Engine Oil - "Diesel" versions of Rotella T/DeLo 400LE - ok for 3FE gasoline????

[rcke]

I have read the engine oil posts - and I am still not convinced that I am ok using the Shell Rotella T "Heavy Duty Diesel" and the Chevron DeLo 400LE (both as 15W-40) in my 1988 FJ62 with the 3FE petrol gasoline engine. They both say for diesel engines either on the label or on their spec sheets or whatever.

And for the Rotella....there is one with a front label that says "Heavy Duty Diesel" and ones that just say "Heavy Duty"

fyi - so california - just daily driver - 215K miles - 3FE

THanks!

 

[dbleon]

Yes.

 

[tag3]

I also use oil in my engine.

 

[TallCanDan]

Everyone's doing it.

 

[RockDoc]

It should be CJ (or whatever is current) rated for diesel and SL (or whatever) for gas engine use as well. Diesel oil was preferred because anti-wear additives that are important for solid lifter engines were kept higher than in most "gas" engine oils. Since the introduction of emission controlled diesels, the "diesel" oils have been neutered somewhat. If you are interested in putting in the best oil, read about ZDDP (a quick search on mud will give you lots of crap/gold to sift through).

FWIW, I used to run Caterpillar DEO in my 62 since they kept ZDDP levels high longer than many other diesel oils. Now I run Rotella with some ZDDP additive. Rotella is cheaper and can be picked up anywhere. 15W40 summer, 5W or 0W40 synthetic in the winter.

 

[Spike Strip]

Some say that the high-detergent levels in diesel oils are not good for sparker motors, but to the best of my knowledge, the people who say that are not petroleum engineers. Diesel oils are rated for BOTH compression and spark engines, under heavy-duty or severe conditions. Your alternative is to buy expensive boutique oils made for your type engine, or add zddp to current crop diesel or sparker oils. All depends on how much you want to spend. $40 oil changes are more my style, and I find that to be mildly outrageous for a 2F.

 

[mobydick]

My '62 gets 10/40 Valvoline for fall and winter, then 20/50 Castrol for spring / summer. At 235K, stock performance and no smoking or leaks anywhere. If you change oil twice a year no worries about the kind of oil - Just remember to put SOME kind of oil in after you drain it...!!