Synthetic oil change-over
My big question is when is a good time or mileage to switch over to synthetic? i have heard many different mileages/times. Any good thoughts? I currently have 13000 miles on my C-7 pulling a heavy ra...
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I had to do a little research on this because I run a Cummins ISB and wasn’t as familiar with Cat.
From page 15 Table 6 of the Caterpillar on-highway diesel engine fluids recommendations guide dated November 2009. This is the newest one I could find.
SAE 10W-30 is the preferred viscosity grade for the following diesel engines when the ambient temperature is above –18*C (0*F) and below 40*C (104 *F) C7, C-9, C9, 3116, 3126.
This chart also shows a 5W-40, 10W-40 and 15W-40 as being acceptable.
Also hear is what it has to say about Synthetic Base stock oils.
Synthetic Base stock oils are acceptable for use in Caterpillar engines and in Caterpillar machines if these oils meet the performance requirements that are specified by Caterpillar for a particular component. The highest level of protection is Cat ECF-3 or API CJ-4 oil category performance requirements.
On page 17 Cat does say if you do the proper oil analysis you can extend the oil change interval.
The diesel engine operates at much higher internal temps than a gas engine. It is only because they have much bigger cooling systems that they will run at the proper temperatures. You can do a search and find a large number of posts about coaches over heating. Most from dirty radiators. When I see EGT temps 1200 deg + when pulling a long hill I am glad I have oil that will stand up to it. I also like to get oil to the turbo as fast as possible and to give it maximum protection.
The oil today is not the oil of our youth. 50 years ago I would never run less than strait 30 weight oil and never one of those new multi grade oils. Today I run Mobil 1 5-40 Turbo diesel Truck. This oil meets or exceeds Caterpillar ECF-2, ECF-3 and also meets API CJ-4, CI-4 PLUS, CI-4, CH-4/ SM, SL, SJ.
Bill
From page 15 Table 6 of the Caterpillar on-highway diesel engine fluids recommendations guide dated November 2009. This is the newest one I could find.
SAE 10W-30 is the preferred viscosity grade for the following diesel engines when the ambient temperature is above –18*C (0*F) and below 40*C (104 *F) C7, C-9, C9, 3116, 3126.
This chart also shows a 5W-40, 10W-40 and 15W-40 as being acceptable.
Also hear is what it has to say about Synthetic Base stock oils.
Synthetic Base stock oils are acceptable for use in Caterpillar engines and in Caterpillar machines if these oils meet the performance requirements that are specified by Caterpillar for a particular component. The highest level of protection is Cat ECF-3 or API CJ-4 oil category performance requirements.
On page 17 Cat does say if you do the proper oil analysis you can extend the oil change interval.
The diesel engine operates at much higher internal temps than a gas engine. It is only because they have much bigger cooling systems that they will run at the proper temperatures. You can do a search and find a large number of posts about coaches over heating. Most from dirty radiators. When I see EGT temps 1200 deg + when pulling a long hill I am glad I have oil that will stand up to it. I also like to get oil to the turbo as fast as possible and to give it maximum protection.
The oil today is not the oil of our youth. 50 years ago I would never run less than strait 30 weight oil and never one of those new multi grade oils. Today I run Mobil 1 5-40 Turbo diesel Truck. This oil meets or exceeds Caterpillar ECF-2, ECF-3 and also meets API CJ-4, CI-4 PLUS, CI-4, CH-4/ SM, SL, SJ.
Bill
