Oil Change for my '98 Cat 3126's

[DjDaoust]

Am I okay using Shell Rotella vs. Caterpillar brand oil?

 

[marty51]

Sure....as long as you use T1 30w or 40w. Walmart for around $13 gallon

 

[ttmott]

I've never seen single weight Rotella T1 at Walmart... At least not in this area.
I usually order three 5 gallon pails from Keller Heartt. They'll usually have a sale once a year and the price is irresistible. And delivered to your door. Right now $93/ 5 Gal free shipping.
https://www.kellerheartt.com/Shell-...c_feed&utm_campaign=comparison_shopping_feeds

 

[The Bill Collector]

I use DELO 30w in 5-gallon buckets.

 

[cwiert]

I've never seen single weight Rotella T1 at Walmart... At least not in this area.
I usually order two 5 gallon pails from Keller Heartt. They'll usually have a sale once a year and the price is irresistible. And delivered to your door. Right now $93/ 5 Gal free shipping.
https://www.kellerheartt.com/Shell-...c_feed&utm_campaign=comparison_shopping_feeds

This is exactly what I do.

 

[HUMPH]

I've never seen single weight Rotella T1 at Walmart... At least not in this area.
I usually order two 5 gallon pails from Keller Heartt. They'll usually have a sale once a year and the price is irresistible. And delivered to your door. Right now $93/ 5 Gal free shipping.
https://www.kellerheartt.com/Shell-...c_feed&utm_campaign=comparison_shopping_feeds

Do you like the 40W over the 30W for any particular reason?

 

[ttmott]

Do you like the 40W over the 30W for any particular reason?

Nah, I use 30W here in Fl. Link was an example.

 

[carterchapman]

I used 40 in TN as I had pan heaters, so even in winter my oil was at 95°. Easy starts all year.

 

[fwebster]

The table in Caterpillar's Fluid recommendations bulletin shows that both SAE 30 or 40 are acceptable. The difference depends upon the ambient temperatures you operate in. I am a bit further north than Tom but essentially at the same temperature level. I use SAE 40 just because I think the heavier oil is a better choice for the high summer temps we get in Florida, but both are acceptable


The Following is from Cat publication SEBU6251-13 which has been superseded a time or 2 but is still valid:

Generally, use the highest oil viscosity that is available to meet the requirement for the temperature at start-up.
Refer to the “Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures” tables for guidance. The oils that have the higher oil viscosity will maintain the highest possible oil film thickness.


Ambient Temperatures
MIN MAX
SAE 30 32 104

SAE 40 41 122

I am not likely to be doing much boating below 41˚F and we do see temperatures at or near 100˚ in the summer so it isn't much of a stretch to see than my engines are located where the ambient temperatures easily reach 120˚ or more in the summer. Therefore, I figure that SAE 40 is a better fit for me than SAE 30. Remember, we don't have a lay up period….our boats stay in the water and are used year round.

 

[DjDaoust]

Thanks for the great insight Frank! What is the difference with the Rotella T1 vs. the Rotella found at Walmart? I just used the Walmart Rotella on my WB genset oil change. 15-40.

 

[Blkbird]

I recall reading in the Westerbeke manual that 30W should be the highest weight oil.

 

[ttmott]

I recall reading in the Westerbeke manual that 30W should be the highest weight oil.

Westerbeke recommends for their diesel models - A.P.I. code CF or CG-4, S.A.E. #30, 15W-40, 10W-30 or 5W-40.
My generator oil is changed same time as the boat's engines (at least) so I use 30W which is ok for engines and the generator; job done... Three 5 gallon pails of Rotella 30W does both engines and the generator.
http://www.westerbeke.com/faq-maintenance.htm

 

[fwebster]

Thanks for the great insight Frank! What is the difference with the Rotella T1 vs. the Rotella found at Walmart? I just used the Walmart Rotella on my WB genset oil change. 15-40.

I almost missed the question in the middle…………

Rotella T1 is single viscosity oil (SAE 30 or SAE 40)which is ok for use in Caterpillar 3116/3126 engines.

Rotella T4 ("Walmart Rotella") is multi-viscosity oil (15W40) is is NOT ok for Cat 3116/3126's. This is the type of oil that causes deposits to form in and foul the after coolers when the viscosity enhancers in the oil (the component in the additive package that allows multi viscosity oil to change from 15 wt. to 40 wt. as temperatures increase) leave deposits in the recirculated crankcase fumes.

 

[DjDaoust]

Thanks as always Mr. Webster! What about T4 15W40 in my Westerbeke?

 

[fwebster]

Tom posted the Westerbeke oil requirements and a link to their website in post #12. The 8.0BTD is a noisy little devil…..diesel knock, valve lash, exhaust noise, etc. I find that the generator is a bit quieter with SAE 30, which is the recommendation our Westerbeke dealer has for this area.