"Diesel" oil

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zachmac
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Your car is a: 1978 Spider [1979 2 ltr engine]
Location: Aiken, SC

"Diesel" oil

Postby zachmac » Fri Jul 28, 2017 4:43 pm

I will first admit that a search got me previous threads that said yeah, go for it. But, just to check:

Getting ready to do an oil change and it is very hot here in SC and never goes anywhere near freezing and the Fiat manual says run 15-40 W. Run to the auto parts store and the only 15-40W is "diesel" oil. Quick internet search says no problem as long as the weight is okay for your car and you'll get added detergent and zinc to boot.

So, anyone running "Diesel" oil and if yes had any issues. I'm not running any emmision equipment so the zinc shouldn't be an issue.

BTW, it is 1/2 the cost of "regular" oil so why the heck not?

Lastly, DieselSpider please resist the urge to tell me you do it all the time! :D
Jeff Klein, Aiken, SC
1980 FI Spider, Veridian with Tan (sold about a year ago), in the market for another project
1989 Spider, sold
2008 Mercedes SL65
2008 S600 Mercedes V12

NSFIAT
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Joined: Wed Jul 10, 2013 7:09 pm
Your car is a: 1981 Pininfarina

Re: "Diesel" oil

Postby NSFIAT » Fri Jul 28, 2017 5:55 pm

I've been using Shell Rotella for 4 years now without issue - 15-40!

PhillySpider
Posts: 325
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2016 6:51 pm
Your car is a: 1980 Spider 2000
Location: New Hope, PA

Re: "Diesel" oil

Postby PhillySpider » Fri Jul 28, 2017 7:11 pm

NSFIAT wrote:I've been using Shell Rotella for 4 years now without issue - 15-40!

^^^this. Don't know what the PO ran, but bought the car and immediately flushed all fluids. Research at that time told me to go with Rotella as well.

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joelittel
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Your car is a: 1980 Spider 2000 FI
Location: Evanston, IL

Re: "Diesel" oil

Postby joelittel » Fri Jul 28, 2017 7:35 pm

I use Shell Rotella as well

zachmac
Posts: 1278
Joined: Sun Aug 24, 2008 9:20 am
Your car is a: 1978 Spider [1979 2 ltr engine]
Location: Aiken, SC

Re: "Diesel" oil

Postby zachmac » Fri Jul 28, 2017 8:07 pm

Thanks for all the quick replies. Rotella is is.
Jeff Klein, Aiken, SC
1980 FI Spider, Veridian with Tan (sold about a year ago), in the market for another project
1989 Spider, sold
2008 Mercedes SL65
2008 S600 Mercedes V12

Jimb
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Your car is a: 1985.5 Volumex

Re: "Diesel" oil

Postby Jimb » Fri Jul 28, 2017 11:42 pm

Another vote for Shell Rotella

Jim

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johndemar
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Joined: Sun Feb 24, 2008 11:12 am
Your car is a: 1976 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Phoenix

Re: "Diesel" oil

Postby johndemar » Sat Jul 29, 2017 8:41 am

Shell has reformulated their oil and I don't believe it's as preferable as it once was. I know there is a post here about it if you search for it. I'm going to need a change by fall and will need to research it again as well.
76 Fiat 124 Spider
One owner since July 20, 1976
Amadio Motor, Jeannette, PA

DieselSpider
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Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2014 10:21 pm
Your car is a: 1978 124 Spider with Isuzu Turbo Diesel

Re: "Diesel" oil

Postby DieselSpider » Sat Jul 29, 2017 9:33 am

Yes I use it sometimes in my gasoline powered lawn equipment and many use it in their air cooled motorcycles and scooters that do not have a wet clutch. As long as it meets or exceeds the API certification required by the engines manufacturer you should be good. Some people also like to use oils rated for natural or lp gas powered engines in their gasoline engines that are not used often due to the way it handles condensation better.

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SP3
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Your car is a: 1966 Ducati 250 Monza
Location: Canton, Ohio, USA

Re: "Diesel" oil

Postby SP3 » Sat Jul 29, 2017 1:19 pm

NSFIAT wrote:I've been using Shell Rotella for 4 years now without issue - 15-40!


Hell, I use it in my Ducatis. Even if it's been 'reformulated', it still meets the requirements of its stated viscosity and will have more 'good stuff' in it than a like-weight 'gas' oil.

