Should I use Shell Rotella in my Inline6?

MSBXCJ · 12-14-2009, 07:34 PM

A friend of mine suggested I use Shell Rotella in my next oil change. My odo says my jeep has about 105K miles on it (give/take cause it isn't set for my big 35" tires) and I currently use high milage oil in it. When I went to the auto parts store to buy everything I needed for my first attempt at an oil change, the guys there laughed at me when I told them I would be using diesel oil in my gasoline engine. They said my oil pump is not made to pump that heavy of an oil to the engine and it could cause major problems. Would you suggest that I use Shell Rotella and why?

-AC- · 12-14-2009, 07:41 PM

Rotella is tractor oil, not necassarily diesel, and I've run it in everything from my Jeep to my 53 Allis Chalmers to my hi-Falutin 1000cc V-Twin SportBike, with no problems. It comes in various viscosities, so you don't have to run 50 wt. The thing about Rotella, so I'm told, is it doesn't have the detergents or additives. Just old dinosaurs... And if you buy it at TSC or your local farm store, it's cheaper than Max Life.

**cincyjeeprs** · 12-14-2009, 07:45 PM

Parts monkeys. Ignore those guys. Never ask them for advice. Do your research here and go in there informed and self assured. Tell them what you want and if they give you any lip, tell them to STFU and find another store that's not so condescending.

Plenty of guys (gals) use Rotella. I am not one of them, but parts monkeys really piss me off.

-AC- · 12-14-2009, 07:48 PM

Funny how the software makes "h e l l" into H***, but let's "Piss" through. A salute to our Canadian Brothers (and sisters) to whom "getting pissed" means something far different, and way more fun, than it does to we Yanks?

Sorry, I digress (again)...

curbcrawler · 12-14-2009, 07:52 PM

Not sure if you have the 258 or if it matters in this case or not but the 258 has a flat tappet cam and lifters. cam manufacterers suggest using an oil with high zink content along with other minerals. Others on this forum can clarify it further. The government forced oil companies to fortify their oils with less of these minerals to be, you guessed it "Environmentaly Friendly". Unfortunately these minerals reduce wear on the flat tappet cams and lifters. The theory is that rottella and other diesel oils still have these minerals so much advice has been given by people, who dont even know why, to run them. I use Amsoil synthetic. it says specificly that it contains these minerals for the flat tappet cam and lifters. Ive seen that valvaline has a "racing" oil with these minerals as well. Some mix rottella with regular organic motor oil. do yourself a favor and dont do this. Just do some research, get some amsoil or go with the valvaline racing stuff. Check out compcams website they discuss this a bit.

IDK · 12-14-2009, 07:53 PM

Valvoline is the best period.

-AC- · 12-14-2009, 07:56 PM

Ok, so I was wrong about the additives. I said "so I'm told"! Sheesh...

Anyway, at the end of the day, if you actually change it every 3000 miles, dang near anything you can buy today will do a good job.

buzzbrick · 12-14-2009, 08:21 PM

I've been using rotella in my 258 since I installed it last year (granted it had 80K at that time), and so far no complaints. I started using it because of the additives Curbcrawler is talking about and because I'm told it has better resistance to fuel contamination, which is a plus for me because of my big holley carburetor.

kw89425 · 12-14-2009, 08:23 PM

i use rotella and lucas in everything i own and have for years and have never had any problems

**SlikRic** · 12-14-2009, 08:39 PM

If you switch, change your filter after about 1k miles 3 or 4 times. Rotella will clean alot of crap out of the engine, if you have build up. Been using it for 2 yrs.

**Ridin' Around** · 12-14-2009, 09:29 PM

Since the Shell now meets the API SM spec, it meens they have lowered their ZDDP levels, do your research and then it may be time for a few of you to shop for a new oil!
http://www.shellusserver.com/products/pdf/RotellaT(CJ-4).pdf

**JeepHammer** · 12-14-2009, 09:35 PM

The answer is YES!
If you aren't below zero, Shell Rotella 'T' in 15w40 is a very good, high grade, high detergent oil to use in these old jeeps.

If you get WAY down below freezing in the winter and you drive the Jeep,
Consider using a 10w40 in the winter, not as hard on the oil pump, distributor/camshaft gear, ect. when you start up with super thick oil when it's below zero.

scooter · 12-14-2009, 11:54 PM

15/40 Rotella,Mobil Delvac,Chevron Delo,Castrol Tection and Valvoline blue are all "commercially" rated lubricants. Even Harley suggests the use of a CF/CH/CD rated oil if the HD oil isnt around. All of the above are great lubes and will work great in your engine. Ive used delo in my Blazer,suburban,jeep and hay truck and some bikes for years with good results. They also make a Rotella 5/40 synthetic.

**xeroOTG** · 12-15-2009, 12:42 AM

Rotella is a very fine example of oil from what various people have told me. Give it a try!

RLWaderacin · 12-15-2009, 12:46 AM

Just go buy used oil from the quicky lube cause it all ends up mixed with coolant anyways..........

12-14-2009, 07:45 PM	#3
cincyjeeprs Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 358 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Parts monkeys. Ignore those guys. Never ask them for advice. Do your research here and go in there informed and self assured. Tell them what you want and if they give you any lip, tell them to STFU and find another store that's not so condescending. Plenty of guys (gals) use Rotella. I am not one of them, but parts monkeys really piss me off.