Is this engine oil ok to use?

[Suzuki_Don]

Cycle oil is "special" because it has additives that have been mandated out of service for cars. We need those additives (notably zinc) because the oil in our engines also lubes the transmission. The action of the gears in the transmission is not found in auto engines, so they get by without the zinc, that tends to foul the catalytic convertors that our bikes do not have. Diesel oils still have more zinc than car oils, but a little less than cycle oils. They also have some good detergents in there to keep all the gunk in suspension for the long oil change intervals found in diesel engines, and that's helpful in our bikes, too. Overall, it's a decent compromise.

.

What Zinc and Phosphorus levels should I be looking for in a diesel or synthetic oil to use in my motor. I am currently running it in on dino motor cycle oil from my dealer. What zinc and phosphorus levels are typical in car oils and what should the diesel oil have in it? How much more?

Thanks.

BTW we don't get Rotella in OZ, this is the reason I have to do my own research.

 

[7981GS]

You guys/gals in Oz actually have several great ones to choose from!
(Download of Shell products in Australia, is below.)

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

The Helix Diesel HX5 is closest to the Rotella offered in the States (Page C10)
Of the other ones that are available there the one on page C11 would be great for use in Death Valley, here! LOL.
Also look at pages C18-C23.
Probably your very best choice, would be the one on page C21.

Daniel

 

[Nessism]

What Zinc and Phosphorus levels should I be looking for in a diesel or synthetic oil to use in my motor. I am currently running it in on dino motor cycle oil from my dealer. What zinc and phosphorus levels are typical in car oils and what should the diesel oil have in it? How much more?

Thanks.

BTW we don't get Rotella in OZ, this is the reason I have to do my own research.

Dino car oils in the US have about 800 ppm zinc/phosphorus and diesel juice is about 1200. Motorcycle oil is similar to diesel, but often times less. In the UK Castrol GTX auto oil has about 1200 so apparently it's market specific.

 

[Steve]

The Walmart near me also has a 2.5 gallon jug of the 15w-40 for around $25.

Good to know, but my statement still stands: "I have only seen ..."

Not sure that I would bother with the 2.5 gallon jug, though. :-k
Yeah, I would certainly use it easily enough, but virtually everything I have takes either a quart or a gallon.

Getting a larger bulk container means I might have to actually measure the oil I wanted to use.

.

 

[tkent02]

Getting a larger bulk container means I might have to actually measure the oil I wanted to use.

.

What do you mean, doesn't that Golden Wang have the Automatic Oil Filler Pump with Auto Shut Off? It should be right there between the Air Compressor and the Microwave, next to the Coffeemaker.
Or did you get the "Stripper" model?

 

[Suzuki_Don]

You guys/gals in Oz actually have several great ones to choose from!

The Helix Diesel HX5 is closest to the Rotella offered in the States (Page C10)

The thing is though that the HX5 is not synthetic. For those of you that use the diesel oil in your motors, is it synthetic or mineral oil.

Thanks.

 

[Nessism]

The thing is though that the HX5 is not synthetic. For those of you that use the diesel oil in your motors, is it synthetic or mineral oil.

Thanks.

Diesel oil comes in various grades. Synthetic is good stuff and will hold up to high temps better than mineral oil plus it will last longer before breaking down. Good stuff but not strictly necessary unless you ride in high heat regularly.

 

[7981GS]

Neither of these appeals to you?


