I just got back from our local warehouse store and while they have always sold Castrol and Mobil oil, they just recently started to stock 4 gallon cases of Mobil Delvac 1300 15W40 oil. I read the bottle and it sounded pretty good, stating that it was industrial grade, and listing all sorts of farm machinery and diesel engines it was recommended for. So, my questions is, for my next oil change (coming up soon), should I go with Castrol 20W50 (or 10W40, they have all grades) or try this Delvac stuff? The Delvac 1300 isn't that much more expensive. The Castrol is $18 for 12 quart bottles, and the Delvac was $22 for 4 gallon containers. Thanks for the advice

Also, Anyone know anything about "Power Service" diesel fuel supplement? Someone bought a huge container of it for me (actually, it was my girlfriend, she knows how much I love this car) and I don'tknow whether or not it's worth using. The STP stuff I've been using (only about once a month or so) hasn't proven to be the greatest thing ever, and no one sells the Redline stuff around here (I'll have to order it from the PartsShop when I get a chance).

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

There those here that like Castrol 20W-50, even though it does not have a "C" (compression) rating. Castrol does have a 15W-40 that is diesel rated. Delvac is a "diesel oil" by what I have read here. The only 3 "diesel oils" I can easily find in my area are, Chevron Delo 400 15W-40, Shell Rotella 15W-40, and Castrol RX 15W-40. For the last 2 oil changes, I have used Delo 400. Diesel rated oils have additives to control the "soot" that comes from these engines. I believe for the trucking industry, the 3 oils used are Delvac, Delo 400, and Shell Rotella. I figure if an oil is good enough for these big diesels, then it would be good for my "little" diesel. Oh, and as Larry always says, ..."change it hot and change it often".

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1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

I have only used diesel-rated oils in my diesels.

Shell Rotella
Chevron Delo
Mobil Delvac 1300

I recently put Mobil-1 full synthetic and my 300D REALLY likes it. I think I may use it for a while.

John

What retailer carries Delvac 1300? I've been looking for it myself and have yet to be able to find it.

Suggestions please?
jeric

Jeric,

Have you tried Wal-Mart? They carry Mobil Delvac 1300 and Chevron Delo.

Also, I would avoid using Shell Rotella even though it is a "diesel oil." Take look at the following
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Where to buy Rotella?


Herb
'82 240D

Dammit Herb, you just gave me another thing to worry about . But thanks for posting that link. I don't recall reading it. I use Rotella because its the only 1 gallon bottle that has a "window" that lets you see the oil level in the bottle. The Mobil bottle is all black and its difficult to determine if you've poured in the required 6.5 quarts. I have yet to even pick up a Delo bottle. I'll be stopping at Autozone on the way home.

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2001 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Turbo Diesel - 4x4, auto, 3.54 gears, long bed
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'92 300D 2.5 Turbodiesel - sold
'83 300D Turbodiesel - 4 speed manual/2.88 diff - sold
'87 300D Turbodiesel - sold
'82 300D Turbodiesel - sold

SW

I'm like you on those black Mobil gallon bottles. I hate them because there is no clear side window on the bottles and it takes me longer to fill the crankcase up making sure I don't overfill.

This is the scenario: I pour in the last couple of quarts a little at at time, check the dip stick, pour in a little more, check the dipstick, pour in a little more, check the dipstick.....

I wish mobil would use bottles with clear side windows on their bottles so that we can more accurately measure the amount of oil we need.

Herb
'82 240D

The Chevron Delo has the window and is top quality oil for a diesel OR a gas engine. It is one of the best DINO oils you can get.

Have a great day,

For those of us that have the 5 cyl. 617 engine, oil quantity is easy, 2 gallons. So all we have to do any measuring, just dump 2 1 gal. jugs of oil and we're done. Personally, I find it easier to pour oil from the Delo jugs versus the Rotella jugs. Those who have seen or used Delo, know what I mean.

__________________
1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member