Another Rotella foam thread

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Northern Alberta / BC
I reached out to see if there was interest in Lake looking at the foaming claims about Rotella.

Thank you for contacting SPEEDiagnostix. I do not have any information about Rotella T6 no longer passing the foam test for CK-4 oils. However, I am happy to pass this along to Lake to consider for a future video. He already has the video schedule set for 2026, with many of the videos in various stages of production, but he is always keeping a list of ideas for future videos.

Thank you for posing the question and the suggestion for a future video!

Michelle




How would you rate my reply?

--
Michelle Weeks

Screenshot 2026-05-26 143356 ROTELLA.webp
 
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HPL apparently tried whisking one & it didn't meet the foaming limits from that single sample. However, Dave stated, while this one didn't pass the test, he surmised the overall average would pass the test. I think Mr Speed is well aware of that but it sounds like you've put in a request for him to do a "Video" on it.
 
I reached out to see if there was interest in Lake looking at the foaming claims about Rotella.
Really!
Thank you for contacting SPEEDiagnostix. I do not have any information about Rotella T6 no longer passing the foam test for CK-4 oils.
OK!
However, I am happy to pass this along to Lake to consider for a future video.
OK!
He already has the video schedule set for 2026, with many of the videos in various stages of production, but he is always keeping a list of ideas for future videos.
OK!
Thank you for posing the question and the suggestion for a future video!
You are Welcome!
How would you rate my reply?
I would say awesome, because your name is Michelle! If the reply from SPEEDDiagnosticx was from someone else that would not be awesome.
 
looks like something that belongs on Facebook Messenger to a friend.
Not sure the usefulness of posting it on bitog?

Unless your name is Michelle and you are looking for feedback 😂
 
https://www.bing.com/search?q=miche...B9E83338653DCD5F48E&FORM=QBRE&sp=4&ghc=1&lq=0

There was a song Michelle, and it was performed by the Beatles, look at there expressions, they do not seem happy, the song and Rotella as well as the name Michelle is not good. I have heard members say things like Brotella, the Beatles not only were one of the greatest bands of all time but the picture of them says everything about Shell Rotella! The Beatles are on BITOG, there influence is everywhere!
 
I took Michelle to be the person at Speediagnostix who replied, and the "rate my reply" part was just part of a generic "rate my customer service" email signature that got copied and pasted along with the rest of the response email. The OP isn't Michelle and isn't asking for us to rate their reply.

I've run ~65k miles on Rotella and never had an issue, foaming or otherwise. I don't care if Rotella has a foaming issue in applications which are not my application, or in off-label non recommended applications. I will continue to use it when it's the cheapest option that meets my specs when I need to buy oil.
 
Ok, you sent an email to a YT celebrity.

Zillions of miles on Rotella and zero anecdotes of an engine exploding because of it says alot more then the few very loud voices on this forum. 🤷‍♂️

I have a box full of trashed bearings and wiped lifters from Rotella. People have issues with it all the time, but because they put it on a pedestal, they never blame the oil. "Well I got good oil in it so that couldn't have been the problem." I've watched engine builders flush 5 figures down the toilet, bashing multiple parts brands for the failures, before finally trying something other than BROtella. (and the failures stop)
 
I have a box full of trashed bearings and wiped lifters from Rotella. People have issues with it all the time, but because they put it on a pedestal, they never blame the oil. "Well I got good oil in it so that couldn't have been the problem." I've watched engine builders flush 5 figures down the toilet, bashing multiple parts brands for the failures, before finally trying something other than BROtella. (and the failures stop)
Those are simply more words on the internet, not data.
 
Just because it's not a good oil for break-in on certain applications doesn't instantly make it the worst oil on the market for its intended ones. Some will continue taking its use out of context to prove their personal bias on it by pushing fear in any appropriate application. Others then push that narrative as if it's the only answer. So long as you're using it for its intended purpose there are no issues.
 
I reached out to see if there was interest in Lake looking at the foaming claims about Rotella.
I just want to leave this here. Randomly found it on an Aussie website amid discussion on the Rotella oils in the Motorcycle forum.

ACEA Service Classifications
  • E9
    Designed for Euro 4, Euro 5 & Euro 6 emission diesel engines, with and without DPFs. SAPS limits line up with API CJ-4 & TBN 7 minimum.
  • E11
    2022 saw the introduction of E11 which supersedes and is intended to replace E9, with increased emphasis on oxidation stability and aeration performance. Good oxidation performance helps to prevent oil thickening and reduces acid formation in the engine, which is especially important with increased service intervals. Improved aeration performance helps prevent oil starvation, accelerated engine wear and helps maintain engine power output.
 
I just want to leave this here. Randomly found it on an Aussie website amid discussion on the Rotella oils in the Motorcycle forum.

ACEA Service Classifications
  • E9
    Designed for Euro 4, Euro 5 & Euro 6 emission diesel engines, with and without DPFs. SAPS limits line up with API CJ-4 & TBN 7 minimum.
  • E11
    2022 saw the introduction of E11 which supersedes and is intended to replace E9, with increased emphasis on oxidation stability and aeration performance. Good oxidation performance helps to prevent oil thickening and reduces acid formation in the engine, which is especially important with increased service intervals. Improved aeration performance helps prevent oil starvation, accelerated engine and helps maintain engine power output.
I'll keep that in mind when I get a Diesel engined motorcycle. (I did see one in India once). For shared sump, wet clutch, gasoline powered motorcycles I will continue to use motorcycle oil because I'm not so cheap like Bros who use Brotella.- because they are too cheap to buy the real thing.
 
I remember watching LSJr's video on NOS motor oil and rear axle lube. Left-overs from his father's racing days, in unopened containers.

I watched as the rear axle lube frothed-up a big amount. I wondered, as it used to be common to only top-off rear axle lube rather than change it every so often, how rear axle gears lasted as long as they did with the decades-old lube in them?

Foam will happen more easily in normal atmospheric pressure, NOT when the fluid itself is under pressure from the oil pump.

Personally, I would be more concerned about the additive package, the flow tests, and evaporation test results than "foam".

CBODY67
 
I remember watching LSJr's video on NOS motor oil and rear axle lube. Left-overs from his father's racing days, in unopened containers.

I watched as the rear axle lube frothed-up a big amount. I wondered, as it used to be common to only top-off rear axle lube rather than change it every so often, how rear axle gears lasted as long as they did with the decades-old lube in them?

Foam will happen more easily in normal atmospheric pressure, NOT when the fluid itself is under pressure from the oil pump.

Personally, I would be more concerned about the additive package, the flow tests, and evaporation test results than "foam".

CBODY67
🍺
 
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