Shell Rotella T6 5w40 for winter weight oil?

[itsonlygeorge]

I have heard that people use Shell Rotella oil in their E30's due to its higher ZDDP content. I need to switch out my Mobil1 15w50 since it's starting to get cold here and I need an oil change anyway.

Do any of you guys use Rotella T6 5w40 as a winter weight oil? Last year I used Mobil1 10w40 during the winter, but it's not cheap! I'm just looking for feedback from anyone who has used/tried the Rotella T6 in their m20.

[dnguyen1963]

I have not used T6, but keep in mind that it is synthetic and might have higher detergent content (might be bad for good old M20). Rotella 15W40 can be used all the way down to <20F. I have this oil in my car year round and the only days I do not drive it are when the temp drops below 15F.

[Old525i]

I have not used T6, but keep in mind that it is synthetic and might have higher detergent content (might be bad for good old M20). Rotella 15W40 can be used all the way down to <20F. I have this oil in my car year round and the only days I do not drive it are when the temp drops below 15F.

Just curious why T6 and M20s don't mix?

[redlightpete]

I've used it year round in my m20. My 250k mile valvetrain was fairly worn when disassembled, but that may have happened during the 150k before I owned it. I'm pretty slack with the oil change intervals too.

[Old525i]

Another data point about valve train wear:
My M20 needed exhaust guides, new cam and rockers at 210k miles. I used synthetic and sometimes dino juice. Considering that it is past its half way life, I thought it was doing fine.

[itsonlygeorge]

I have not used T6, but keep in mind that it is synthetic and might have higher detergent content (might be bad for good old M20).

I run Mobil1 full synthetic now. Sure it leaks a little, but I'm pretty sure that most m20 engines will leak a little after 220k miles. I am guessing you meant higher detergent content that is more for diesel engines and might be detrimental to gas engines. I have read that this higher detergent content can cause performance issues such as loss of compression or stress on the piston rings etc.

Rotella 15W40 can be used all the way down to <20F. I have this oil in my car year round and the only days I do not drive it are when the temp drops below 15F.

Well I live in Maine and last winter I ran Mobil1 10w30 IIRC. It was below 0F for most of January and February, usually about -10F in the morning and night.

I just thought that the Rotella T6 (5w40) or Triple T (15w40) might be a cheaper option that Mobil1 10w30 for the winter. Mobil1 is about $10 a quart while a gallon of Rotella is under $20. I know some people run Rotella oil and I want to find out if its a good/bad idea to run it on my high mileage m20. As far as I know my engine is in good shape, however it will soon need a rebuild (probably could use new main bearings on the crank, new rocker eccentrics, ARP headbolts, etc)

[estoguy]

I had considered T6 for my E30, as I'd run it in my '99 Jetta for years with no problems.

Personally, I use the Castrol Edge 5w50, as it comes on sale regularly at Canadian Tire for about $10 less a jug than the Rotella. I've been running it close to three years with no problems, summer or winter. I live 2 hours north of Toronto, BTW. I've only had once instance where I had trouble starting, but I think it was having my tank half empty on a night where the temp dropped like a stone overnight.

I don't think you'd have any problems.

[lcoleman]

I've used it in a daily beater eta. It's a little thin for the m20, lots of valve tick. The regular Rotella seems to work fine. I'd stick with m1, you can get it almost as cheap if you can find a 5 qt jug at wal mart.

[dnguyen1963]

I run Mobil1 full synthetic now. Sure it leaks a little, but I'm pretty sure that most m20 engines will leak a little after 220k miles. I am guessing you meant higher detergent content that is more for diesel engines and might be detrimental to gas engines. I have read that this higher detergent content can cause performance issues such as loss of compression or stress on the piston rings etc.



Well I live in Maine and last winter I ran Mobil1 10w30 IIRC. It was below 0F for most of January and February, usually about -10F in the morning and night.

I just thought that the Rotella T6 (5w40) or Triple T (15w40) might be a cheaper option that Mobil1 10w30 for the winter. Mobil1 is about $10 a quart while a gallon of Rotella is under $20. I know some people run Rotella oil and I want to find out if its a good/bad idea to run it on my high mileage m20. As far as I know my engine is in good shape, however it will soon need a rebuild (probably could use new main bearings on the crank, new rocker eccentrics, ARP headbolts, etc)

Go for T6 and let me know how it works for you. I have been thinking about going down to 0W grade to get a few more driving days out of the winter.

[Exodus_2pt0]

I'd consider running molasses in an m20.

Seriously though, I run t6 in everything I own. Might even put the used shit in my lawnmower for giggles.

Full disclosure, the zinc content of Rotella is what switched me from m1 15w50.

[TobyB]

Ironically, the m1 15-50 is the only 'high' zddp m1 any more...

t

[itsonlygeorge]

Ironically, the m1 15-50 is the only 'high' zddp m1 any more...

Really? I thought that other M1 synthetics are also high zddp.


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[TobyB]

https://mobiloil.com/~/media/amer/us/pvl/files/pdfs/mobil-1-oil-product-specs-guide.pdf

I was wrong. The V-twin tractor oil's the highest...

1200ppm seems to be safe in racing M10's, if the cam's broken in properly.

t

edit: well, I read further (farther?) and Mobil's now making race oil.
I got excited, except that it's twice what street oil costs. Which calmed me right down again.

[itsonlygeorge]

im going to track down some of the 10w30 HM. ZDDP is 1100, good enough.

[Northern]

any reason you want to avoid the tried and true castrol gtx? It goes on sale for like $10 at walmart for a 5L jug (and I mean $10 canadian, so it's probably only like 1$ US south of the border)