, will have to investigate that.

JDCruiser · 11-10-06, 07:29 PM

Hey taco,

We deal with some pretty cold temps up here in Northern Ontario, Canada and what I have found works the best (for a 3B Diesel Engine) is the Walmart Brand Diesel Engine Oil 0W40... It is synthetic, and you might get some more oil leaks but it is well worth it to know that your engine has the right viscosity oil, just ask my buddy who throw a push rod because he was refused to run 0W40...

I didn't observe any more leaks than before in my 3B...

Greg_B · 11-10-06, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coldtaco

Well, lets see. I put in synthetic in my Taco for its first oil change, all is well 50,000mi later. I personally have not tried switching to a full syn. in a higher milage engine, but I have heard that you run the risk of starting oil leaks because the seals have maybe gotten harder and maybe deposits have gotten in the seals which are also helping to keep the oil in. Maybe I am all wrong on this? So, I have a pretty clean engine that does not leak oil, do I want to risk switching to synthetic and start getting oil leaks in places that I do not have the means or desire to fix seals?
I was at Napa and they did not say anything about selling a Napa brand semi-synthetic oil, will have to investigate that.

Hello!

I would not hesitate to run Esso XD 0/40 full synth or Amsoil 15/40 full synth in the 13BT coldtaco. In fact, in the warm lowermainland I am running the 0/40 Esso in both 13BT's and a 12HT with no ill effect noticed with seals. In fact, clatter at startup is reduced, my pressure stays good when hot, and they seem to run smoother with the synth. Oil testing has shown I can run them past 10,000kms, however I dump new in at 10,000kms, and spin a new filter on at 5000km.

The 13BT/12HT/1HZ/1HD-T all have FIPG and no cork gaskets ala the 3B. When I tried some semi-synth in a 3B with fresh cork gaskets the oil puked out the gaskets.

hth's

gb

David*BJ70 · 11-11-06, 09:29 AM

Just another opinion :

1985 Landcruiser 3B 250 000km switch to synthetic oil at 230 000km = no leak
1992 Corolla 295 000km switch to synthetic oil at 235 000km = no leak

Island Moose · 11-12-06, 09:53 AM

I put synthetic in my 3B last summer, and it started leaking about a month later from the rear main seal and the oil pan gasket......so I replaced the rear main seal and the oil pan gasket....I think the benefits of a full synthetic oil outweigh the nuisance of having to replace seals that are old, shrivelled and held together by dinosaur oil.

Stone · 11-12-06, 11:27 AM

I agree with Dude and Greg...Stephan, you have a JDM engine under your hood (it ain't nowhere near high mileage). I wouldn't hesitate to put in full synthetic in a heartbeat, especially in the winter climate that you live in. As with Greg, I tried both Amsoil and Exxon XD3 Extra in my 1988 BJ74, and there wasn't a noticable increase in leaking or oil consumption at all. In fact, between the two synthetics, I would say that the much cheaper XD3 performed just as well as the Amsoil in UOA, and provided a slightly higher oil pressure reading to boot. Go for it! What's the worst that can happen?

brownbear · 11-12-06, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg_B

Hello! When I tried some semi-synth in a 3B with fresh cork gaskets the oil puked out the gaskets.

hth's

gb

Where there 3b's in the later years that had better seals?

If you bought replacement gaskets what would the material be?

coldtaco · 11-12-06, 09:12 PM

What about the Mobil1 0w-40 synthetic. It doesn't really spell out that it is for diesel applications, but it lists it as approved for the GM diesel.

Mark W · 11-12-06, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDCruiser

Hey taco,
It is synthetic, and you might get some more oil leaks but it is well worth it to know that your engine has the right viscosity oil, just ask my buddy who throw a push rod because he was refused to run 0W40...

.

How exactly did not running 0W40 result in a "thrown" pushrod?

Mark...

Stone · 11-13-06, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coldtaco

What about the Mobil1 0w-40 synthetic. It doesn't really spell out that it is for diesel applications, but it lists it as approved for the GM diesel.

