Diesel Generator Oil

[marco246]

Hi, All, this is my first post. . . .

I'd like some advice on the best oil to use in my diesel generator. Here are the specifics:

--Northern Lights industrial genset NL 673M with a 0.71 liter, 3-cyclinder, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled Shibaura engine.

--Operates at 1800 RPM.

--Uses high-sulfur diesel fuel.

--3 quart oil sump, oil changes at 200 hour intervals. The owner's manual specifies 100-hour changes but the dealer passed on word-of-mouth instructions that the factory had extended the interval to 200, so that's what I'm doing.

--Ambient operating temperature is in the 55-85*F range, but usually at about 65-75. Elevation is 1250 feet ASL.

--Time on the engine is just under 4000 hours.

--I have used Chevron Delo 400 15W-40 exclusively in this engine. Folks around here swear by it, and it's available and cheap at Costco.

I have become convinced that synthetic oils are the best way to protect my engines, and I now use M1 in my three passenger vehicles. So now I'm trying to decide whether to make the switch to synthetics in my generator and John Deere tractor (to be the subject of a separate post).

I have some Shell Rotella T synthetic 5W-40 which I'm thinking of using in the generator. The stuff is available at Wal-Mart and it's not too pricey. Seems like it would reduce start-up wear considerably. I am open to suggestion as to what synthetic to use. Also, it may be that through sheer dumb luck that the Delo is just the right oil for this engine. If it's smarter to continue using that, so much the better.

I look forward to your advice and observations.

Cheers, Mark

 

[eljefino]

How do you use this? Is this a standby generator that's at full load 30 seconds after the grid power goes out? With 4000 hours use, I somewhat doubt it. Does it see a lot of dusty construction sites? How many hours does it run at a time? What are you running for an oil filter? How close to capacity do you run it?

 

[Stinky Peterson]

The biggest advantage to synthetics in diesel eniges are the benefits seen in temperature extremes. In the lab we don't see significant decreases in wear and the dyno test data we have doesn't show significant increases in mileage. The cases I've been involved with did not allow significant increases in oil change intervals either. In your case the added price for the synthetic would be hard to justify. Considering the small sump you would do better to use Delo and stick with the 100 hours changes if you really want to treat it well.

 

[marco246]

eljefino,

I am off the grid, and this genset supplements the electrical power from a micro-hydro system and photovotaic array. It runs at least every other day for 2 or 3 hours at a time. It is rated for 6 KW but the max load I put on it is 35 Amps at 120 Volts--so that's 4.2 KW (which has a nice military ring to it). On start-up it runs immediately at 1800 RPM and after 16 seconds synchronizes with the Trace inverter/charger which gradually but quickly loads the genset. The environment is low on dust, the genset is stationary in a small shed, the I change the air filter every 1000 hours. I have used several brands of oil filter from Fleetguard to CarQuest to Napa to Fram. Presently have a Fram TG 3600, which is larger than the OEM filter. (Does using a Fram make me a bad person)?

Cheers, Mark

 

[eljefino]

Can you fit an FL-1a/PH8a size filter on there? You can if the larger diameter works.

You sound like you're not in the elevated, aggravated severe service category so the 15w40 will probably do. Am envious of what sounds like a nice spread. Pictures?

 

[Craig]

On my boat I have a 3 cylinder Koehler 8kw genny.
Because of the constant velocity nature of these engines I
Use Amsoil ACD Heavy Duty Diesel straight wt 30 oil.
Craig

 

[marco246]

Guys,

Thanks for the recommendations and comments. I think I'll stay with the Chevron 15W-40 for the time being (especially since I've got 3 gallons on hand). In the meantime I'll stay tuned here and continue my education. A question on motor oil for the tractor will appear shortly. . . .

Cheers, Mark

 

[Gurkha]

I use Delo 400 and Delvac Super with great results on diesel as well as kerosene gensets. Easy on pocket and keeps the insides of the gensets sparkling clean.

 

[1sttruck]

Stinky Peterson said: "The biggest advantage to synthetics in diesel eniges are the benefits seen in temperature extremes. In the lab we don't see significant decreases in wear and the dyno test data we have doesn't show significant increases in mileage. The cases I've been involved with did not allow significant increases in oil change intervals either."

Based on what I've been figure out, I agree. A number of OEMs seem to agree too, where they state that change intervals can't be extended just because you're using a synthetic, but synthetics do make sense in temperature extremes. Another conclusion one can make is that dino HDEO is really good stuff.

 

[marco246]

Gurkha,

Whereabouts in India are you? Haven't been to India in 5 years, but when I was last there it was difficult to find much variety in motor oils. I used an Indian-produced Castrol GTX 15W-40 in my Mitsu Montero (Pajero) at the time. This was in Delhi, and most people were using 20W-50 in everything year-round.

Cheers, Mark

 

[Gurkha]

Hi Mark,

5 years back, you were better off using Indian-oil Servo rather than Castrol, due to government policies, Castrol had a huge monopoly and for imported oils like Delo and Delvac, you would have to hit the gray market scene. Most did not even know the difference between SJ or CD oil and it was common to use gas rated oil in diesel engines.

Things changed drastically within the last five years, now you can find any of the international brands in remotest areas of India, most are locally produced in collaboration with the Indian oil companies. Most of the major car companies are here now so it was bound to happen, sadly, stuff like synthetic tranny oil are only the realm of auto dealers and therefore out of touch for commoners like myself.

20W-50 though is history now, 15W-40 is the norm and it suits the overall weather quite well unless you are in the north during winters where it would not be a good idea.

Next time you visit India, look me up, by the way, did you drive down overland with your Pajero? How did it cope with the conditions, my general experience is that they don't do so well here as compared to diesel Land Cruisers.

 

[marco246]

Hi, Gurkha,

My "Pajero" was actually the U.S.-spec version called the Montero, which has a 3-liter gasoline V6. I still have the vehicle and now use M1 5W-30 in it. It arrived in Calcutta from Virginia and was shipped by rail to Delhi. It went out the same way enroute Hawaii. I was on a dip passport at the time and the tab was picked up by Uncle Sam. Before shipping it to India I put Castrol Syntec 5W-50 in it, but obviously I couldn't find that when I needed to change and so went with GTX 15W-40.

The Montero held up fine, although we only made one trip out of Delhi in it, up to the Kumaon hills on vacation. An interesting trip in that I decided on a shortcut which involved fording a couple of streams. My wife was doing the driving as I had a bum leg, and I still hear about it. . . . I only put 12,000 miles on it in three years there, as I had my own "motor pool" of RHD Toyotas. This included a diesel Land Cruiser, which as you say, is a rugged vehicle. We made a long trip through the Rajasthan desert in the LC, and it never skipped a beat.

Cheers, Mark

 

[Gurkha]

If you guys ever plan on coming again, be my guest, will take you to trails that I am sure you would truly appreciate.