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

[Geocritter]

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

[bucky]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[randallb]

I purchased my first diesel in 1981 and started using Kendall D-3, 15-40 in it. We bought our second diesel in 1982 and ran the same oil in it. Both of these vehicles lasted 300,000 miles and the camshafts looked like brand new. I have now been running one form of 15-40 diesel oil in everything I own for 32 years. I run it in all my air cooled engines; chipper, yard vac, riding mower, etc., and have had no issues with any of them. I even run it in my 9.8 Tohatsu 4 stroke outboard. Are there engines I would not run it in? Yes, but I do not own any airplanes.
Part of my decision to run this oil in everything came after a long drunken discussion with 2 friends in 1984. They were oil engineers with Chevron.
Randy

[gandude]

a wet clutch requires a different blend of oil than regular automotive oil. The proper answer to your question is - what does the owners manual say.

You can get motorcycle oil at Autozone or Oreilly with brands by Penzoil, Castrol ect. You don't need much as the frequency of change and quantity are low for a motorcycle like that.

Japanese bikes have a "JASO" oil recommendation, the Japanese "API" to our API, try to follow that.

(From the web)For 4-stroke gasoline engines, the JASO T904 standard is used, and is particularly relevant to motorcycle engines.

[C-Leigh_Racing]

Thats strange, cause the Rotella oil, was causing the cranks to go out on the 450R race quad engines. Something about the oil bubbling after the pump & the crank getting half the oil it needs to maintain a cushion.
This was on Hondas though.

Just seen your reply & seen you have a 250.
What ever you do, dont mix different coolants, find out what is in the cooling system before you add any extra, because if you add the wrong type it could cause the coolant to turn to slime & then once the engines hot it will turn solid & she wont live long after that.

Dont know the type of coolant used that will cause this problem, but I've seen the results from it & it can be costly & quite a bit of down time.
Neil

[Geocritter]

Yep my 2-wheeled RV is a Kawasaki KLR 250 motorcycle, however in keeping with the spirit of the forum it is a recreational vehicle. I asked the question here because I've been so impressed with the depth of knowledge I've seen exhibited on answers to other questions. That said, my question is not so much vehicle-specific as it is lubricant-specific. Basically, are there any additives, or additives left out, that would make diesel-formulated oil a poor choice for my 2-wheeled RV engine.

Steve

[danpreszler]

I used Rotella T in my Goldwing for years. Never a problem.....

[Dannyabear1]

Been using Rotella or Delo diesel oil for years in my motorcycles, lawn mowers and generators for years; I for got what its called (ash?) but it has something that is better for wet clutches than the other oils.

[snowdance]

I have had a number of motorcycles and ran 10-40 Diesel oil in them. Put 50,000 to 150,000 miles on most of them with no major engine work. Some were water cooled and some were air cooled. If thats what you are calling a 2 wheel RV.

[RJsfishin]

Rotella T 20-50 running hard in hot weather, ok for mild cold weather too

It is highly rated for wet clutches, and flat tappet engines.
I run it in a 650 single cylinder Suzuki flat tappet SOC

[westend]

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.