When it says "API CF" on the bottle, that means that it exceeds the standards for that generation of diesel appropriate oils. CF is much more advanced an oil than what your 13B-T was designed for, and would easily exceed the specs for your engine. People have been using Mobil 1 synthetics on Toyota diesels for a long time with good results...just do a quick search of the site and see how many threads pop up.

dingdong · 11-13-06, 11:25 AM

I run Mobil 1 synthetic in a 1HZ, 3FE, 3B, and 2F (and my wifes Sienna).
The 3FE had a small rear main leak prior to running synthetic. About the size of a quarter over night. After synthetic, it was the size of a dollar bill. Changed out the rear main and no more leaks.
That was one of my favorite LandCruiser moments, the first time that none of my trucks leaked.
Anyways, I run synthetic fluids everywhere I can.

MADMARC · 11-15-06, 08:28 PM

What about good old fashion 5-30W or 10-30W... that should do just fine! right?

M John Galt · 11-15-06, 08:45 PM

What about the Mobil1 5w-50 synthetic in the 13B-T ?

Stone · 11-16-06, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MADMARC

What about good old fashion 5-30W or 10-30W... that should do just fine! right?

I personally haven't seen a diesel rated 5W30, but then again, I haven't looked as that is too light for my liking.

I tried synthetic diesel rated 10W30 in my 13B-T for a month one winter, but I personally felt it was too thin to offer adequate protection.

brownbear · 11-16-06, 04:46 PM

Napa gold semi syn is diesel rated. My local napa called their rep and he was able to confirm it was. It just doesn't say it on the bottle.

I ran it last winter in my Merc diesel with no ill effects. It had oil pressure and never burnt any. As far as lubricating properites..... I duuno

wesintl · 11-16-06, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Dude

I test my oil and run extended change intervals

Curious, what's the extended interval you run?

The Dude · 11-16-06, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wesintl

Curious, what's the extended interval you run?

I try and go 15000km with a filter every 5000km...but I never make it that far.

With a secondary oil filter, I was running 20000km plus...

11-09-06, 09:13 PM	#1
coldtaco IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 493	winter oil weight? Would 5-w30 be too light a engine oil at our "extreme" cold temps? What would be any side effects of using this weight of oil? If I remember correctly, I think I used dino 5-w30 the last two winters without any noticable bad side effects, which does not mean that I did not do any damage anyway. Thanks

11-09-06, 10:50 PM	#2
brownbear Mod in Hibernation Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Where diesels purr and turbos whine TLCA# 15584 Posts: 6,184	I have used 0w40 too. If your in the temp range there is no side effects. I say either 0w40 or 5w30. Where you are anything thicker is too thick. What are you minus 10 or more right now? I mean F not C. __________________ -84 BJ60, Finally on the FN road! -91 FJ80, wife's ride Iron Butt award winner of the Cruise Moab 08 !

11-10-06, 02:19 AM	#3
crushers IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 9,828	0/30 rottella T semi syn is what i run in the winter, starts good with very decent oil pressure... cheers __________________ pulling this info out of my ass so take it with a pound of salt "People are poor because they don't spend money wisely, tough sh!t !!! " John Galt 09/22/08 "educate yourself. Sorry if that seems too blunt." John Galt 11-01-08 Wayne in Ontario http://www.ivoac.ca join today

11-10-06, 08:46 AM	#4
The Dude IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Saskatoon, SK TLCA# 8113 Posts: 911	15-40 amsoil or Mobil 1 synthetic all year round. Always have great oil pressure. It's -27*C this morrning and I forgot to plug in the truck, It fired right up and the oil pressure gauge climbed instantly. I do love my Cruiser!! __________________ Brad T 88 HJ61 "Marmaduke " 12H-T, A440, extreme valve body, PI, cable lockers, PTO winch, SOA, 2" body lift, FF, ARP studs, Longfields, 5.29s, 38x14.5R16 Toyo MTs... 78 BJ 40/42/60

11-10-06, 01:56 PM	#7
dieseldan IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: C'eh N'eh D'eh Posts: 346	Amsoil 15/40 Synthetic rocks. __________________ HDJ81 lifted winched exhausted snorkeled diesel smoker - with a cup holder mod. Glow away. For Sale: http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/cto/942095303.html

11-10-06, 10:12 AM	#5
coldtaco IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 493	yesterday morning was -20F to -25F. High was about 0F. This norming it is -2F and suppose to get back up into the teens, for how long nobody knows.

