shell rotella oil

Anonymous-0 · Feb 16, 2014

I have used shell rotella 15-40 oil for years in tractors combines trucks etc and never had anything but good results. A mechanic friend told me that shell changed the formula last year so they could sell it cheaper and compete with lower priced in Wal-Mart sams club.
Anyone heared this rumor or is it BS. thanks

Dachshund · Feb 16, 2014

Dunno, but I DO know that the price came down a couple months ago.....

I also know that I have been using Wally World oil in everything for about 15 years - and never had a problem with IT, either...

BANDITFARMER · Feb 16, 2014

The only thing I can tell you is that the Rotella being sold now is for all "NEW" diesel engines and is formulated for them and the new exhust systems for pollution controls. So its says it will work in older engines but I don't believe it myself. I have never had any luck with Rotella in my older diesels holding oil pressure when they warm up, Just to thin. Been called everything in the book because I don't like Rotella, It may be great stuff for NEW engines but the old stuff with hours on it just don't work to good. Bandit

Geo-TH,In · Feb 16, 2014

No idea about rumor. Menards is having a sale $1.99 at for regular shell oil. I picked up 2 cases of 10W40.

Old-n-Grumpy · Feb 16, 2014

What oil do you use in your diesels, Bandit?

notjustair · Feb 16, 2014

My biggest complaint is that the five gallon bucket isn't a savings here. I end up buying the jugs because they are easier to use and keep under the seat in things. I haven't noticed any difference I the oil. I think it is most important to keep them full and change them. Other than that I think you are OK. I haven't had any related issues.

Crazy Horse · Feb 16, 2014

I believe that 15W-40 Rotella Diesel formula used to have some additive in it that benefited older engines (like tractors .... gas or diesel) and the wear that occured between camshaft lobes and flat lifters (or something like that). I was told that for some reason, likely environmental, that the additive I'm referring to is no longer in the formula. Something else has taken its place is not necessarily as effective in combating that camshaft-lifter wear problem. This is just sort of a layman's interpretation of what I heard.

casecollectorsc · Feb 16, 2014

When I overhauled my semi with a N-14 Cummins it had 1.4 million miles on the original odometer. I used nothing but Rotella 15/40 and was the 2nd owner. Had less than 300,000 on the engine when I bought it. Oil pressure was the same when I bought it as it was the day I overhauled it.

Trkr · Feb 16, 2014

How often did you put engine bearings in your N14?Were they original at the overhaul?

Mike in Mn. · Feb 16, 2014

They have taken the zink out of it or most of it anyway for emission reasons, a bottle of zinc additive can be had from many places. I use some Rotella T in my gas tractors, but they smoke some off idle and the blow by really stinks, don't seem to do that with other oil, I think I'm going back to CaseIh 15-40, used a lot of that and had good luck. I use Amsoil in the diesels.

casecollectorsc · Feb 16, 2014

Original bearings. Just starting to see some copper on the top rod shell. Did a inframe with new heads and new oil pump plus sleeves, pistons and turbo, etc.

showcrop · Feb 16, 2014

I like the Shell Rotella T, but on the other hand there are many others that I would probably like if I could get them for $10.00 per five gallons.

Dale in Nw wa · Feb 16, 2014

I did 1 million 4 hundred thousand on a 3406 425 B model cat turned up to about 460 In 10000 miles would be 1 gal low that was on Rotella 15/40 I use it in everything I own. Dale

BANDITFARMER · Feb 16, 2014

In my Long 900(1975/6) I run Exxon XD-40 and a bottle of STP, My Case 930 and 2 Oliver 1550 diesels Wolfs Head 40w and a bottle of STP in each at oil changes. Been doing this for 10 years with no problems and hold good oil pressure on those long hot days. The Olivers and Case I was using 40w Pennsoil diesel but I cant get it any more so that's why we switched to Wolfs Head 40w and STP and it seams to be working good.

The Zeter dealer (the Long is a Zeter 8011) told me just run 15w40 Rotella when I first got it, I ran it 2 weeks before I changed the oil and held 45 lbs of oil pressure and ran good. I changed the oil to 15w40 Rotella like they said started it up it went to 35 lbs and in 5 min it dropped to 5 lbs and shut it off. Let it sit for 2 hours and tried it again and the same thing. Drained the oil refilled with the Exxon and it was good to go. Lesson learned the hard way. Oil aint like it use to be, That's for sure. Bandit

BANDITFARMER · Feb 16, 2014

What year is the truck? If you don't mind me asking. Bandit

Trkr · Feb 16, 2014

Thanks,the reason I ask is I have an N14 500,with 620k on it,and have had to do very little on it.Couple of injectors over the years,waterpump,etc.,nothing major.Just wondered if I should roll a set of bearings in it.Runs great,no oil consumption.

casecollectorsc · Feb 16, 2014

1998 Ford 9522 model. Condo sleeper, 240" w.b. Over the road tractor with 460 hp N-14 Cummins. Great ride, great truck. I also use 15/40 Rotella in some of my 40+ year old Case tractors.

casecollectorsc · Feb 16, 2014

A friend that always ran Cummins said, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. That being said, I would roll in bearings on a Cummins next time at 750,000. Being the top rod shell showed some copper I was maybe close to trouble. I change oil every 12-15000 miles.

spacecadet9 · Feb 17, 2014

(quoted from post at 13:50:39 02/16/14) I have used shell rotella 15-40 ......... and compete with lower priced in Wal-Mart sams club.
Anyone heared this rumor or is it BS. thanks

Samsclub has 55 gal drums of Rotella for $579. That figures out to $2.63/qt.

MarkB_MI · Feb 17, 2014

Two questions: What was your friend's source of information? What does he recommend instead of Rotella? Oh, and a third: what does he stand to gain by your choice?

greygoat · Feb 17, 2014

I looked at Shell, "Rotella" at a Farm store,and
the fine print on the label said: "Packed for
Shell, by Pennzoil". No thanks, said I, as I
passed it by!

BANDITFARMER · Feb 17, 2014

Big difference in the tolerances on a 98 model to a mid 60s model diesel engine so different oils specks are needed. Lets face it the new and newer diesels need the lighter thinner 15w40 like Rotella and it may work perfectly in theses engines with tighter tollerances, But in older (50s to 70s) diesels ware the tollerances were looser to start with and have over 3000 hours on the original engine (not rebuilt) they need the older heavy oils used then they were built. Its like the IH #1 30w and JDs 30w is now a lot thinner than it was 15 years ago, This is dew to the new engines needing thinner oils.

I know most of you out there have old jugs of new oil in the shop on the shelf unopened and if you check it and compare it to a new oil of the same weight you can see the difference in the pour and feel the difference when you rub between your fingers. The old is thicker and feels slicker. Sounds dumb but it is. New engine new oils, Old engines need the old style oils simple as that. Bandit

casecollectorsc · Feb 17, 2014

I use Rotella 15/40 in my 1030 and 930 Case diesels as well as the 930 Propane. Never a problem and they are not new engines. They do get used in the field working also....oil pressure is where it has always been.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 17, 2014

Shell purchased Pennzoil in 2002...good luck with finding some Rotella that's NOT packed by Pennzoil.

shell rotella oil

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