Shell Rotella w/ Triple Protection

[Guest]

Been noticing some clutch slippage this year, and this seems to coincide with Shell Rotella adding "Triple Protection" to their 15w-40 I use. I'm not discounting that perhaps I need new springs, and have no problem doing that as simply preventative maintenance, but want to make sure I know what the actual problem is.

Is this "Triple Protection" the energy saving crap that can mess with our clutches? Or perhaps my clutch isn't adjusted correctly?

I'm leaving for a trip down to Philly and then over to Long Island on the 2nd or 3rd, so want to take care of this ASAP.

Help?

Thanks,
/Mike

[Zook]

Does it have the "Energy Conserving" star on the label? If not, then it isn't.

Some oils don't like wet clutches, that's all.

Switch back to dino and see if it still slips.

[UncleMike]

Does it have the "Energy Conserving" star on the label? If not, then it isn't.

Some oils don't like wet clutches, that's all.

Switch back to dino and see if it still slips.

Will do. Thanks.

Meanwhile, how much should new springs run me, just in case? And do you think it's possible to order them, receive them, and install them before August 2nd?

[Joe Nardy]

Mike,

Do a Google search for 'Shell Rotella Triple Protection' and you'll get some hits of others experiencing clutch slippage with this oil. Of course, each thread sparks a heated oil debate.......................

Thanks,
Joe

[UncleMike]

Mike,

Do a Google search for 'Shell Rotella Triple Protection' and you'll get some hits of others experiencing clutch slippage with this oil. Of course, each thread sparks a heated oil debate.......................

Thanks,
Joe

Hahahaha! Lovely.

So...I should probably start another thread asking what oil everyone else suggests, right?*

[Nessism]

Rotella 15W-40 is dino oil. Very good stuff. I doubt the problem with the clutch slipping is oil related. Energy Conserving oils are only on thin automotive oils - 30 weight and thinner.

The "Triple Protection" business is marking mumbo jumbo regarding the new formula bought out as a result of new emissions requirements for the 2007 model year diesel engines. New formula is reputed to have lesser amounts of zinc (which helps protect the valve train), but Shell increased some other additives to offset this loss. Overall, still a good oil choice for a GS...but not as good as the Rotella 5W-40 synthetic.

[Dan Ruddock]

Moly is the prime no no for clutches. Does the new rotella have it? I know the old stuff did not. Best way to know is contact shell or go to bob is the oil guy site and find a spec sheet. Just a energy conserving label is not enough because delo has moly in it and it is a 15-40 diesel oil with no energy label. Moly is great for car engines. Dan

[salty_monk]

I have been using the same oil (switched from GTX 10-40w) with good results in both my GS's. No clutch slippage.

I run 3 original stock springs & 3 EBC springs from Z1 (they cost about $8 a set from memory). The EBC's have 2 less coils than the stock on the G & 1 less coil than the stock on the Skunk.

It's not a synthetic & it doesn't have the energy conserving stuff... it is a good heavy duty oil however, great for high heat & heavy usage application like ours & being a 15-40w it doesn't break down as quickly as a 10-40w.

I ran GTX in my G last year to the rally - 1800 miles the same as this year on fresh oil. This year I ran the Rotella, same bike (running pods & a V&H 4:1 this year being only real changes), it was slightly less hot out there this year too.

Last year with GTX it really needed an oil change when I got back, shift was getting pretty ropey, this year they don't feel much different to when we started out on the fresh Rotella.

When I changed to the Rotella from GTX the shift improved slightly too.

Anyway, long answer to a short question... it's your clutch spring or glazed plates. Cheap & easy fix, chuck it on the side stand & switch three of them out, don't even need to drain the oil.

Dan

[82Shafty]

From my personal experience, I ran the Rotella 5-40 only to find out my springs were weak, so new OEM Suzi springs, scuffed steels with 220 even added a washer.... this year, the bugger started slipping, so rescuffed and put in new fibers....OOOOOOOOOOOOH YEEEAAAAH, much better. NO SLIP.

Fibers get old; they harden and glaze.

SOHC4 guys run rotella 15-40 all day and don't have any problems with their wet clutches.

[UncleMike]

New springs on order, and oil will be changed.

[Bill Lloyd]

Oil and moly

All I know about moly is that it became somewhat fashionable back in the '80s and, with the blessing of my local Suzuki dealer up in Madison, I started using it. I never had a problem with the clutch. !!!

-- Bill