Shell advance Ultra 4
Fully synthetic motorcycle 4-stroke engine oil

Shell Advance Ultra 4 is a unique, fully synthetic lubricant for Shell’s ultimate engine protection and superior clutch and gearbox operation for high performance 4-stroke motorcycles. The technology has been proven in race and endorsed by leading motorcycle manufacturers.
Performance Features Shell’s ultimate protection • Exceptional protection in the hardest
driving conditions due to the unique formulation based on synthetic base oils and components specifically tested for motorcycles, in order to help prolong engine life and maintain its original performance level.
Ultra smooth clutch and superior gearbox operation • Free-flowing, “jerk-free” gear changes
appreciated by the discerning motorcyclist.
Shell’s ultimate performance even in racing application • The low friction technology used promotes
quick engine response and increases the power output and it has been proven in racing environment. For bikers especially interested in the highest power output the 10W-40 viscosity grade version is suggested.
All year and weather condition
• The formulation allows the use of the same product all over the year and in all typical weather conditions. The product is anyway available in two different viscosity grades so that the biker can select the most suitable to their driving habits and conditions.
Typical Physical Characteristics
Applications
• High-performance air and water-cooled 4-stroke motorcycle engines, including race-tuned and the ones with gearboxes and wet clutches.
• Motorcycle gearboxes that must be lubricated by engine oils, including some gearboxes present in 2-stroke bikes and scooters.
Specifications, Approvals and Recommendations Shell Advance Ultra 4 is available in two different viscosity grades:
SAE J 300 10W-40.
Both the formulations exceed the following international specification:
API SG JASO MA and are endorsed by Ducati and KTM.
Shell Advance Ultra 4 exceeds the requirements of all Japanese and European motorcycle manufacturers.

Shell Advance Ultra 4:
10W-40
Kinematic Viscosity @ 40?C cSt @ 100?C cSt
98.6 15.8
Viscosity Index
172
Density @ 15?C kg/m3
858
Flash Point ?C
230
Pour Point ?C
–36
These characteristics are typical of current production. Whilst future production will conform to Shell’s specification, variations in these characteristics may occur.
C.20


Shell advance VSX 4
Synthetic based motorcycle 4-stroke engine oil

Shell Advance VSX 4 is a synthetic based lubricant specifically developed for 4-stroke motorcycles, offering excellent engine protection and superior clutch and gearbox operation.
Performance Features Excellent protection • Balanced formulation blended specifically
for motorcycles. It is designed to prolong the engine life and maintain the original performance level throughout the life of the engine.
Superior smooth clutch and gearbox operation
• Free-flowing, “jerk-free” gear changes appreciated by the discerning motorcyclist.
Low oil consumption
• The carefully balanced formulation of additives and base oil produces a product with naturally low consumption properties.
All year and weather condition
• The formulation allows the use of the same product all over the year and in all typical weather conditions.
Applications
• High-performance air and water-cooled 4-stroke motorcycle engines, including race-tuned and those with gearboxes and wet clutches.
• Motorcycle gearboxes that must be lubricated by engine oils, including some gearboxes present in 2-stroke bikes and scooters.
Specifications, Approvals and Recommendations The product exceeds the following international specification:
SAE J 300 10W-40 15W-50
API SG JASO MA
Shell Advance VSX 4 exceeds the requirements of all Japanese and European motorcycle manufacturers.

Typical Physical Characteristics
Shell Advance VSX 4:
10W-40
15W-50
Kinematic Viscosity @ 40?C cSt @ 100?C cSt
94.2 14.46
14.2 19.5
Viscosity Index
159
157
Density @ 15?C kg/m3
871
870
Flash Point ?C
228
218
Pour Point ?C
–33
–27
These characteristics are typical of current production. Whilst future production will conform to Shell’s specification, variations in these characteristics may occur.
C.21


I WISH that they were available here!

Compare those specifications to OUR Rotella's:

Daniel

 

[Suzuki_Don]

Diesel oil comes in various grades. Synthetic is good stuff and will hold up to high temps better than mineral oil plus it will last longer before breaking down. Good stuff but not strictly necessary unless you ride in high heat regularly.

Ed, is the diesel oil you use in your bike synthetic?

 

[Nessism]

Ed, is the diesel oil you use in your bike synthetic?

Hi Don,
I prefer synthetic but also use dino sauce, particularly after doing engine work since it's good to do a short run oil change to get all the debris out of the engine.

 

[Steve]

What do you mean, doesn't that Golden Wang have the Automatic Oil Filler Pump with Auto Shut Off? It should be right there between the Air Compressor and the Microwave, next to the Coffeemaker.
Or did you get the "Stripper" model?

I must have gotten the "stripper" model.

Here, all this time I have thought that the "SE" badge stood for "Special Edition", evidently it stands for "Stripper Edition".

As far as auto oil filler pump, my previous van, a Toyota Previa, had one, it worked great.

The Wing, however, doesn't even have a sight glass to check the oil.
Nossir, it has a dipstick, and you have to remove two pieces of Tupperware to get to get to it.

