435/440 Detroit Diesel Oil Recomendations

I was told years ago by a dealership serviceman the Detroit 2-53 should be run with a low sulfated ash content engine oil (<1% sulfated ash, if possible).

Most multigrade conventional 15W-40 Diesel oils I know of have higher ash content, 1.3% or greater.

The Chevron Delo 100 single grade 40W formulated for Detroit Diesel 2 cycle applications has 0.8% sulfated ash. This oil contains 0.096% phosphorous & 0.105% zinc according to the product data sheet. I would have expected these values to be higher (.12-.13%) for slider tappet/valve train longevity.

Is this what most folks use for 2-53 engine oil Delo 100 straight 40W?

Amsoil Sae 30 synthetic rated SF-2 low ash for two stroke diesels with roller cam followers.

Oil and sparkplug (and I suppose air filter) preferences would appear to be very much like religious and political preferences. lots of passion for or against this or that.

My take on it is that if the machine is being run hard as a working tractor, then the DD recommended 40wt is the way to go with a name-brand product that lists certified specs on the bottle.

For a 50 year old tractor that otherwise falls more towards parade/hobby/weekend use end of the spectrum, I would expect that a modern 15w40 name-brand oil might be considered superior (in regards to startup protection at least).

fwiw

(quoted from post at 15:13:50 08/27/14) Oil and sparkplug (and I suppose air filter) preferences would appear to be very much like religious and political preferences. lots of passion for or against this or that.

My take on it is that if the machine is being run hard as a working tractor, then the DD recommended 40wt is the way to go with a name-brand product that lists certified specs on the bottle.

For a 50 year old tractor that otherwise falls more towards parade/hobby/weekend use end of the spectrum, I would expect that a modern 15w40 name-brand oil might be considered superior (in regards to startup protection at least).

fwiw

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If you read the Deteoit Diesel service and operators manuals. DD specifically states NOT to use multi weight engine oil.

(quoted from post at 17:51:33 08/27/14)

(quoted from post at 15:13:50 08/27/14) Oil and sparkplug (and I suppose air filter) preferences would appear to be very much like religious and political preferences. lots of passion for or against this or that.

My take on it is that if the machine is being run hard as a working tractor, then the DD recommended 40wt is the way to go with a name-brand product that lists certified specs on the bottle.

For a 50 year old tractor that otherwise falls more towards parade/hobby/weekend use end of the spectrum, I would expect that a modern 15w40 name-brand oil might be considered superior (in regards to startup protection at least).

fwiw

Click to expand...

If you read the Deteoit Diesel service and operators manuals. DD specifically states NOT to use multi weight engine oil.

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agreed. As I stated. I believe that it also specifically states to use 40W and indicates the required certifications.

Of course, back in 1960 John Deere also stated to use straight weight motor oil in the 430. And I'm reasonably sure that a modern multi-grade oil is still better than the best you could get back then.

(quoted from post at 23:23:10 08/27/14) Of course, back in 1960 John Deere also stated to use straight weight motor oil in the 430. And I'm reasonably sure that a modern multi-grade oil is still better than the best you could get back then.

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Please quit yapping off about something you don't know anything about. If you had read the DD manual . You would have understood engine durability issue of scored sleeves , plugged ports, stuck rings , stuck valves and plugged exhaust ports.
The plugging and scoring was due to the combustion by products of oil additives such as zinc, phosphorus .and polymeric molecular chains to make oil " multi-weight".
Same reason for when two stroke lube oil for gasoline engines is substituted by Bubba for what ever four stroke oil is on the shelf. The two stroke gasser will soon plug with deposites.
So take your conjecture, buzz off and wreck just your own two stroke Detroit Diesel.
Check with shops that specialize in DD two strokes. #1 cause of DD engines being in the shop is some Bubba thinking diesel motor oil is diesel motor oil.
What do you think is ok for oil in a post 2007 highway Diesel engine ?

Though I suspect that there are a variety of sources of documentation, we can refer to "ENGINE REQUIREMENTS — LUBRICATING OIL, FUEL AND FILTERS - 7SE270 0510 Copyright © 2005 DETROIT DIESEL CORPORATION" in terms of oil requirements as one example (ref: http://www.demanddetroit.com/pdf/vocations/lube-oil-fuel-requirements.pdf published about 50 years later than the engine in question was installed). I'm not sure what the 1960 version of this document would state and I was unable to locate one after during a very brief search.

Certainly we do agree upon DD explicitly specifying straight 40 weight oil (must be certified/licensed CF-2). In this regard, I believe that both of our recommendations would be inconsistent with the requirements (at least in DD's documentation cited).

From how I read it, this except at ambient temperatures below freezing (to ease starting) where use of multigrade SAE 15W-40 is permitted. 30 weight oil (presumably also CF-2 certified) is also allowed at conditions less than freezing temperatures. These oils must be replaced with monograde SAE 40 lubricants as soon as ambient conditions permit.

Now how much damage running a non-approved/recommended oil (e.g. non CF-2 or 15w40 or straight 30) in "normal" conditions would be subject to some discussion. I do believe that the original poster probably would be OK following the published specs.

DD indicated a requirement of "non specified" about zinc, Phosphorous, or Calcium, but then went on to note "700 ppm minimum recommended" (I didn't look up to see if CF-2 had any special requirements there).

Shell Rotella T used to have a 40 weight that was for 2 cycle Detroit diesel use, may check some truck shops/oil distributors in your area. If not maybe you could find the nearest Detroit diesel dealer.

some of the confusion (and, no doubt passion as I alluded to earlier) comes from conflicting documentation. I'm certainly one of the victims.

Note the 440ID Nebraska test includes: "...new oil conforming to specifications in the operators manual..." and "FUEL, OIL and TIME Fuel No 2 diesel Cetane No 51 (rating taken from oil company's typical inspection data) Specific gravity converted to 60° /600 0.8418 Weight per gallon 7.009 Ib Oil SAE 30 API service classification ML, MM, MS, DG and DM To motor 2.024 gal Drained from motor 1.729 gal Transmission and final-drive lubricant SAE No 80 Type multi-purpose lubricant Total time motor was operated 34 hours."

From this I infer that 30W is what was listed in the operator's manual as the suggested/required oil weight.

If so, I humbly submit that a 30W is the correct choice.