I don't think we've had enough oil threads yet...

[pete]

So I decided to start another one... this one aimed squarely at us Aussies who don't have access to Shell Rotella.

I know Suzuki_Don has done some looking into this, but Shell have just changed their products and it looks like there's a Castrol product in the mix now too.

So, instead of using my $50 bottle of Shell Advance SX4 for the 15 minute first start, I really would like to get a suitable diesel oil in there for that.

I see three choices all around $30 for 5 litres:

Castrol GTX Diesel 15w40
Shell Rimula R3 X 15w40
Shell Helix Diesel HX5 15w40

Castrol GTX Diesel 15w40 is the cheapest of the three:

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Castrol GTX Diesel is a low ash, SAE 15W-40 multi-grade, diesel engine oil specially formulated for
all 4-stroke diesel engines, particularly 4WD and light commercial vehicles. Castrol GTX Diesel
extends diesel engine life in cars and light commercial vehicles, providing extra protection against
diesel engine problems, like soot and harsh deposits that your engine faces everyday.
Castrol GTX Diesel provides exceptional oil consumption control and engine protection wear
benefits. Castrol GTX Diesel meets API CH-4/SJ. It is suitable for cars and light commercial
vehicles that specify API CD, CF, CF-4 or CH-4. It is not recommended for vehicles fitted with
Diesel Particulate Filters or petrol engines with catalytic converters. Castrol GTX Diesel provides
added protection against soot build-up, to help prevent excessive oil thickening and soot related
wear.

Shell Rimula R3 X is the middle price:

Shell Rimula R3 X
Multi-grade heavy duty diesel engine oils
With a wide array of engine maker approvals, it is suitable for virtually all
heavy duty engines, non-turbocharged and turbo-charged-alike, in on- and
off-highway service.
Performance Features
Unique formulation
• Shell Rimula R3 X uses exclusive
formulations that have been proven in real
world service to ensure the efficiency and
life of your engine.
Engine cleanliness
• High thermal stability provides a high
standard of protection against piston
deposits which, together with high
performance dispersants, delivers
excellent control of sludge and deposits in
the engine.
Low engine wear
• The combination of active anti-wear
additives and good engine cleanliness
control engine wear gives long engine life,
maintains engine power and efficiency
and helps to lower servicing costs.
High temperature protection
• Shell Rimula R3 X has been demonstrated
to resist thermal breakdown ensuring
continued protection throughout the drain
interval, even under severe conditions
found in modern engines.
Applications
With its wide range of on-highway
truck maker approvals, Shell Rimula
R3 X is particularly suitable for use in
Japanese heavy duty bus, coach and
truck applications, including modern
turbocharged engines.
Shell Rimula R3 X has been proven in
rugged off-highway applications ranging
from remote mining and quarrying
operations to use in a wide range of
agricultural machinery.
Specifications, Approvals
and Recommendations
API: CH-4, CG-4, CF-4, CF
ACEA: E5, E3
JASO: DH-1
Cummins: CES 20071, 76, 75, 72, 71
IVECO T2 E5 (1): Meets specification
MACK: E0-M, EO-M+
MAN: M3275
MB approval: 228.3
MTU: Category 2
Renault Trucks: RD-2
Volvo: VDS-2
Allison C-4: Meets requirements

And Shell Helix HX5 is the dearest:

Shell Helix Diesel HX5
15W-40 Premium multi-grade motor oil.
Cleans and protects for reduced engine noise and vibration.
Shell Helix Diesel HX5 has been formulated with cleansing technology.
It uses special active cleansing technology to help engines operate effectively
for a smoother and quieter drive.
Performance Features
Formulated with cleansing technology
• Works harder to protect than ordinary
motor oils by continuously helping to
prevent soot deposits from building
up on engine surfaces.
Good oxidation stability
• Resists oil degradation throughout
the oil drain interval.
High quality base oils
• Helps reduce the oil volatility and
therefore the oil consumption.
Minimises vibration and engine noise
• Smoother, quieter drive.
Application
Diesel engines
• Suitable for naturally aspirated or turbocharged
indirect injection diesel engines.
These engines produce more power than
older engines and therefore run hotter.
Hotter engines can produce more dirt
and sludge.

Specifications, Approvals
and Recommendations
Shell Helix Diesel HX5 is suitable for use where
the following specifications are called for:
API Service Classification CF
ILSAC A2/B2

None of them make any mention of friction reducing additives and I'm leaning towards the Rimula at the moment.

Let's hear the opinions roll on in...

[Nessism]

Hey Don,

See if they have material data sheets available for those Shell products (Castrol does.. http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp...GTX_Diesel.pdf) and then look at how much Zinc and Phosphorous are in the oil. That Diesel GTX has .13% zinc and .11% phosphorus which is decent - similar to US market Rotella (actually, it's slightly higher). You can't go wrong.