Fortunately, though, it does not use any oil and there is need to add or even check it between oil changes.
(And those oil changes are a LOT farther apart than most of you GSers are willing to do.)

.

 

[fatkid89704]

oil

oil

why not just use valvoline motorcycle oil? its basically the same price as regular oil and it comes in 10w40 and 20w50. you can get it at almost any auto parts store like o'reilly or autzone.

 

[dave 57]

Your quickest assurance of suitability is to look at the API "donut" on the rear panel. I believe the top of the outer ring shows the viscosity. The center shows the grade. The bottom of the outer ring might show "Energy Conserving". If it does, DO NOT USE THAT OIL. I have not yet seen a 40w oil with that designation, but that does not mean that they don't exist.

As mentioned previously, unless you want to go to a bike shop and pay exhorbitant prices for "special motorcycle oil", your best bet is to get diesel oil. Go to your favorite auto parts store, look for Shell Rotella oil. There is a white jug of "regular" oil that is 15w-40, the gallon size is about $12. There is also a blue jug of "synthetic" oil that is 5w-40 for about $20. Either of them will work very nicely.

If your bottles of Valvoline Max Life do not have the "Energy Conserving" designation on the back, go ahead and use them for now, then switch to Rotella for the next change.

.

does anybody know the aussie equilivent of shell rotella as recommend on this forum

 

[Suzuki_Don]

does anybody know the aussie equilivent of shell rotella as recommend on this forum

Dave, there are two oils in Australia that seem to be the equivalent of the Rotella. They are the Helix and Rimula type oils. Depends whether you want mineral or synthetic oils.

 

[gert du prez]

Shell Rimula R5 E 10W40

Shell Rimula R5 E 10W40

Anyone knows if the E in the Shell Rimula description refers to the
'feared' Energy-conserving label that nobody wants to use ???

 

[gert du prez]

regardless of brand

regardless of brand

Hi,

if you see below specifications, does this look like a good oil ?
It is a heavy duty diesel engine oil for western Europe that can be found anyware (compared to Valvoline Premium Blue or Shell Rotella! )

Typical standard analyses
Density at 15 ?C, kg/l 0,870
Viscosity -25 ?C, mPa.s 6800
Viscosity 40 ?C, mm?/s 94,80
Viscosity 100 ?C, mm?/s 14,40
Viscosity Index 154
Flash Point COC, ?C 222
Pour Point, ?C -40
Total Base Number, mgKOH/g 10,2
Sulphate Ash, % 1,27

Product specification
API CH-4/SJ
ACEA A3/B3, A3/B4, E3, E5
MB-Approval 228.3
MAN M3275

 

[Nessism]

Anyone knows if the E in the Shell Rimula description refers to the
'feared' Energy-conserving label that nobody wants to use ???

The E apparently is for Energy Conserving... http://www.shell.com/static/global/downloads/brochures/product_flyer_rimula_r5_e.pdf

Think I'd pass on this one unless you can find out more info about what's inside.

 

[gert du prez]

Nessism,

and what about the specs above of the other oil ? does that seem to be OK ?
it is a non-E oil, so no specifications that refer to 'fuel economy' or otherwise ...

by the way, I will be able to buy the Valvoline Heavy Duty Diesel Oil Premium Blue 15W-40

Is it OK to change from the proposed 10W-40 to 15W-40 ?

 

[Nessism]

Nessism,

and what about the specs above of the other oil ? does that seem to be OK ?
it is a non-E oil, so no specifications that refer to 'fuel economy' or otherwise ...

by the way, I will be able to buy the Valvoline Heavy Duty Diesel Oil Premium Blue 15W-40

Is it OK to change from the proposed 10W-40 to 15W-40 ?

There is not enough information in that data to judge the oil, or maybe I'm not educated enough on the subject. In general, just about any 15W-40 diesel oil is fine for use in a GS motorcycle, although there may be some specific exceptions (such as that energy conserving formula).

Vavoline Blue is fine oil. I wouldn't hesitate to use that.

 

[Guest]

I would think that any modern oil, cheap or otherwise, would be of a better quality than that made back in the 70's. So I'd say any (non EC) oil is just fine to use, and is probably better than what your bike came with.

I use Valvoline 4 stroke dino oil with the JASO rating.