NEW DELO 400

[OLDMANBJ]

Hi Guys,
Could some of the experts clarify this point for me please? I know there is a lot of debate as to whether Moly will make a clutch slip or not. Who really knows? However, I have read on this forum , that a good indicator as to if an oil is suitable for bike use is, if it is Alison C-4 rated. I contacted Chevron and they told me the new oil formulation is NOT C-4 rated anymore.The reason I am asking is that unlike the other two,Shell and Mobil, we get the same Delo 400 that you guys get in the USA, and it is really easy to find.
Thanks for any information, John

 

[rokky]

There are a couple of lengthy threads debating this very issue.

You'll have to make your own call on this one.

Another question you could ask Chevron or Allison: "why is the oil not Allison C4 rated anymore".

I work for a company that has a few Allison transmissions in heavy equipment. They still use Delo 15w40 in them. There has not been a failure yet. There is really no way to tell if there is slippage or performance loss. I will be sure to post results when one does fail and if the oil played a part.

 

[OLDMANBJ]

Thanks Rokky.

If I was to try this oil and found that the clutch slipped, could you do any permanent damage or could you just replace the oil?

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by OLDMANBJ:
Hi Guys,
Could some of the experts clarify this point for me please? I know there is a lot of debate as to whether Moly will make a clutch slip or not. Who really knows? However, I have read on this forum , that a good indicator as to if an oil is suitable for bike use is, if it is Alison C-4 rated. I contacted Chevron and they told me the new oil formulation is NOT C-4 rated anymore.The reason I am asking is that unlike the other two,Shell and Mobil, we get the same Delo 400 that you guys get in the USA, and it is really easy to find.
Thanks for any information, John

---

Contact Chevron again and see what the next guy says. I would be suprised if the dropped C4 compatibility from a dino HDEO.

Early Suzuki 1200cc Bandits were notorious for clutch skippage on auto synthetics and energy conserving oils. A lot of "experts" will tell you that's not true, a lot of people including myself who had early Bandits will tell you they are full of crap. On the lists I was on there was a common pattern for the clutch to start slipping within a couple thousand miles of switching to an auto synthetic. If you caught it right away and changed oil, like I did, sometimes the clutch would recover. If you didn't catch it soon enough, you needed major clutch work.

I doubt that a conventional 15w40 HDEO will cause a problem, but if it does, get it out right away.

Chevrons online data sheet still says you can use it where C4 is required.

 

[MULESKINNER]

Interesting. The Delo 15w40 weight oil I buy here in the USA lists the new C4 "Plus" rating on the bottle.

I have read that Delo is a great MC oil, as it has a very robust additive package for diesel engine use with great shear capacity for the trans gears. If you want to run a conventional oil I have heard from other MC riders Delo is a good one.

 

[OLDMANBJ]

Thanks guys for your input.

I should have said, that at the moment I am using a Shell product VSX4 M/C oil which like most M/C oils is rated API SG. Now this is an obsolete rating from about 12 years ago, and so the way I see it, I might as well use a HDEO which is also API SL rated, and get it for much less $. Even the Honda 919 handbook says to use an SG or better oil as long as its not "energy conserving". Its just a case of which one. I contacted Chevron again, and again was told the new formula is NOT Allison rated. However, I have found one which is CI-4 plus and SL, and contains no friction modifiers and that is Pennzoil Long Life 15-40. So I think I'll go with this.
Cheers, John

 

[KX 455]

I have used Delo 400 consistently in my MX motor shared sump with no slippage at all. Do a search I have talked about the Delo a few times on here. My # 1 oil for my bikes.

 

[OLDMANBJ]

KX 455
I've done the search and found your info very interesting. As I see it, I have two options, just use the new Delo, or try Pennzoil Long Life which is CI-4+, and SL rated, and definately is Allison rated. I actually contacted Pennzoil the other day, and they were the only company to give me a direct answer, that this oil will be fine for motorcycle wet clutches. I intend to change oil every 3000km ( about 1900 mls ) and do the filter every second time no matter which oil I choose. Cheers, John