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Personally, I'd go with the cheapest and change it religiously every 2000 miles. Any of the diesel engine oils are better than automotive oils and much cheaper than motorcycle-specific oils.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[pete]

Hey Don,

See if they have material data sheets available for those Shell products (Castrol does.. http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp...GTX_Diesel.pdf) and then look at how much Zinc and Phosphorous are in the oil. That Diesel GTX has .13% zinc and .11% phosphorus which is decent - similar to US market Rotella (actually, it's slightly higher). You can't go wrong.

Errr it's Pete Ed... close though, same country at least if you're thinking of Suzuki_Don And no I don't take offense

This is the only product data I could find for the Shell stuff which is a 4MB PDF and not as detailed as the castrol:

http://www-static.shell.com/static/aus/downloads/product_data_guide/product_data_guide_complete.pdf

Unfortunately most of that stuff is just gobble-d-gook to me.

Hi,

Personally, I'd go with the cheapest and change it religiously every 2000 miles. Any of the diesel engine oils are better than automotive oils and much cheaper than motorcycle-specific oils.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

Sounds like a sensible idea there BassCliff!

I used to do mine every 5000km's, but if I shorten that to 3000km's then I should get almost two oil changes out of one 5 litre bottle of the Castrol, which means about $16 for an oil change. Much better!

I can do a comparison too.

I can do the 15 minute run in with one lot of the Castrol or whatever, then the first change I can put the Shell Advance SX4 in.

Then at the first 3000km change I can go back to the Castrol or whatever and compare.

If I remember, I can also come back to this thread and let everyone know if there were any significant differences.

[Nessism]

Errr it's Pete Ed... close though, same country at least if you're thinking of Suzuki_Don And no I don't take offense

Sorry PETE! Please forgive.

I'd go for the GTX since it's cheap and has enough of those good high pressure additives to do the job. Save your money for more important things like beer.

[SqDancerLynn1]

One of the specs for Castrol oil is SJ which is the specs for our bikes

[bonanzadave]

Im running Mystik in my truck. Probably gonna try it in the Boat and then the Bike. It was only $2.30 / qt at the Fleet/Farm store.

http://www.mystiklubricants.com/do/Welcome

http://www.mystiklubricants.com/do/product/HEAVY_DUTY/663002002

[bigbill808]

i run mobile1 15/40 diesel and i will never use any other!!! Case closed

[pete]

Thanks for all the replies guys (and gal)!

Ed, I take no offense, I have been called many worse names, and being mistaken for Suzuki_Don? Man that ain't an insult at all! If only I had his GS... haha

I'll go for the Castrol GTX and will do a comparison in a couple of changes with the Shell Advance SX4.

Oh, and SqDancerLynn1, I missed the SJ in there, so well spotted

Most of that info just makes my eyes glaze over...

[Nessism]

Thanks for all the replies guys (and gal)!

Ed, I take no offense, I have been called many worse names, and being mistaken for Suzuki_Don? Man that ain't an insult at all! If only I had his GS... haha

I'll go for the Castrol GTX and will do a comparison in a couple of changes with the Shell Advance SX4.

Oh, and SqDancerLynn1, I missed the SJ in there, so well spotted

Most of that info just makes my eyes glaze over...

Hi Pete,

Was just reading over at Bob is the Oil guy and Shell offers a lot of variants of Rimula in various places in the world. Somewhat confusing to be sure. Regardless, that GTX diesel oil will be fine based on the zinc and phosphorus numbers published. Can's say I agree with your choice to use that Shell Advance SX4, but this is mostly a value argument, not a quality matter.

Good luck and hope that engine is up and running soon.

[pete]

Hi Pete,

Was just reading over at Bob is the Oil guy and Shell offers a lot of variants of Rimula in various places in the world. Somewhat confusing to be sure. Regardless, that GTX diesel oil will be fine based on the zinc and phosphorus numbers published. Can's say I agree with your choice to use that Shell Advance SX4, but this is mostly a value argument, not a quality matter.

Good luck and hope that engine is up and running soon.

Cheers Ed, and yes, there are lots of different Rimula variations, I just found the particular one that was available to me here. Shell's range is somewhat confusing.

As to the SX4, the only reason is that I have a bottle which I purchase a few months ago before looking into what oil everyone uses in their GS'. The SX4 is what I used to run in it, so it was habit to buy it. And no, it wasn't cheap!

Hopefully I'll be getting a loan of a scope tomorrow or early next week and I can see what my signal generator is doing so I can finally get some spark...