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Odoyle
Posts: 440
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2014 10:06 pm
Your car is a: 1983 Pinafarina Spider
Location: CA

Re: "Diesel" oil

Postby Odoyle » Sat Jul 29, 2017 1:37 pm

I have been running 30 wt Castrol with a CamShield zinc additive during the summer months in CA.
Last edited by Odoyle on Mon Jul 31, 2017 1:08 am, edited 1 time in total.

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aj81spider
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Location: Chelmsford, MA

Re: "Diesel" oil

Postby aj81spider » Sun Jul 30, 2017 10:15 am

I buy my oil at NAPA and sometimes the only 15W-40 they have is labeled diesel. I've used it with no problem on my '74.
A.J.

1974 Fiat 124 Spider
2006 Corvette
1981 Spider 2000 (sold 2013 - never should have sold that car)

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njoconnor
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Your car is a: 1972 124 Spider

Re: "Diesel" oil

Postby njoconnor » Sun Jul 30, 2017 8:06 pm

johndemar wrote:Shell has reformulated their oil and I don't believe it's as preferable as it once was. I know there is a post here about it if you search for it. I'm going to need a change by fall and will need to research it again as well.


Kilrwail (Peter B) commented on this during the FFO Parking Lot gathering a week ago. He mentioned the prior thread (viewtopic.php?f=9&t=35431&hilit=Rotella), and the change in Rotella from CJ to CK formulation, with a reduction in zinc. As it happens, I'd just purchased some Rotella prior to FFO, and when I got home, checked it.....CK. Arf.

So, I also have a pint of Lucas Oil ZDDP, and I noticed on Mark's site that Camshield is used in amounts of 1.5-2 oz per oil change in the Spider. Would adding the 2oz of the ZDDP I have to the CK mitigate the effects until I can locate (and buy up) any remaining stocks of CJ?

Thanks

Neil
Neil O'Connor
Madison, WI
72 FIAT 124 Spider
12 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Summit
14 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn Eco-Diesel
ex-71 FIAT 124 Coupe
and a host of Audi's, Saabs, VW's, MOPAR's, Fords, and a Bimmer....

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DUCeditor
Posts: 490
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Your car is a: 1977 FIAT 124 Sport Spider
Location: Monadnock Area, New Hampshire USA
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Re: "Diesel" oil

Postby DUCeditor » Mon Jul 31, 2017 7:13 am

If your engine is still tight I suppose the originally recommended 15-40 is still a good idea.

My `77 -- a seasonal runner -- has been run on the commonly available 20w50 Castrol GTX for the thirty years I've owned it.

-don
Italian motorcycles. An Italian car. An Italian wife. What more could a man desire?

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RRoller123
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Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: "Diesel" oil

Postby RRoller123 » Mon Jul 31, 2017 7:58 am

An interesting discussion on one of the hot rod forums that I occasionally read. The discussed premise is that the reduction in zinc was replaced by an increase or inclusion of other, more environmentally safe wear reduction additives, and that the whole issue is a red herring. It kind of makes sense, as the oils should be backwards compatible. It seems unlikely that they are going to issue a new formula that will cause any flat tappet damage, without a warning.

Also, the hot rod guys on this particular forum were told directly by Shell Customer Support in an email that there was no issue. Not sure I am willing to bet the house on it, so I just went out and bought a few of gallons of the old CJ stuff, enough for a couple of years of changes. I change twice a year regardless of mileage.

I put in a written request to the Shell Rotella business group to clarify the CJ to CK change, and its effect on flat tappet OHC/V engines. Will let you know what they say back as soon as they say it back.

Pete
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
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2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
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RRoller123
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Re: "Diesel" oil

Postby RRoller123 » Mon Jul 31, 2017 10:55 am

Here is what I wrote to Shell Rotella Business group:

"Hi. I run a 1980 Fiat Spider, and myself and hundreds of other enthusiasts on our forum (www.fiatspider.com) use Shell Rotella Diesel 15W-40 engine oil for the high zinc content, to protect our flat tappet cams and valve train. (We use this diesel oil in our twin cam OHC/V flat tappet gasoline engines). We are aware that there is a spec change from CJ to CK, either here already or coming, that reduces the zinc content, and are understandably concerned about what this may do to our flat tappet cams. Can you provide any info on this potential problem of using the new CK formulation in our older cars? Thank you for your assistance!"

Here is what they wrote back:

"Hi Peter, thanks for reaching out! The new CK-4 Rotella products, which were rolled out December 2016, are suitable for flat-tappet engines that benefit from higher Zinc and Phosphorus levels where catalytic converter compatibility is not a concern. Hope this helps!"
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle


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