How long can Rotella stay in an engine??

[SuperEd73]

Hello BITOG members,

My apologies if this topic has already been covered and I missed it during my search of old threads.

Right now I'm using Rotella 15w40 in my old '68 Dodge w/383. I put the oil in a few weeks ago. Obviously not ready for a change yet but I was wondering how long the oil can stay in the crankcase before it should be changed just due to age.

It's not my daily driver so I probably only put about 25-50 miles on it a week.

Also on a side note, my first oil change was using Pennzoil HM 10W-40 and I noticed it was definitely burning some off within 500 miles so I decided to switch over after reading numerous threads on BITOG as to the proper oil. Since the switch, dipstick shows no burn off!

Thanks.

Ed B.

 

[Gary Allan]

Your biggest enemy will be fuel dilution with your carb'd big block Mopar. You're not driving it any distance (unless it's ONE trip per week) and will be in warm up much of the time. Even with full warm up achieved, I don't know how well any carb did in fuel management ..especially one nearly 30 years old.

The Rotella will probably be fine from a TBN standpoint for a year ..but I'd probably go no further than 6 months due to fuel contamination (an assumed state on my part). I'd also figure on something different for the winter.

Auto-Rx would be a product that you should invest in. One UOA at 6 months wouldn't be a waste just to "know".

 

[Chris142]

I change the Rotella in my Peterbilt every year. It only goes to shows and parades...Maybe 2000 miles a year. I send in a sample every year and it's still ok to use but I change it and the filters anyway.

 

[Drivebelt]

I think once a year is fine. I'm doing a 1 year 5K mile OCI in my 87 Jetta with conventional.

Modern Group II oils (conventional) are so good -- particularly the HDEO 15w40's, you can almost treat them like synthetics.

 

[Merkava_4]

How many quarts are you running?

 

[Camu Mahubah]

Rotella is super robust oil...one could get away with once a year oci or perhaps twice a year oci if yearly mileage is not too high...one should use high-quality filter if attempting this...

 

[SuperEd73]

To All,
Thanks for the input!

Gary, I actually ordered a batch of Auto-Rx yesterday due to the positive feedback I've seen on BITOG. I'm also going to run it in my Subaru WRX when my next OCI occurs.

Merkava 4, I wasn't sure if you were asking me that question about how many quarts or one of the other posters. In my case, the Dodge gets the standard 5 quart fill and that brings the oil up to full on the dipstick.

 

[Merkava_4]

Yes I was asking you that question. I'm thinking at only 5 quarts, maybe you shouldn't go past 6 months. Keep an eye on the appearance of the oil by looking for changes in colour which could indicate the presence of dirt. The main thing is to keep the engine buttoned up tight so that dirt can't be ingested.

 

[1999nick]

Quote:

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Rotella is super robust oil...one could get away with once a year oci or perhaps twice a year oci if yearly mileage is not too high...one should use high-quality filter if attempting this...

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Isn't the latest formulation of Rotella 15W40 dino now API rated "SM"? The Rotella 5W40 synthetic is still SL. I read that it will make the changeover to "SM" in a few months. Just something to think about if you have an older engine with sliding tappets instead of a roller cam.