Original Post: I have read two articles in the past concerning the use of the primarily diesel engine oils in passenger cars but i cannot relocate them on the web.
Some wannabe Lube Specialists are advocating these fleet oils saying they will both clean a modern engine thats gunked up and will not decrease gas mileage whatsoever .
These articles I mentioned told of the obvious possible premature cat converter poisoning and went on to say since the detergents and dispersants were not really meant for gas engines the use of could actually increase deposits inside the engine . They were not speaking of combustion chambers .
Can someone share information on this that will set these amatures straight ? If it were meant for primary family car engines Shell and other makers would bottle it and put it on the store shelves advertising to the fact .
Thanks and help me out please
From Rotella Resident "Expert": ROTELLA T Multigrade and ROTELLA T Synthetic are universal oils, meeting API Service Categories CI-4 for diesel engines, and SL for gasoline engines. Where the engine manufacturer recommends oil meeting either one (or both) of these Service Categories, or earlier categories, ROTELLA T can be a good choice. However, ROTELLA T does not meet all the requirements of ILSAC and API Certification Mark (starburst symbol) standards, sometimes specified for gasoline engine oils (in addition to API SL). These additional standards deal with fuel economy, and also limit phosphorus content (an element in all engine oils, but usually at a higher concentration in diesel oils). Phosphorus can affect catalyst activity in some exhaust emission control systems.
If the engine maker specifies only API SL (or earlier designation), then the catalyst is likely not sensitive to higher levels of phosphorus. If they also specify ILSAC standards, using ROTELLA T may risk some catalyst activity loss.
For fuel economy purposes and very cold temperature performance, passenger car engine manufacturers usually recommend lower viscosity grade oils than SAE 15W-40. Using this viscosity grade will likely cost the user some small loss in fuel economy. Also, ILSAC and starburst oils contain a special friction modifier (not present in universal oils) that can benefit fuel economy.
Using ROTELLA T in a gasoline engine will not result in increased deposit levels because of ROTELLA T’s additive content. I would expect the opposite – fewer deposits
Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 09:23 pm, by: Dominic Kelly(Drk_awd)
I don't think it will hurt a petrol engine at all. If you want to read up on people's experiences with oils - in particular the use of diesel specific engine oils in petrol engines - then take a look at the BITOG site (Bob is the Oil guy).
There are some very knowledgeable people posting on there and to say they're a bit obsessive about their engine oil is an understatement.
I've only had a quick look but I've seen quite a few posts where Rotella T and especially Mobil Delvac 1 have some very positive oil analysis results when used in petrol engines.
Delvac 1 is often used in rallying when privateers are on a budget and can't afford the big dollar Motul and Elf oils.
I wouldn't have any problem with using Delvac 1 or Rotella T in my car.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 12:50 pm, by: Anish Varsani(Yomama)
Delo 400 and RX super are commonly available at supercheap and bigW. What I use in most cars in our family especially the camries. Seems to keep them clean compared to SL only oils.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006 - 12:55 pm, by: Cihan Aday(Cihan)
I heard and read about guys using diesel engine oil in their Porsche's for the past 10 or so years with no dramas.
I have thought about this before, and ive come to the conclusion it can't do any harm to use diesel oil as a driving flush every few oil changes, much better than harsh engine flush additives..
Wednesday, July 19, 2006 - 05:57 am, by: Anish Varsani(Yomama)
The only thing you have to be carefull of in oils that only state the diesel rating is the Phosphorous content as it contaminates cat converters and oxygen sensors over time.
Apart from that, most diesel oils typically have more zinc (antiwear additive) and more sulfated ash (detergent) content as compared to car only rated oil.
My main reason for using it is that I used to have a bike and a car to change oil on so I usually bought a 20L drum of 15W40 oil. The diesel oil was usually cheaper from the local distrubutor probably because they sold more of it.
Saturday, September 09, 2006 - 12:53 am, by: Dan McColl(Hoon)
The main problem you can run into is if you start using diesel oil on a used car, the extra detergents can flush out any sludge that may be hiding in the engine and this sludge can then block up oil galleries and what not.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011 - 08:13 am, by: David Henderson(Hendo)
What are the oil minimum standards for our cars?
Delo has an amazingly good rap from those who know about oils. heaps of anti shear additives and detergents. I use it in my (air cooled) bike.
There are some people online who mix their own semi synth using group iv synthetics (mobil 1, redline) as they know they are getting a premium base II oil with a good additive package, plus the true group IV synthetic (not the mislabeled group III synths) containing heaps of ester goodness. The phospherous content is something to consider though
"While modest by typical heavy duty diesel standards, Delo 400 Multigrade has a level of phosphorus higher than permitted by certain recent standards for passenger car motor oils, e.g. ILSAC GF-5, and the ACEA "C" standards. Optimum life of catalytic emission control systems will be achieved by using oils of the performance standard recommended by the vehicle manufacturer."
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