AMSOIL 5W-30 or 15W-40?

[ShredWagon]

Hi -

Wondering if you guys have an answer. Awesome site btw. I'm looking to install a dual bypass system on my freshly rebuilt diesel motor - so wondering which is best suited for year round use. I will see temps of -30 towing a sled in the mountains and changing the oil from summer to winter would kinda defeat the savings this set-up offers. Opinions? Thanks!

 

[HTSS_TR]

Did you mean 5W40 instead of 15W40 ? 1W40 is too thick for Canadian winter.

 

[addyguy]

If you're seeing actual temps of -30, you want thew thinnest oil you can get. HDD 5w30 would work great.

You might also want to look into ESSO XD-3 0W-30...a great full-PAO, Canadian-only syn diesel oil.

 

[hate2work]

This is what I'd recommend to run year 'round in Canada.

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/hdd.aspx

 

[oilboy123]

Yep HDD Amsoil 5w30 It is pretty stout oil that has very good protection in the higher heat closer to the AME 15w40 Amsoil.

One of the few HD diesel engine oils for your cold weather application IMO.

Don't run the 15w40 AME Amsoil, its a great oil but won't protect as well with the -30 temps.

 

[D-Roc]

True that AME is a 15W40, but I've left it out during a cold snap (-30), and it still pours nicely.
BTW, you'll most likely be plugging in during cold temps, so I can't see why AME would be a big issue. Lots of folks run it year round. It's not your typical 15W40.
But, yes, the HDD is a good choice as well.

 

[dnewton3]

Either will work, if you're considering synthetics only. But given the propensity for cold, more than heat, I'd tend towards the lighter grade.

Does the rebuilt motor come with a warranty? If so, what are the parameters surrounding such? I'd be as concerned with that as anything, if it exists.

 

[ShredWagon]

Thanks for all the info guys > dnewton3: I'll check with the machine shop and see what they recommend for the break-in period - thanks for the heads-up. Is synthetic a problem? Otherwise - I'm going to order the HDD 5w30. It was hard to decide between the two, which was better for year round use based on the info from the AMSOIL site

D-Roc As far as plugging in the cold - I usually leave my vehicle for up to 10 hrs while sledding on some B.C. logging road. Sometimes above treeline. Haha - no power. I'm hoping to install a preoiler and later on a Webasco. "Cold" Lake got it's name for a reason - so I'm sure I could run the 15w40 like you if I have any issues.

 

[ShredWagon]

Just got off the phone with the Machinist and NO synthetics for the first 1500 to 2000 km's after the rebuild. He said the seals wouldn't seat properly. So - Japanese Spec Rotella 15W40 or Delo 400 for the first 1500km. Then AMSOIL HDD 5w30. Man I'm getting a serious lesson...thanks for the heads-up dnewton3! And thanks D-ROC.

 

[dnewton3]

Well, I'd follow the warranty directions, even though I don't personally buy into the whole "stay away from synthetics" issue. Warranty is very important on a large investment.

I think that either the HDD or AME would be a fine choice for year round use. I just thought the HDD would be "better" at cold starts, all without sacrificing any performance. I do believe that lighter grades get ignored because of mythology, unfairly. To that end, since D-Roc lives up north, and I don't, you might defer to his suggestion.