Shell Rotella revisited (and the news isn't good)

[Charger-Bodie]

i guess next time i change my erl ,ill be ordering some comp cams additive......and my gine will approve of it cause it has a comp cam in it!

[histoy]

Just curious, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the value of using the original Shell Rotella oil is the extra wear protection that the zinc offered, while the camshaft was going thru the breakin period.  This typically lasts around the first 20 to 30 minutes, while you run the engine at 2000 - 2200 rpm.  Some people advocate changing the oil & possibly the filter after this short breakin period.  If this is the advantage in using the old Rotella oil, then why is it necessary to use it for future oil changes, or why is it necessary to add EOS with every oil change?    (It appears that this is a mute point going forward if the new Rotella has lower zinc and the EOS is now obsolete, as neither of the original products will be available anyway).

Here is another "old school" option you may want to consider.  Back in the sixties when I was taught to rebuild engines, we coated the cam bearings, the cam lobes, and the bottom of the lifters with Raybestos PG brake lubricant.  It's a white lithium grease.  Our instructor told us that it helped prevent camshaft wear during the engine breakin period.   Has anyone else heard of using this grease to lube engine parts?

[The70RT]

Just curious, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the value of using the original Shell Rotella oil is the extra wear protection that the zinc offered, while the camshaft was going thru the breakin period.  This typically lasts around the first 20 to 30 minutes, while you run the engine at 2000 - 2200 rpm.  Some people advocate changing the oil & possibly the filter after this short breakin period.  If this is the advantage in using the old Rotella oil, then why is it necessary to use it for future oil changes, or why is it necessary to add EOS with every oil change?    (It appears that this is a mute point going forward if the new Rotella has lower zinc and the EOS is now obsolete, as neither of the original products will be available anyway).

Here is another "old school" option you may want to consider.  Back in the sixties when I was taught to rebuild engines, we coated the cam bearings, the cam lobes, and the bottom of the lifters with Raybestos PG brake lubricant.  It's a white lithium grease.  Our instructor told us that it helped prevent camshaft wear during the engine breakin period.   Has anyone else heard of using this grease to lube engine parts?

I have always just used the white lithium grease for the cam and stp for the bearings. I use the synthetic for the brakes.

[firefighter3931]

what about COMP CAMS  # 159 , brake in additive , it says use it with every oil change , is it any good?

Yep, use it on every oil change if you can't find the EOS. 



Ron

[The70RT]

The research I did turned up both the GM and AC-Delco equivalents being discontinued. 

AC Delco site (click on the drop down menu, click on EOS):

http://www.acdelco.com/html/pi_vehcare_lub.htm

Called around to several GM dealers, and the warehouses don't have it, only available EOS is what is left in dealer stock.  One dealer had 10, I said I'll take them.........went to pick them up, and the bozo shop foreman had told the counter-man to only let me have 2.   

How much was it at the dealership? Frigging eslayers are buying it up and selling them from 10-25 a bottle. How much of it do you add to your oil? Thanks.

[0X01B8]

Mobil 1 15w50 EP has still has at least modest levels of zinc.  Most of the web sites for the oil companies have Material Safety Data Sheets  (MSDS) you can download and check your favorite oil for yourself, but it's looking pretty grim out there.

[Ghoste]

I guess we're dinosaurs and so is our oil. 

[Purple440]

Mobil 1 15w50 EP has still has at least modest levels of zinc.

That's what I'm running now - called Mobile One and they said it's the best oil they had for the older valvetrains.

[68chrgrwife]

I know a few months back we traveled around to find EOS.  We did go to a GM dealership to find it ( ) and it was about $12 a bottle (if my memory serves me correctly). 

[tan top]

what about COMP CAMS  # 159 , brake in additive , it says use it with every oil change , is it any good?

Yep, use it on every oil change if you can't find the EOS. 



Ron

thanks  RON              

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

I wonder if there is a way to tell the old Rotella from the new?  I still have about a case & a half of the old stuff.  There has to be old 15w-40 sitting on the shelves somewhere.  My Costco sells cases of 6 gallon bottles for like $55 IIRC

[firefighter3931]

I wonder if there is a way to tell the old Rotella from the new?  I still have about a case & a half of the old stuff.  There has to be old 15w-40 sitting on the shelves somewhere.  My Costco sells cases of 6 gallon bottles for like $55 IIRC

Chris, the "new" Rotella has a sunburst logo on the jug. If it has a CJ rating it is the new stuff.

The older CL rated Rotella has all the anti scuff additives in it. 


Ron

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

My stuff out in the shed has the CL rating.....next trip to Costco & I'll see theirs...

Thanks Ron

[Chryco Psycho]

Casdtrol diesel is still rated SL & has the additives , Mopar sells EOS part # Vu01197

[Mean 318]

These motors ran for years being drove hard and put away wet! Just change the oil every 2-3K and have fun!

[Ghoste]

Partly because for years, there was zinc in the oil.  As an update, there was a pretty good article in the latest edition of Mopar Enthusiast that explains a lot of what is going on and what to expect.  In short, it is as Runner alluded to, the zinc has been eliminated because it affects the catalytic converter and with diesels now getting cats, the diesel oils had to change too.  They also state that Mopar and GM have both discontinued their "eos" supplements.  They mention Royal Purple high performance oil as a good choice and Harley Davidson Syn3.  Currently Chevron Delo 400 and Mobil Delvac can be used but they will be getting the zinc out soon too.  As Firefighter said, using Comp Cams break in additive at every oil change will help.
The good news may be however, that it seems Mopar may be the saviour here.  It seems that Mopar Performance has been working with one of oil additive people about a supplement for older engines.  It isn't a go yet but they are looking into it so keep your fingers crossed.

[NorwayCharger]

http://www.hughesengines.com/general/techArticleDetail.asp?articleID=1000051

http://www.hughesengines.com/partDetail.asp?partID=12859&eTypeID=20

[440fan]

Hughes is great stuff. I know guys that race and they swear by it. I either use Hughes or EOS if I can find it.

[dukeboy_318]

anyone tried lucas oils engine oil supplement, ive heard alot a people starting to run it now, especially in diesels and and hp models??

[Ghoste]

I don't know about their supplement but I believe Lucas also offers a racing oil.  I would think that would be safe in our older engines?

[OttawaCharger]

Heres a new oil that was (apparently) formulated just for old cars.  Only available in 15W40 but I don't see a problem with that
http://www.wheels.daytondailynews.com/daytondailynews/content/autonews/2007/12/13/MPSWLS1215WOW.html