There are some very smart and technically knowledgeable people on this board, so I hope it’s okay to ask a question that’s evolved from a personal sized 2-wheel RV I recently purchased. The machine requires 10W40 to 20W50 motor oil which is danged hard to find in affordable places like Wal-Mart, except for motor oil formulated for diesel engines. Would I be risking eventual problems with my 2-wheeled RV by using 20W50 diesel-formulated oil in its gasoline powered engine?It has a comparatively high-reving single cylinder 4-valve DOHC engine which is what has me worried. Steve

I have no idea what your 2 wheel RV is.But lots of motorcycle owners use Rotella T including me.I would suggest finding a forum specific to your 2 wheel RV and ask there.

*If* it has the correct API rating (or higher), which it probably does, it will be fine. I just looked at the bottle of Rotella I have and it is rated SM.If it doesn't have an "S" rating, I wouldn't.

Instead of being vague, why not give us the make/model, etc. of your 2 wheeled RV.Maybe someone has one and can give you more accurate information.I think Chris Bryant gave you good information.And I agree with dan-nickie, find a forum spceific to your 2 wheeled RV. They would know any quirks wirh your RV.

I use 15w-40 api sm oil in my gas generator. No problem. Many of the diesel motor oils have the sm designation now.

It would be interesting to know what engine that is. The requirements for the oil are pretty broad for a single cylinder. I have no problem finding 10w-40 on sale in my area.As Chris Bryant states, it is all about API rating. I ran Rotella T in one of my vehicles for a few thousand miles. It has a lot of detergent in the blend.

Using diesel-formulated motor oil in my 2-wheeled RV

33 Replies

EldIr
Explorer
Nov 11, 2013
Geocritter wrote:
The machine requires 10W40 to 20W50 motor oil which is danged hard to find in affordable places like Wal-Mart,

Steve

Walmart

How hard was that?
B_O__Plenty
Explorer II
Nov 11, 2013
Everybody and his brother is using Rotella in their Honda Gold Wings..Read the label it meets all the specs. I ran it in mine until I sold it at 43,000 miles. My friend has 291,000 on his 1996 Gold Wing 1500. That's all he has ever used. Never a problem, ever. Take that Amsoil guys...

B.O.
dddire
Explorer
Nov 11, 2013
EldIr wrote:
Amsoil motorcycle oil. End of story. You need motorcycle oil, not automotive oil.

Amsoil cycle oil in all my bikes.. cars, trucks ..anything with an engine.
EldIr
Explorer
Nov 11, 2013
Amsoil motorcycle oil. End of story. You need motorcycle oil, not automotive oil.
bucky
Explorer II
Nov 08, 2013
I don't blame you for trying to save money, that's just smart. But how often do you change the oil? If you are unsure what to use the Kawasaki oil is just pennies a day man, pennies a day. The age of the unit would make me more likely to use the right stuff. As others said, the spec is the key. Read a bottle of the ripoff stuff, although the bastards are getting better at making it difficult to substitute. Hope you weren't in the dry wash the other morning, that was crazy.
mapguy
Explorer
Nov 07, 2013
Wet clutch on this m/c - do not use any oil that has a label "energy conservation" or the like or you will be replacing the clutch soon.
Regular Rotella 15w40 for sure has the proper JASO ma rating on the packaging.
Geocritter
Explorer
Nov 07, 2013
Thanks all y'all! I think I've got a pretty good handle on what'll make the little beast happy.

Steve

PS BTW a few people simply referred me to my owners manual. The thing is, the bike's 23 years old and I'm certain there are better lubricants being offered today then what's recommended in my owners manual. As far as Kawasaki brand oil at the dealer, at $13 a quart, I don't care if I only need 2.1 quarts, at that price I think I'll pass...
NinerBikes
Explorer
Nov 07, 2013
I've run Rotella T-6 synthetic 5w-40 for ever in my Yamaha TW-200. Never any issues with the clutch or the motor. I warm my motor up before riding off, every single time.

For my early model VW TDI diesels up until Vw went to common Rail in 2009, I found that Mobil 1 5w-40 Turbo Diesel Truck made it possible to go 10k between oil changes without having to add any make up oil. That was not the case with the Shell Rotella T-6 5w-40, it needed a quart added every 4000-5000 miles.

YMMV, these were my experiences with the two oils.
chiefneon
Explorer
Nov 07, 2013
Howdy!

I use Rotella T6 in everything I own 4400 International Custom Hauler, Smart Car, Yamaha Rhino, Yamaha Majesty, generator, lawn tractor and weed eater. Never had a problem.

"Happy Trails"
Chiefneon
RLS7201
Explorer II
Nov 07, 2013
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/ has all sorts of good information about lubrication.

If you need to use that wide of a viscosity spread, I suggest synthetic. 10W40 standard oil has at least 17% viscosity improvers (VI) and 10W50 has even more. 10W30 uses only 11% VI. Those VIs are taking the place of oil. Synthetic oil needs a lot less VI. Many years ago, General Motors would void their warranty if you use 10W40.
I base this information on what I gleaned from a petroleum engineer that I had the privilege of working with.

Richard

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Using diesel-formulated motor oil in my 2-wheeled RV

33 Replies

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