Sinclair 15w-40

[Deereman]

I can get some LE HD SAE 15w40 Sinclair oil for $8.00 per gallon. My only concern is that the TBN is only 8.2. Will this hold up for 6000 miles under normal driving and no towing.

Truck is a 2002 Duramax with 225651 miles on it.

I have used:
Mobil delvac 1300 15w40 (truck runs good on this oil)
Valvoline PB 15w40(engine runs louder like valve train noise on this oil)
Castrol Hypuron syn. blend 15w40( engine runs really good on this oil but hard to find.

For the money is it worth trying?

 

[Ken2]

This oil?
http://sinclairoil.com/pdfs/pds/heavy_duty_le_cj4_engine_oil_15w-40.pdf

It should be fine. The important factor is not how high the TBN starts, but how long it stays up. Newer detergent additives hold the TBN up longer, plus the ultra low sulfur fuel builds less acid that doesn't knock the TBN down as much.

15W-40 in a Minnesota winter? I'd use something lighter.

 

[Lead Shoes]

Use 5w40 unless you have her plugged in all the time, these sub 20 degree temps are not good for 15w40..

 

[dnewton3]

That's a great buy on some good oil.

There are a few things to consider before I say "yes" or "no" to your question of "is it worth trying".

1) How cold does it get as an average low in your area? You can find out via weather.com ....
2) GM recommends 15w40 as the "normal" fluid down to zero deg F for the Dmax. That does not mean it cannot be used at temps below zero, but it's not optimum.
3) The Dmax is notoriously easy on oil and has low wear, regardless of what properly spec'd oil is used.
4) How many OCIs do you do in the Dmax each year? If only 1, you might want to use a fluid that is the best compromise for all year. But if you do 2 or more OCIs per year, you could use a lighter grade for winter and the Sinclair 15w40 for summer. Note - Dmax's typically can go 7-10k miles on an OCI, as a generalization.
5) The TBN really isn't an issue any more, because the low sulphur content in fuel and oil and additives means there is precious little acids being produced. I have yet to see a used oil analysis show a TBN issue when ULSD fuel is used for "normal" OCI durations.


So, you see, it's not an easy question to answer until you better define some of the condtions that surround your scenario.



WELCOME TO THE SITE, BTW!

 

[m37charlie]

Originally Posted By: dnewton3
5) The TBN really isn't an issue any more, because the low sulphur content in fuel and oil and additives means there is precious little acids being produced. I have yet to see a used oil analysis show a TBN issue when ULSD fuel is used for "normal" OCI durations.


What about my BMW X5 35d OCIs, done at 10k mi as prescribed by IDrive, used dealer Castrol SLX Professional OE 5W30? Analysis by Detroit Diesel TWICE got big alarms for TBN 1.5 and high Fe/AL #s(93/84 for Fe; 33/27 for Al); the one time they did TAN it was 4.83.
I can only theorize that because it is likely a "high EGR" engine, the oil got overloaded with nitric acid from NOx production.
Which is why I am now using Delvac 1 LE 5W30, with TBN 12.6 instead of 6.4. I will change and analyze at 13-14K miles just to really stress it a bit.

Charlie

 

[Deereman]

Thanks for the information. I will buy the oil then. My next oil change is in about 500 miles - I will drop down to the Valvoline PB 5w-40 this winter and use the Sinclair next summer

 

[dnewton3]

Originally Posted By: m37charlie
Originally Posted By: dnewton3
5) The TBN really isn't an issue any more, because the low sulphur content in fuel and oil and additives means there is precious little acids being produced. I have yet to see a used oil analysis show a TBN issue when ULSD fuel is used for "normal" OCI durations.


What about my BMW X5 35d OCIs, done at 10k mi as prescribed by IDrive, used dealer Castrol SLX Professional OE 5W30? Analysis by Detroit Diesel TWICE got big alarms for TBN 1.5 and high Fe/AL #s(93/84 for Fe; 33/27 for Al); the one time they did TAN it was 4.83.
I can only theorize that because it is likely a "high EGR" engine, the oil got overloaded with nitric acid from NOx production.
Which is why I am now using Delvac 1 LE 5W30, with TBN 12.6 instead of 6.4. I will change and analyze at 13-14K miles just to really stress it a bit.

Charlie


Your observations are valid for your situation; I'm not in a position to disagree with you on your own operations. From what I've read, you're very diligent about your maintenance program.

But your BMW and MB experience has nothing to do with a 2002 LB7 Dmax. There is no EGR on that engine, as best I understand. Of all the Dmax used oil analysis I've seen (and I've seen a LOT of them) I've never seen TBN be an issue in a "normal" OEM duration OCI with ULSD when using a traditional HDEO.

The OP asked if he should try Sinclair. For $8/gallon, I sure would. If he fears the TBN issue, then he can get a used oil analysis to see how it's holding up. Remember, he's only intending to do 6k mile OCIs of "normal driving" with no heavy work. He's probably going to underutilize the oil, but for that price, he can afford to.

Heck for $8/gallon, I'd be willing to be the guinea pig!

 

[m37charlie]

dnewton3, you are probably correct. However, in this age of high EGR, it is important to remember that nitrogen oxides also are formers of strong acids that use up TBN. I fully expect to see a lot of TBN left in my 30 qt Unimog sump after 23000 miles with EGR blocked off and starting TBN plus top-ups averaging 15-16.

Charlie

 

[chevrofreak]

Sinclair oil is made by WPP, who makes Super Tech, which is known to be a good oil. Use with confidence.