Recommended oil for 6.5L diesel?

bkhosken · Jan 23, 2007

I am new to diesels, and I know diesels have their own grades of oil. However, I have heard from 2 camps about oil. One group says "use the cheapest oil (like store brand) and change is often", and the other group says "buy brand name (insert favorite brand), the store brands are crap".

I assume the store brand is made by one of the big brand name oil manufacturers, and supplied like generic drugs. Any opinions? Any solid evidence?

DieselDufus · Jan 23, 2007

That's something I struggled with for years on the gassers. It is VERY difficult to find objective data on this subject. You're going to get a lot of opinions but not alot of solid evidence (some...but not enough to make an informed decision).

My advice would be to ensure the oil has the proper SAE diesel ratings, see if you like the color of the bottle and can say the name without giggling and you'll be fine.

You'll spend your time more wisely researching the filter. In my opinion, stupendous oil and a cheap filter = junk. Cheap oil (albeit with the proper diesel ratings) plus a stupendous filter = a good approach.

You might look up a guy by the name of "Bob the oil guy" for more information.

awake1630 · Jan 23, 2007

The 6.5 have to have CG-4 certified 15W-40. I use Castrol Long life 15W-40 that is CG-4 certified. I also fun a Fram X-tra Guard oil filter.

GChief · Jan 23, 2007

bkhosken;1545326; said:
I assume the store brand is made by one of the big brand name oil manufacturers, and supplied like generic drugs. Any opinions? Any solid evidence?

Any store brand is better than the best oils 25yrs ago (dino), run what you like with a good filter!!! And do oil analysis :damnit1: :beerchug: .

JMHO

Stepper · Jan 24, 2007

I use Shell Rotella or Valvoline true blue. Never a problem with either.

DavidPhillips · Jan 24, 2007

Any oil with the proper CG-4 rating and viscosity for the weather conditions.

mvgmc · Jan 24, 2007

I use to run Delvac 1 5w40 synthetic. It is kind of expensive so I switched to Shell Rotella T 15w40 a few years back and haven't had any oil related problems.

96GMC6.5L · Jan 24, 2007

:iamwithst Scratch out the stupid part.

Jacob

billyjackk2500 · Jan 24, 2007

Im gonna have to go with the Castrol tection extra my man mentioned earlier, it doesnt break down as fast as some of the others I have used. Read the labels some are designed for certain brands, the vavoline blue is supposedly geared for cummins. Rotella is fine, but the bottom line is used whats reccomended for your ride, they all cost the same 12 dollars a jug.

Dieseldad97 · Jan 24, 2007

Any of you use the genuine GM oil filter that your dealer sells?

Just wondering......is there better out there?( should this be a diff. thread? )

Thanks.

DavidPhillips · Jan 24, 2007

I use amsoil oil and filters.

billyjackk2500 · Jan 24, 2007

My buddy runs the HP4 fram filter...fits perfect and is slighty larger and is geared for racing setups!? I guess it is the upgrade for the oil system. I havent used one but I will next oil change. He says it has better filtration, thats all I know.

Stepper · Jan 24, 2007

I was buying the $13 K&N filter for a while and I had no doubt it filtered great but a couple time the rubber O ring came off so now I switch between Wix and AC Delco both of which I can get at Autozone.

Horsehaulin · Jan 24, 2007

Napa brand filters are made by Wix. Which is one of the best. I am in the same boat as Davidphillips. I run Amsoil with a EAO filter. Good luck with it so far. I use Amsoil in my diffs, trans, and transfer case too.

Tony

Pillow · Jan 24, 2007

I use the AC Delco filters. Seems okay to me. Purolator makes a great filter, but never tried it on the 6.5.

The oil I get in the 5 gallon buckets at Tractor Supply. Shell Rotella T 15W-40.

I agree though, get a good filter (not Fram) and whatever oil should be fine. And change the filter at every oil change.

Also my change interval is 5K on the 96 and 4K on the 99.

steiner43511 · Jan 24, 2007

i've ran everything from Pennzoil Longlife, CaseIH oil, Delo 400, Rotella T (Dino and Syn) to Schaeffers 700 and 9000. Never had any problems and will probably go back to Rotella Dino (cause they sell it at work) after this next change. i like the schaeffers, but it is so hard to get. and have never had any trouble with wix or purolator filters.

DavidPhillips · Jan 24, 2007

It all tastes like crap. But you gotta have it.

Stingray454 · Jan 24, 2007

Pillow;1546272; said:
I use the AC Delco filters. Seems okay to me. Purolator makes a great filter, but never tried it on the 6.5.

I just put a Purolator on my 6.5 last week when I changed the oil. Advance Auto (Checker) carries them. Cheap too - I think it was $2.89 for the filter. I guess its a good filter - I just stick to the name brand ones, usually AC Delco, Purolator, and Bosch.

My Z06 only gets Mobil 1, Bosch, or AC Delco Ultra filters (if I can find them). Usually Mobil 1 as its the easiest to find.

As for the oil, I use any of the top brand 15W-40 diesel oil rated for our engines, whichever is on sale or available. So far, it has only been Rotella-T, Valvoline True Blue, or Castrol. Change every 3k miles. Chances are the engine will die from a broken crank, cracked heads or cracked block long before it dies from oil related wear and tear using this oil program.

cmb3366 · Jan 24, 2007

I ran Rotella T 15W-40 for a while, and its good stuff, but can make for harder starts when it gets COLD, as in the negative digits farenheit. I've since switched to Synthetic Rotella 5W-40 and notice a marked improvement in cranking. As far as a filter is concerned, I figure the oil is only good if kept clean, so I run a Purolator Pure-One, ther run about $6 from Advance Auto. I change every 4000miles as oil is inexpensive compared to keeping diesel in the tank, and I figure it's cheap insurance for a long engine life.

nevada6.5 · Jan 25, 2007

Dello 400 and fram filter, every 3000

bkhosken · Jan 25, 2007

Thanks for the info. I read on bob the oil guy's site that Fram filters were crap. Anyone know who makes the Advance Auto Parts store brand filters? I change oil every 3K miles, cheap insurance.

DieselDufus · Jan 25, 2007

Pillow;1546272; said:
I use the AC Delco filters. Seems okay to me. Purolator makes a great filter, but never tried it on the 6.5.

The oil I get in the 5 gallon buckets at Tractor Supply. Shell Rotella T 15W-40.

I agree though, get a good filter (not Fram) and whatever oil should be fine. And change the filter at every oil change.

Also my change interval is 5K on the 96 and 4K on the 99.

Ditto what he said except I use the Purolator Filters. I switched from the junk FRAM once I found their bypass valve has no rubber seal whatsoever. Just metal to metal contact.

FastCR · Jan 25, 2007

Rotella T + Napa Gold Filter

Turbine Doc · Jan 25, 2007

NAPA=WIX last time I looked NAPA does not make it's own filters, & WIX is a good filter

wild willy · Jan 26, 2007

I run Delo-400. The engines (gassers) that I have rebuilt for various reasons that I used Delo in were very clean where other engines are scorched or dirty (sludge). Another reason I run Delo-400 is the statement on the container "Recomended for Diesel engines in moderate to extreme use". Just my 2 bits worth.

Recommended oil for 6.5L diesel?

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