Oils ain't oils - or are they?

Thanks for the helpful response. I asked a simple question and got a simple(tons) answer.

Bilbo, an interesting answer. I used Rimula for years. I found it good stuff...but...
Occasionally I miss an oil change due to time constraints etc. So my question is, what would be a good perhaps longer life oil ?

FL,

I'm afraid that, as far as I'm concerned, there isn't an easy answer. I was diesel mech as a younger man, and I've seen some 'orrible jelly like stuff come from diesel engine sumps where the oil wasn't changed regularly. I had one truck where the oil wouldn't come out of the sump plug!!!

We pulled the sump off and there was a solid cake of jelly with just a very small, but deep, pool of usable oil. It was like gorilla snot.

My recommendation for diesel engines is - DON't MISS AN OIL CHANGE.

However, that ruling is based on "older tech" motors. There are diesel engines around these days that do 20,000 kms between oil changes. Personally, I'd still change the oil every 5,000 kms anyway. I don't trust 'em - seen too many stuff ups.

I suppose these days it depends on what engine you're driving. My Chevissan is 'old tech' so I change it religiously at 5,000 kms. As I did with old 4.2 Nissan donk. My former 100 series TD 'Cruiser was specified as "change oil every 10,000 kms, unless severe conditions, then every 5,000 kms". Now, the TD Cruiser engine is pretty high tech but they still recommend 5,000 kms for severe duty.

I use Caltex Dello Gold in the Chevissan.

These days that are that many 'different' oils on the market. I'd speak with the oil companies before choosing.

Sorry - best I can do.

Bilbo

You hit the nail on the head bilbo,
one earthmoving company i worked for used rimula x on just about everything BUT i noticed that a lot of the trucks & machines started using oil after only 200 hrs instead of the regular 250hrs.
I brought this up with the owner & we changed to valvoline oil 15/40 .The outcome was most vehicles & machines stopped using oil in between service intervals.
I too find that rimula x is a sound oil but do not go over service interval of 5000klm regardless what eng manufactures say. Excellent flushing oil though ....666toy

Spot on guys.. Engines just love new fresh oil, change mine every 5000km, oil is cheap considering its the life line of your engine..