Shell Rotella formulation change - Cat 3116

k9medic

Active Member
Mar 27, 2013
597
Florida
Boat Info
1998 420 Aft Cabin
Engines
twin 3116 CATs
I just read that the Shell Rotella T SAE30 that we have all come to run in our 3116's has changed formulations.

Does anybody have input on this change?
 
I don't. But many oils have/are reducing their Zinc content to better fit with pollution controls. Zinc additives are what reduces wear on cam lobes. I could see a reduction in Zinc on annual oil samples a few years ago on One Sweet Day - The PO (the late Dominic) and I had annual records of samples for the past 10 years...
 
I was looking at oil for my upcoming change. The Rotella is about $100/5gal bucket delivered, or about $5 a qt. I was talking to my local CAT dealer and the CAT oil is about $120/5 gal bucket. It’s not a huge difference.

However, I wonder if the CAT oil is undergoing the same reformulation.

Should I buck up und just use the CAT oil?
 
We haven’t all come to run Rotella in our CAT’s. I always ran the CAT SAEO in mine, and the new owner (who keeps my old 410 in the dock next me) continues to run CAT oil. CAT has their proprietary blend that they stand behind specifically for 3116 and 3126 engines, so that in and of itself has always been the decision maker for me. It was never worth the minor difference in price to me to go off label “just because everyone else does.”
 
You only mention "Rotella". Keep in mind that you should not use Rotella 15W 40 or any other multiviscosity oil in Cat 3100 series engines. YOU should only use Rotella T-1 SAE 30 or 40.

You need to shop locally for the Rotella. TSC now stocks SAE 40 for $14.99/gal.....but the store probably only has 2 gal in stock- you may have to order it into your local store. Keller Heartt usually has Rotella on sale in the winter delivered for about $70 with free shipping.

I follow Cat's fluid recommendation for commercial oils which specifies SAE 40 for my location. I have used Rotella T-1 for 20 years in my 3116's and just had my aftercoolers cleaned. There were no substantial deposits in the air side of the aftercoolers, but we cleaned them anyway. All this says is that SAEO is a very good oil, but Rotella T-1 doesn't cause aftercooler fouling, so why spend more for a special oil?
 
You only mention "Rotella". Keep in mind that you should not use Rotella 15W 40 or any other multiviscosity oil in Cat 3100 series engines. YOU should only use Rotella T-1 SAE 30 or 40.

You need to shop locally for the Rotella. TSC now stocks SAE 40 for $14.99/gal.....but the store probably only has 2 gal in stock- you may have to order it into your local store. Keller Heartt usually has Rotella on sale in the winter delivered for about $70 with free shipping.

I follow Cat's fluid recommendation for commercial oils which specifies SAE 40 for my location. I have used Rotella T-1 for 20 years in my 3116's and just had my aftercoolers cleaned. There were no substantial deposits in the air side of the aftercoolers, but we cleaned them anyway. All this says is that SAEO is a very good oil, but Rotella T-1 doesn't cause aftercooler fouling, so why spend more for a special oil?

Frank - I just changed oil in the Cummins (15W-30) and ordered online from TSC with local pickup for $82/5 Gal. Quite a bit less than our ole reliable Keller-Heartt.
If we are splitting hairs on Rotella T1 vs SAEO all else in the world must be peachy-king.
Tom
 
Frank. I referenced sae30.
I guess I sould be more precise..........I was referencing the previous post, i.e post #3 at the time I was typing. Post number #4 was entered a bit before my post #5 which you questioned.

Rotella 15W40 is cheaper than SAE 30/40 and I just wanted the author of post #3 to realize there is a difference in the oil formulations and that using an oil with viscosity enhancers isn't recommended and will foul aftercoolers.
 
Gotcha Frank. Thank you.

Do you have any thoughts on the formulation change?

I can get the new formulation SAE 30 for $15 a gallon.
 
Is this not the right oil?

I'm thinking the CAT oil is the way to go
Screenshot_20180501-185208.png
 
This is the oil - Rotella 550045380 T1 30 Cf/CF-2 Motor Oil, 1 Gallon

81csN47YNBL._SL1500_.jpg
 
I ordered the Rotella SAE 30 from Walmart online last fall for 13.99 a gallon and did in store pick up.
I used the Reverso to take out the old oil but wanted to pour the new clean oil in by hand so the gallon jugs were easier to deal with.
For those worried about the reduction of Zinc you can add it back in with this product.
https://www.amazon.com/Zddp-Maxx-Oil-Additive/dp/B003MS6QHS

STP has it in it too.

I put it in my 68 GTO, my Corvette, and both of my kids cars every time I change the oil. I add it in the 3.0 in the kids boat and used to put it in the 5.7’s in my old boat too.
My wife and I drive lease cars daily so I don’t bother with those two. Heck, the bank is lucky I keep up with the oil changes......I’ll be a lot of leasers don’t.......
 
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