Hi Guys and Gals. First off this is a great forum and whoever put it together did a top notch job. I just got my GMC 2500HD D/A two weeks ago and need to change the oil for the first time. I have always been a Pennzoil man in my previous Gas engines. I see that Pennzoil has a 15/40W Heavy Duty oil with the required CI-4 rating. Any comments, good or bad, about this brand of oil? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif

Good oil for conventional dino ... Use with confidence ... Little on the stinky side for the positive open crankcase venting the Duramax has ,,,,You find out I'm sure,the smell of HOT oil ...


I ran it in my Max thru the break in up to 5k when I switched to Mobil Delvac synthetic ...





Mac http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gifEdited by: Mackin

I will second what Mackin said about the smell. My dealer used this oil for my first change (it was free), and you can definately detect an odor coming into the cab. No complaints about the performance, but I will be switching with my next oil change.





Tim

Mac and Tim, Thanks for the speedy responces. Sounds like I might not like the Pennzoil. What's a good choice of non syntethic oil? Something that I can get here on the East Coast. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif

I changed mine to Delvac 1300, and I have not noticed a smell. Another good oil is Chevron Delo 400. Pennz is darn good oil, no doubt. You can get a good deal on those 3 at Wally World. Amsoil has a blended sythetic 15W40 that is API approved, as does Shaeffers. Edited by: Pick

Shell Rotella T 15W-40. It is available at Sam's Club for a reasonable price. I think I paid $36 for a case of 6 1 gallon jugs. Many say that Shell Rotella T is the best dino heavy duty oil around. We have used it in our big Cummins, etc. on the farm in Minnesota ever since I remember.


Curtis

I used delvac 1300 for the first 2 changes before switching to delvac synthetic. No smell with either one.

I have Penzoil in my GMC and don't notice any smell. Have a enough CITGO 15-40 on hane to use in the next change and after that I may go to VALVOLINE Blue if I can find it.I wouldn't go to synthtic until the engine is well broken in, about 15k to 20 k. Would rather change every 5K and use clonventional 15-40 oil than throw that syntheyic out at 10k.

Yesterday, I purchased a 5 gal pail of 15W-40 Shell Rotella T at Advanced Auto Parts for $30.00. After changing the oil/filter I then drove 75 miles noticing only a slight oil smell for the first 20 miles.


For the same cost, I will check out Sam's next time, as handling 1 gal jugs I'm sure is easier than a 5 gal pail and a coffee can.


I appreciated the tip I read on this forum to jack up the front of the truck while draining the oil. Not only does this allow for more oil to drain out of the pan, it also keeps the last drizzles from leaking too far forward on the skid plate. The Fumoto drain plug I installed before filling the case should elliminate most of the mess next time I cahnge the oil.


10 qts to fill.Edited by: the ponz

Yesterday, I purchased a 5 gal pail of 15W-40 Shell Rotella T at Advanced Auto Parts for $30.00. After changing the oil/filter I then drove 75 miles noticing only a slight oil smell for the first 20 miles.


For the same cost, I will check out Sam's next time, as handling 1 gal jugs I'm sure is easier than a 5 gal pail and a coffee can.





I usually buy the 6 gallon case of Rotella from Sam's Club. It's about 34 bucks which makes it even cheaper than your 5 gallon pail. I don't like having open oil around so I buy 2 quarts at Autozone for doing oil changes.

Larry, does the Rotella give you the smell that everyone is talking about. I have used Rotella on my last two strokers had had no problems. But the last thing I want is to smell oil in the cab of our new GMC truckhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

I've never noticed any smell with the Rotella T. I think some of the smell comes from "spillage". No spillage no smell???





I've been happy with the oil and am just sending in a sample for testing. I have 24k on the truck and except for the original oil it has never had anything but Rotella. No smell, no oil useage.

Are you guys sure that nasty smell isn't just a Dodge or Ford driving by? I run Delvac1 with a bypass and no problems so farhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif .Edited by: Blue Max

Blue Max, what do you mean driving by. If anyone should be driving by it should be your DuraMax driving by them....Hammer Down! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

You should only smell the oil from your own truck if you are stopped, and no you should never let anyone pass you on the road....Just hammer down.

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Pick,


I have a question. What is the CAT filter...it looks like a Airbrake dryer/filter. Or is it a after market fuel filter?

It is an aftermarket fuel filter that is installed pre-OEM to your existing filter. You can go here and look at a kit that I am using. http://www.nicktane.com/


They filter down quite a bit better than the factory filter. If you do a search you will find a ton of information on this and there is also a dedicated forum in here which relates to the Nicktane install.


Curtis

I have never noticed any smell, am running Rotella T 15-40

Do I understand that you only have to replace this (CAT)filter only and not the OEM. Because it traps all the contaminants...if true that would be great because the stock filter looks like a S.O.B. to replace.

HI GUYS, NEW ON THE BLOCK. ORDERD GMC2500DMAXCC SB AROUND NOV 1. CHECKED WITH DEALER TODAY 11/25, PRODUCTION DATE 12/8. HE GOT FLASH THAT THERE HAS BEEN ( CHANGE TO ORDER AT PLANT ) SEEMS SURE THAT THIS IS UPGRADE TO LLY.NO SPECS ON ENGINE OUTPUT. ALSO SEEMS TO THINK ALLISON WILL HAVE UPGRADE. DIDNT KNOW NEW LLY WAS COMING WHEN I ORDERD TRUCK, SEEMS TO BE A GOOD MOVE. GUESS I WAS LUCKY?

SOME DMAXES COME WITH CAT ON THEM, HOW DOES A CAT WORK IN DIESEL? MUST BE A DIFFERENT UNIT THAN COMES ON CARS. I CANT SEE A CAT LIVING IN DIESEL ENVIORMENT, JUST WONDERING.

NoWake, no it is not true that you only have to replace the CAT fuel filter. You will also have to replace the OEM filter. The CAT filter is just put in place to provide extra filtration. If I remember right the CAT filter filters to 2 micron particle size, I could be wrong here though. The general consensus on the forum is that with the high pressure injection systems in use today, even the smallest particles could possibly harm your injectors. Kind of a cheap insurance policy.


Bruce, as to your statement. Yes, some do come with a catalytic converter on them but it seems to be very rare and mostly only on California emissions equipped trucks. Mine does not have one and I am located in IL.


Curtis

CURTIS THANKS, I WAS JUST AFRAID THAT SINCE IT LOOKS LIKE TRUCK WILL HAVE LLY MOTOR THAT THEY MIGHT BE PART OF THE CHANGE. OF COURSE IF TRUCK IS RATED HIGHER POWER THAN I SUPPOSE CAT IS NOT HURTING ANYTHING. JUST HAVE TO WAIT FOR IT TO COME IN. MAN IT HAS BEEN A LONG MONTH !

Pennzoil man in my previous Gas engines.
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Hello

Do not use Pennzoil in your diesel rigs.. Our lab tests always came back real poor.. Best oil for our fleet is
15W-40 Shell Rotella. Reports come back great from Blackstone labs.. Real good oil ..

From steve
Fleet
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