Shell Rotella T6

[Boondocker]

According to manual oil must meet VDS-3 specs and they list several weights. Shell Rotella T6 only comes in 5W-40 and is VDS4. I suspect VDS4 is a newer spec and wonder if it is backwards complient. T6 is a full synthetic. I suspect this oil didn't exist in its current form at time my D4 manual was written. Is it ok to use in my Volvo D4? Would it be possible to get clarification from Volvo? Thanks.

I'm finding Volvo diesel oil is not readily available but Rotella is available everywhere; so I'm seeking a readily available substitute and prefer synthetics in my equipment.

Thanks

 

[walldog]

According to manual oil must meet VDS-3 specs and they list several weights. Shell Rotella T6 only comes in 5W-40 and is VDS4. I suspect VDS4 is a newer spec and wonder if it is backwards compliment. T6 is a full synthetic. I suspect this oil didn't exist in its current form at time my D4 manual was written. Is it ok to use in my Volvo D4? Would it be possible to get clarification from Volvo? Thanks.

I'm finding Volvo diesel oil is not readily available but Rotella is available everywhere; so I'm seeking a readily available substitute and prefer synthetics in my equipment.

Thanks

That is what I use in my R27 4BY180

 

[Barry Cohen]

Ditto.

 

[Levitation]

T6 is a full synthetic.
It covers all forms of diesel engine service, including Severe.
Shell offers a 10 year engine warranty for T6 use.(HAVE TO SIGN UP)
http://www.shell.com/rotella/warranty.html
It will not be listed in engine manuals that were produced in yesteryear.
And yes, T6 is backwards compatible to earlier specs.

Delo 400 from Chevron is another excellent synthetic oil that is likely not listed but is widely available.
Delo 400 LE Synthetic SAE 5W-40 (API CJ-4)

Mobil one offers synthetic oil for diesels. As do Castrol and others.
And there are specialty brand name oils (packaged for them by one of the major refiners) such as Red Line, Royal Purple, etc.

 

[Boondocker]

I think it would be a great choice for the Volvo D4 my real question is whether it would affect the warranty for the motor.

 

[knotflying]

I was told that as long as the API letters higher than what is specified then it is better than what is specified. As an example SN is better than SJ. Here is a link http://www.pqiamerica.com/apiserviceclass.htm

 

[ronnieg]

According to the volvo rep, you can use volvo oil, delo, and rotello 15 w 40 std. oil. No synthectic till broken in at least 500 hours.

Ronnie Gonzales
Cutwater Customer Service
425-220-3932
Ronniegonzales@cutwaterboats.com

 

[STELLA L]

Ronnie, I hope these hours do not refer also to the Yanmar. I was told to use synthetic at my first oil change which was at 50 hrs.

 

[ronnieg]

no this does not refer to the yanmar, as the came with synthetic oil already. I was only refering to the Volvo engines

 

[Boondocker]

Thanks Ronnie that was the answer I was looking for.

 

[baz]

I've run Volvo auto engines for 40 years… both gasoline and diesel ones. I've always used mineral oil complying with the Volvo specified viscosity.

In general, it's wise to follow the engine manufacturers maintenance advice for oils.

Yanmar requires synthetic so use it. If Volvo recommends synthetic then use it.

Jet engines use synthetic oil whereas aircraft piston engines use mineral base oil per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthetic_oil

The most important maintenance advice is to replace oil and more importantly the oil filter frequently -- more frequently than what the manufacturer states is also good advice IMO. This is also IMO a wise approach for Volvo manufactured engines.

The Shell Rotella T6 oil appears to be excellent and should be AOK in your Volvo D4 engine… just change it frequently if you're using the boat a lot. Walmart sells this oil for a very reasonable price at around $20/gallon.

 

[Boondocker]

Interesting the rep would say that as the operators manual mentions nothing of a 500 hour break in period, and also states under the oil specs section that mineral oil, partial synthetic, and full synthetic authorized provided meets specs.