So I've got an oil change due and I'm thinking of running Shell Rotella T4 because I can get it for a bit cheaper but it specifies for Diesel engines so I'm hesitant. Does anyone know anything about those oils or if it's safe to run in a gas 318? I normally run Valvoline full synthetic 10w30, any consequences for switching over?

 

It's perfectly safe to run diesel oil in an old gas engine, it has higher zinc levels so it offers better protection for older gas engines. I run 15w40 diesel in my Magnum engines.

 

From what I've read it's rumored that shell lost their gas engine rating only because it has higher zinc levels and it's not goot for catalytic converters, however I thought I'd ask but to make sure.
Do you know how T4 will do versus the Valv 10w30 in terms of thickening up in the cold? I've seen T4 vs T6 oils and the difference is quite a lot

 

What 00t444e said.

I used to run that until I decided to get my 1988's 3.9 rebuilt; I now run the gas variant.

EDIT: As to thickening up, 10W30 should be 10W30 close enough; what weight is the T4?

RwP

 

Double post

 

Diesel oil doesn't get along with cats. I'm running it in my 91 D150 with a 98 360 mag. Build. Run it in my motorcycles also. No friction modifiers, so it doesn't hurt the wet clutch, and the extra zinc, and the cleaning agents help keep everything clean. If you don't have allot of blow by, and your valve seats are good, and a good pcv, or an oil catch can I wouldn't be afraid to run it in a catted gas engine.

The T4 is 15W40 but it's synthetic. The T3 is conventional 15w40.

 

T5 10w30 sorry lol, it's been a heck of a day
i saw project farms test T5 and T6 15w40 against eachother and the T6 resisted thickening up quite well compared to the T5 (iirc he tests at -40*f)

 

I've run diesel oil in gas engines before,no issues.
i got a deal on mobil delvac 15w40 over the summer, bought all they had, as often as I have to change oil. Been running it in my 96 Dakota 318.
Otherwise I run 10w40 year round in everything I own. I have all pushrod engines, a couple of 318s, a 3.9 and a 360 mag. As I have been doing for over 30 years.

 

Could you run a 10w or 15w in Minnesota winters?

I run 10w typically up to November....

 

I would doubt 15W would be good up there.

For my 1988, it says that 15W40 is only good down to 20F; 10W to 0F; and 5W-30 use anywhere colder.

RwP