John and List...
Just my .02$ worth here...
I would recommend using a diesel grade oil in your mixed fleet rather than a
gasoline oil in everything.
the most important reason to me is sulfur. Modern diesel fuels do not have
near the amount of sulfur that they used to, but sulfur is still a component
in the fuel. I believe the current limit for diesel is .05% by weight.
(better not quote me on this.. I don't have all the data here at home.) In
the combustion process, S (sulfur) combines with H2 (molecular hydrogen) and
O2 (molecular oxygen) to form H2 SO4 (sulfuric acid). Diesel Oils are
designed to neutralize this acid by-product. An oils ability to do this is
measured by its TBN (total base number) which is an indication of its
alkalinity. For over-the-road trucks I recommend an oil with a TBN of about
10. Another item to look for is sulfated ash. Sulfated ash is a component
in diesel oils that acts somewhat as a detergent, helps keep everything
clean. 1.0% to 1.25% sulfated ash is about right. Granted, you don't need
a high TBN motor oil with sulfated ash in a gasoline engine, but, I would
rather have it in a gas burner and not need it then need it in a diesel and
not have it.
Considering the diesel oil in the gas burner.....
I think the main thing here is to find an oil of a viscosity you can live
with that meets the quality requirements. I wouldn't recommend using an SAE
15W-40 motor oil in a little car engine that specifies a 5W-30 or 10W-30.
However, if we're talking about a larger or older engine in a truck, you can
fudge a little. If you have engines that all specify something like SAE 30,
it will be easy to find a diesel oil that will work in both places. Find an
oil that meets the requirements of gasoline engines such as one that meets
API SG, or SH, or SJ. [ the "S" indicates gasoline engine oil and the
letter after the S indicates the quality level of the specification, the
higher the letter, the higher the quality.] [API diesel specifications work
roughly the same way but start with a "C"]
Now for the commercial plug...
Since I have been old enough to work we have sold the FINALUBE line of
lubricants. I have been impressed with their quality time and time again.
For example, some (there's more) of the requirements met by FINALUBE
Universal Plus Motor Oil SAE 15W-40 are: API CH-4, CG-4, CF-4, CF/SH, SJ.
Mack EO-M Plus, Mack EO-M, Mack EO-L Plus, Mack EO-L, Detroit Diesel,
Allison C-4, Series III, Caterpillar TO-2, Cummins CES 20071 and 20076, and
MIL-PRF-2104G, MIL-L-2104E. (10 TBN, 1.2% Sulfated ash) We sell many
viscosities of Universal Plus in many different containers, quarts, gallons,
5 gal pails, 55 gal drums. If anyone would like more info, let me know.
Chris Hass
52 GMC M135
E-mail Address(es):
cjhass@midusa.net
If you want to talk to a human, call me at Jones Oil Co. (620) 257-3191 and
just ask for chris..
(we're located in Lyons Kansas)
thanx for your time.
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