Official "What oil / additives should I use" topic

[Frodge]

Thanks! I think I'll use this oil going forward. Anyone else using it?

[robin.richard]

Okay, a question for the oil gurus out there -

Until recently I was running Rotella T 10W30 Dino oil in my new 1600 SP engine w/ 30PICT1 and 009 in my 67 Westy, and the engine was running very HOT @ 220 - 240 when driving 50 - 55 MPH on 90+ degree days with high humidity here in VA. The 240 degree temp happened twice. Both times I slowed down until the oil temp came down so I could get home. Checked engine. Couldn't 't find an air leak. The timing was good, and valves were good at .006. The plugs also looked good. I recently changed the oil to VR1 10W30 and have again been driving on hot 90+ degree days but now with engine temps at 210 -215 @ 50 -55 MPH. Can the engine temp reduction be the result of the new/different type oil? The engine is a newly build 1600 SP with 2800 miles now. The oil had been changed 6 times now as part of the break in. Zinc additive was added during the initial cam break in. Rotella T 10W30 until the last oil change when I used VR1 10W30. I am a little hesitant to say it was the VR1 until I get some more miles in hot temps, but...

-Rich
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[robin.richard]

Forgot to add - all tin in place, doghouse cooler and functioning thermostat. Fan belt tight. I can see a slight difference in cooling when the engine is running at higher rpm, I.e faster fan speed. Runs hotter in stop and go traffic.

-Rich
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[Wildthings]

[robin.richard]

Wild things,

Good question, but no I don't. However, after arriving home from drives when using the Rotella T I would notice a several drops of oil that would form on the ground under the oil breather tube. It would also happen when letting the engine sit running for longer than a few minutes. Neither happiness now with the VR 1.

-Rich
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Drive your bus!

[Wildthings]

[robin.richard]

I assume no oil dripping out of the breather tube is a good thing.

I noticed the Rotella T 10W30 oil seemed much thicker than the VR1 10W30 oil. Could this cause higher pressure and higher temps?

-Rich
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[vugbug68]

[vwracerdave]

Another member posted the same results after he and his room mate both changed oil in their Buses and noticed 15-20* higher oil temps with Rotella T. They both switched to VR-1 and the oil temps dropped back to their normal levels.

It is not the ZDDP that is different. It is all the other anti-foaming agents, detergent levels, and many other elements that causes the problem. Diesel engines run at much lower RPM than a gas engine. Many Diesel engines only run 1500-1800 RPM at highway speeds. This is where the difference lies and why the additive are different. VR-1 is engineered for high RPM engines with much different amounts of detergents other additives.
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2017 Street Comp Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble, OK
2010 Sportsman ET Champion - Mid-America Dragway - Arkansas City, KS
1997 Sportsman ET Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble ,OK

[Hummer]

Well, sure as hell don't use Castrol 20W-50.

Was running it on a 5 hour drive home to Dayton, OH from Kentucky. Got to the top of the Ohio River Valley which is a pretty big hill and got an oil light. Pulled over instantly. There was still plenty of oil in it, but my fresh oil change had turned into a pitch black liquid that had the consistency of water. In fact, it was kind of hard to read the dipstick because the oil wasn't thick enough to stick to it. Let it sit and cool down for a bit and limped her home, but won't do that again.

After that experience, I'm a little leery of the thinner oils even though they seem to be recommended. That was my first experience with the Castrol Oil. Had run VR1 20W-50 before that, but read something about the Aussies running Castrol. Guess that was old info.

If I go the VR1 route, the 10W-30 is fine? Just worried about the oil breaking down again.

Full disclosure: My wife had loaded the sh*t out of the bus with camping gear. Way more than we needed. I call her a hermit crab every time we travel because she attempts to carry everything she owns with her. Point is, the bus was working hard.

[vugbug68]

Yeah a loaded bus going up hill in summer is gonna put any oil to the test, but I've heard bad things about Castrol in general so I've stayed away from it, sounds like it got too hot and thinned out.
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66 Corvair - Weekend Cruiser
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[PedalWerks]

I have been using VR1 10/30 in my single cab (and Oval bug) for over 2 years since I built it, (2027cc) and I load it heavy with camping and swap meet gear still running the reduction gears and have driven 8 hours each way from so cal to Santa Cruz twice, and to Las Vegas once 4 1/2 each way, and to work and back 1 hour each way with no issues, Oil pressure fine, you can use the VR1 10/40 also in warm weather, it is a great oil.

I just found out it is no longer Ca legal and I can not get it anymore I am really bummed about that, not sure yet what I am going to switch to yet....

[rockerarm]

Hi. PedalWorks, recheck your source as VR1 should be back on Napa's shelves after the bottling language had to change.

[PedalWerks]

[rockerarm]

[vugbug68]

[vwracerdave]

O'Reilley's only stocks 20W-50 on the shelf because that is what most V8 hot rodders use. They warehouse other weights and you can get a full case the next day. Same thing with NAPA. It may not be on the shelf but can be ordered.

Valvoline VR-1 racing oil comes in a case of 6. Available in both dino and synthetic.
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2017 Street Comp Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble, OK
2010 Sportsman ET Champion - Mid-America Dragway - Arkansas City, KS
1997 Sportsman ET Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble ,OK

[PedalWerks]

Thanks everyone, Napa is still stocking bought all 26 quarts of 10/30 they had, and they had all the other weights also.

just got freaked out as all my online sources would not ship to California all of a sudden.

$6.99 each at Napa only $5.69 each Amazon.
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12' Golf 2.5
07' Rabbit 2.5
59' Single Cab
57' Oval hard top
55' Oval hardtop

[wheel607]

So has current wisdom changed.....built street car...Brad Penn or Valvoline?

[Zundfolge1432]

The only thing that prevails here is rumor,ignorance and superstition. Knowledge would be a good start, here's a good primer

www.lubesngreases.com