Not a normal oil question

[Mlarv]

OK I am not trying to get into what brand etc. I have a very simple question (at least in my mind).

What is the deference between a regular gas engine oil and diesel engine oil?

I am not trying to put it in my tractor or truck just wondering why 5W 30 for a gas engine is different the 5w 30 for a diesel.


I figure the brain power here would know.
Thanks

 

[Fordtech86]

What is the deference between a regular gas engine oil and diesel engine oil?

the additives in them. Would NOT recommend using gas engine oil in a diesel. It will break down much faster.

I do use rotella 5w40 diesel oil in all my gas engines though (besides wife car and my daily driver)

 

[ruger1980]

I would not say that gasoline rated oils would break down quicker but they would not handle the demands of a diesel engine. The combustion byproducts are greater and quite a different. A diesel oil will have to handle soot and higher acid concentrations.
HDEO's have more additives than most any oil you will find.

 

[TheOldHokie]

I would not say that gasoline rated oils would break down quicker but they would not handle the demands of a diesel engine. The combustion byproducts are greater and quite a different. A diesel oil will have to handle soot and higher acid concentrations.
HDEO's have more additives than most any oil you will find.

A couple simple examples:

Your tractors DPF is not going to like the added soot generated by gas engine oils.

Conversely:

Your cars catalytic converter is not going to like the phosphorous levels in a diesel oil.

Dan

 

[GSD-Keegan]

Funny. I was just thinking about this question today. More so about using my leftover rotella diesel oil in small engines like generators mowers small Honda engines…..

 

[ruger1980]

Funny. I was just thinking about this question today. More so about using my leftover rotella diesel oil in small engines like generators mowers small Honda engines…..

Wont hurt those small engines one bit

 

[Fordtech86]

Funny. I was just thinking about this question today. More so about using my leftover rotella diesel oil in small engines like generators mowers small Honda engines…..

Thats what I run in all mine.

 

[GeoHorn]

The EP additives in diesel oil (phosphorus-based) to deal with increased bearing loads will overwhelm gasoline engine emissions controls while the gasoline engine oils will not address the bearing loads and soot developed by diesel engines. It’s just that simple.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

great question, there are many difference:
- typically diesel oil has higher viscosity
- much different additive package as diesel oil needs to handle much dirtier fuel , higher compressions, need for better shear protection and often higher torques so detergent packages is way way different.


first hand experience tells me if you are going to use diesel oils in gas engines like log splitters, lawn mowers etc... you will ruin them very very fast. No experience the other way though, sorry.

 

[hagrid]

API designations are handy at times like these.

 

[TheOldHokie]

API designations are handy at times like these.

DOH!!!

 

[Mlarv]

API designations are handy at times like these.

Then we wouldn't have a conversation like this.

 

[RalphVa]

OK I am not trying to get into what brand etc. I have a very simple question (at least in my mind).

What is the deference between a regular gas engine oil and diesel engine oil?

I am not trying to put it in my tractor or truck just wondering why 5W 30 for a gas engine is different the 5w 30 for a diesel.


I figure the brain power here would know.
Thanks

Some extra detergent or dispersent to keep the diesel soot in solution. You can use diesel oil in a gasoline engine.

 

[RalphVa]

great question, there are many difference:
- typically diesel oil has higher viscosity
- much different additive package as diesel oil needs to handle much dirtier fuel , higher compressions, need for better shear protection and often higher torques so detergent packages is way way different.


first hand experience tells me if you are going to use diesel oils in gas engines like log splitters, lawn mowers etc... you will ruin them very very fast. No experience the other way though, sorry.

Wrong. Misinformation.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Then we wouldn't have a conversation like this.

You could find a lot more reliable and in depth information on this subject by actually researching the API service category requirements online. Asking an open ended question like this on a tractor forum will get you a maelstrom of opinion and misinformation with maybe a nugget or to of real engineering fact swirling helplessly in the currents.

Dan

 

[lmichael]

I use Rotella T6 5-40 in all my gas equipment. Always have and always will since it came out. Used to use it in one of my cars as well but no longer have the car as it was wrecked by a Jeep. It also goes in my G2160. Only reason I don't put it in my current cars is one specs Synthetic 0W-20 and the other specs a new GL6 IIRC at 0W-16. Besides they get dealer service now primarily. One my 2011 Toyota Highlander I will occasionally do it myself. But the other 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid always at the dealer especially since it's under the free service deal
Rotella will NOT ruin a gas engine

 

[William1]

A lot of guys run Rotella in motorcycles and swear by it. Cheap and it keeps worn clutch particles in suspension.
I only run it in my tractor.

 

[woodsy]

Been wondering about this too being new to a diesel engine.
Coming due for a oil change so looked in the online manual for my
95 L3300 and it calls for a SAE 10-30/40 with a API CC or CD classification.
So being an older tractor are those classifications still relevant or
have they changed ?
Nevermind, found the answer to my question:

API Engine Oil Lubricant Specifications - oilspecifications.org

www.oilspecifications.org

 

[lmichael]

A lot of guys run Rotella in motorcycles and swear by it. Cheap and it keeps worn clutch particles in suspension.
I only run it in my tractor.

Buddy has a Moto Guzzi Californian 1100i Recommended right in the owner's manual Rotella T6 5W-40

 

[TheOldHokie]

Been wondering about this too being new to a diesel engine.
Coming due for a oil change so looked in the online manual for my
95 L3300 and it calls for a SAE 10-30/40 with a API CC or CD classification.
So being an older tractor are those classifications still relevant or
have they changed ?
Nevermind, found the answer to my question:

API Engine Oil Lubricant Specifications - oilspecifications.org

www.oilspecifications.org

They are obsolete and have been superceded by newer specifications. The current designation for oils in that service category is CK-4.

Dan