Rotella T Syn. changed?

[Christopher Jefferson]

When i first tried Rotella Syn. 5w-40 over 1.5 years ago, it smelled just like Castrol's Syntec branded oils (at that time. excluding GC). We all know that odour im sure-theres really isnt any. Its a very clean like odour. Pleasant actually. anyways....

I used it yesterday in my dads 94 maxima (for the extended drain interval) and my 00' Golf 1.8T to compare to GC. Both will be 4K mile intervals for comparison. But when i smelled the Rotella T Syn. it smelled TOTALLY different than it used too!! It now smells like.....gulp... very strong and almost repugnant-like. Not sure what they did to change it. I dont think an change to XHVI/PAO mixture would cause that odour as they do not have a smell on their own. Rather the additives are what smell-right?

Any ideas as to what has caused such a drastic odour change? I hope they havent gotten EXTRA cheap and gone to a group II+ with very little or no XHVI base stock. I decided to try it because i thought it would be interesting to see if the XHVI base stock could compete in this engine against GC. I just drained the GC out at 4K miles and will send it off for sampling on Tuesday. I will drain out the Rotella Syn at 4K too and sample it as well. Im sure theres a better and more 'scientific' way to do this but oh well....

sorry for the rambling and I must get off here as my wife is getting irritated that im not spending time w/ her right now and am instead spending it with my "OIL FREAKS" (Yeah!!). So, let me knasijzzuhYU ahhh!!!!! nfg;l

Excuse me Gentleman, but my husband must go now as he has to be disciplined for disobeying my "NO OIL TODAY" directive. Thank you, The Wife

 

[Doug]

Trust me, I know the feeling! Does she do the really loud "SIGH"? I think our wives might be related....

Sorry, don't know much about Rotella Syn.

But, it sounds like you shouldn't check for responses today.

 

[DJ]

I can't add much to the discussion because I am on my first fill of Rotella, but I can sympothis my wife doesn't understand either.

 

[Jelly]

quote:

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Originally posted by Christopher Jefferson:
Sorry for the rambling and I must get off here as my wife is getting irritated that im not spending time w/ her right now and am instead spending it with my "OIL FREAKS" (Yeah!!). So, let me knasijzzuhYU ahhh!!!!! nfg;l

Excuse me Gentleman, but my husband must go now as he has to be disciplined for disobeying my "NO OIL TODAY" directive. Thank you, The Wife

---

That's the most funny thing I've ever heard on here!

Shell did have a problem a little while back (in '03) with a "bad batch" of Rotella 5w-40 having an unpleasent odor.

Did you purchase this very recently? Is it the new CI-4 stuff?

This from Shell:

"While we are aware that some customers reported that some Rotella T Synthetic SAE 5W-40 motor oil manufactured in early 2003 exhibited an off odor, there have been no performance issues with said product. The source of the off-odor was traced to the manufacturing process. The process was then changed to eliminate the objectionable odor in subsequent production.

Based on information we have in this case, the odor threshold is very low and the odor can be considered offensive to some people. There is a conversation thread on the forum, in fact, addressing this very issue as well as our willingness to replace any of the off-odor product should consumers have concerns about the odor. However, there is no risk of health effects from being exposed to these oils and no performance issues associated with this small batch of product from early 2003.

Shell will always stand behind the performance of their product in the applications they are intended for as part of our product guarantee. If anyone has a specific question regarding product performance in an application, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Shell produced a limited quantity of ROTELLA T Synthetic, a heavy-duty motor oil, with an "off" odor. This product continues to meet all current performance specifications and our Health, Safety, and Environment Department has determined there are no health risks from exposure to this oil.

Shell has not recalled any batches of ROTELLA T Synthetic engine oil.

An offensive odor will be noted when the cap is removed.

If you have containers of ROTELLA T Synthetic that have an unpleasant odor, and wish to replace it, Shell will reimburse you for the cost of the oil. The product should be disposed of as you would used oil, in compliance with proper disposal methods. If the off-odor product was installed in your engine, Shell will reimburse you for the direct cost of the oil and filter change.

Shell regrets any inconvenience this may have caused you. To receive a refund for product or payment for an oil change, please send the following to the address below:

1) The batch number printed on the bottom front or back of the container (starting with 3 letters).
2) A copy of your receipt for the oil purchase or oil change (if applicable).
3) Identification of the store where you made the purchase.
4) Your name, address, and telephone number.

Send to:

Shell Lubricants
Attn: Sally Clark - 29 Floor
P.O. Box 4427
Houston, TX 77210-4427

We appreciate your understanding in this matter and value your business greatly. If you have any other questions, contact us at 800-231-6950."

 

[Audi Junkie]

So basicly, find a smelly batch...and it's free!

 

[friendly_jacek]

quote:

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Originally posted by Christopher Jefferson:
my wife is getting irritated that im not spending time w/ her right now and am instead spending it with my "OIL FREAKS" (Yeah!!).

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At least you are posting 1PM and not 1AM!

BTW, i bet Jelly is right on this one...

 

[toyvwbenz]

quote:

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he has to be disciplined for disobeying my "NO OIL TODAY" directive.

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You lucky devil.

 

[jbas]

quote:

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Trust me, I know the feeling! Does she do the really loud "SIGH"? I think our wives might be related....

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It could be the SAME wife, Doug. That might explain why she's always "away on business" on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

 

[powerlifter405]

LMAO..................
I'll be the first to admit, my wife lets me get away with toooooo much cr@p and that's why i love her so much. But thats funny!

And yeah,
I spoke to rotella a long time ago about this. All is bueno, just a funny smell.