11-10-06, 01:02 PM	#6
coldtaco IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 493	Seems like the only Rotella T semi-synthetic I can get is in a 55gal drum Anyone know anything about 76 Triton semi-syn. 15w-40? Thats about all I could find in a semi-synthetic.

11-10-06, 02:00 PM	#8
coldtaco IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 493	I'm affraid to try full synthetic since I fear that the engine will start leaking oil everywhere. So far it is a pretty tight/clean engine. Supposedly has about 150,000km on it.

11-10-06, 02:07 PM	#9
The Dude IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Saskatoon, SK TLCA# 8113 Posts: 911	your statement drives me NUTZ So, if better lubrication indicates that your seals are faulty, you would rather bury your head in the sand and not fix the outstanding problem??? IF, and that's a big IF, you start leaking with synthetic oil, fix the leaks. My bet is you won't have any. Especially if it is a clean enging to begin with. IMO if synthetic is getting out, dirt and dust is getting in on dyno oil... __________________ Brad T 88 HJ61 "Marmaduke " 12H-T, A440, extreme valve body, PI, cable lockers, PTO winch, SOA, 2" body lift, FF, ARP studs, Longfields, 5.29s, 38x14.5R16 Toyo MTs... 78 BJ 40/42/60

11-10-06, 02:08 PM	#10
brownbear Mod in Hibernation Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Where diesels purr and turbos whine TLCA# 15584 Posts: 6,184	I still don't like running too thick in those temps. Find a diesel 0w30 or 40. Any blend of semi syn. In fact I use the cheap the canadian tires stuff. Although I am not sure if c-tire has a 0 blend. The 0 blend I used when I lived in Calgary was Rotella in the jug. definately not a 55 gal drum. __________________ -84 BJ60, Finally on the FN road! -91 FJ80, wife's ride Iron Butt award winner of the Cruise Moab 08 !

11-10-06, 02:43 PM	#12
The Dude IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Saskatoon, SK TLCA# 8113 Posts: 911	I don't care if he switches to full synthetic or not. That wasn't my point. My point was the statement bothers me. It implies you know there might be an issue with a better lubricating product, and in my eyes to ignore that problem with going back to dyno oil is a mistake. It's not the seal material, it's a poor seal perid. I also agree with your statements on dyno vs synthetic. if you dump you oil every 5000km, have a IDI engine, bought a high milage engine (over 400000km in my books) and don't live in a cold climate then I see no diffence in either product. However, my JDM came with ultra low KMs, it's DI, I test my oil and run extended change intervals and I live in a location that is COLD. For me the benifits of synthetic are very noticable, and it's cheaper then dumping dyno oil every 5-7 thousand KM. So for me it makes sense. __________________ Brad T 88 HJ61 "Marmaduke " 12H-T, A440, extreme valve body, PI, cable lockers, PTO winch, SOA, 2" body lift, FF, ARP studs, Longfields, 5.29s, 38x14.5R16 Toyo MTs... 78 BJ 40/42/60

11-10-06, 04:40 PM	#13
coldtaco IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 493	Well, lets see. I put in synthetic in my Taco for its first oil change, all is well 50,000mi later. I personally have not tried switching to a full syn. in a higher milage engine, but I have heard that you run the risk of starting oil leaks because the seals have maybe gotten harder and maybe deposits have gotten in the seals which are also helping to keep the oil in. Maybe I am all wrong on this? So, I have a pretty clean engine that does not leak oil, do I want to risk switching to synthetic and start getting oil leaks in places that I do not have the means or desire to fix seals? I was at Napa and they did not say anything about selling a Napa brand semi-synthetic oil, will have to investigate that.

11-10-06, 07:29 PM	#14
JDCruiser IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 80	Hey taco, We deal with some pretty cold temps up here in Northern Ontario, Canada and what I have found works the best (for a 3B Diesel Engine) is the Walmart Brand Diesel Engine Oil 0W40... It is synthetic, and you might get some more oil leaks but it is well worth it to know that your engine has the right viscosity oil, just ask my buddy who throw a push rod because he was refused to run 0W40... I didn't observe any more leaks than before in my 3B... __________________ JD Cruiser - Canada 1981 BJ42 3B Diesel Engine Hard Top All Original

11-11-06, 09:29 AM	#16
David*BJ70 IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Montréal area, Qc., Canada TLCA# 15514 Posts: 943	Just another opinion : 1985 Landcruiser 3B 250 000km switch to synthetic oil at 230 000km = no leak 1992 Corolla 295 000km switch to synthetic oil at 235 000km = no leak __________________ BJ42 1982 * The Primitive Beast - wvo BJ70 1985 * The Green Machine - wvo some say The Mighty Pickle ! come on ! 1992CorollaAll-trac* The Quiet Spirit Si je dois aller en enfer... ce sera en Landcruiser (Canadian french guy (Québécois)... sorry for my english ! )

11-12-06, 09:53 AM	#17
Island Moose IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Auckland NZ via Vancouver Island Canada Posts: 818	I put synthetic in my 3B last summer, and it started leaking about a month later from the rear main seal and the oil pan gasket......so I replaced the rear main seal and the oil pan gasket....I think the benefits of a full synthetic oil outweigh the nuisance of having to replace seals that are old, shrivelled and held together by dinosaur oil. __________________ MOOSE SOLD HER - SOMEDAY SOON JDM's...THEY SAVED THE BEST FOR THEMSELVES!!

11-12-06, 11:27 AM	#18
Stone IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: May 2004 Location: BC, Canada TLCA# 13772 Posts: 1,992	I agree with Dude and Greg...Stephan, you have a JDM engine under your hood (it ain't nowhere near high mileage). I wouldn't hesitate to put in full synthetic in a heartbeat, especially in the winter climate that you live in. As with Greg, I tried both Amsoil and Exxon XD3 Extra in my 1988 BJ74, and there wasn't a noticable increase in leaking or oil consumption at all. In fact, between the two synthetics, I would say that the much cheaper XD3 performed just as well as the Amsoil in UOA, and provided a slightly higher oil pressure reading to boot. Go for it! What's the worst that can happen? __________________ Stone's Land Cruiser & Flyfishing Pics Flyfishing British Columbia: www.flyfishbc.com bcfishingreports.com

11-12-06, 09:12 PM	#20
coldtaco IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 493	What about the Mobil1 0w-40 synthetic. It doesn't really spell out that it is for diesel applications, but it lists it as approved for the GM diesel.

11-13-06, 11:25 AM	#23
dingdong IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: ab.ca TLCA# 13126 Posts: 81	I run Mobil 1 synthetic in a 1HZ, 3FE, 3B, and 2F (and my wifes Sienna). The 3FE had a small rear main leak prior to running synthetic. About the size of a quarter over night. After synthetic, it was the size of a dollar bill. Changed out the rear main and no more leaks. That was one of my favorite LandCruiser moments, the first time that none of my trucks leaked. Anyways, I run synthetic fluids everywhere I can. __________________ Paul H

11-15-06, 08:28 PM	#24
MADMARC IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 85	What about good old fashion 5-30W or 10-30W... that should do just fine! right? __________________ 1981 BJ42 (4''HFS - 33'' BFG/MT)

11-15-06, 08:45 PM	#25
M John Galt IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Possum Lake, Ontario CA Posts: 516	What about the Mobil1 5w-50 synthetic in the 13B-T ?

11-16-06, 04:46 PM	#27
brownbear Mod in Hibernation Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Where diesels purr and turbos whine TLCA# 15584 Posts: 6,184	Napa gold semi syn is diesel rated. My local napa called their rep and he was able to confirm it was. It just doesn't say it on the bottle. I ran it last winter in my Merc diesel with no ill effects. It had oil pressure and never burnt any. As far as lubricating properites..... I duuno __________________ -84 BJ60, Finally on the FN road! -91 FJ80, wife's ride Iron Butt award winner of the Cruise Moab 08 !