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quick oil question

Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2003 9:38 am
by robsmcn
When I reach about 1,500-2000 miles, I am switching to synthetic oil. I am thinking of trying Mobil Delvac 1 - it's marketed as a truck diesel engine oil but also suitable for gas engines. However, the rating is 5W-40. Does anyone advise against using this rating? I live in NJ - probably won't ride in weather lower than 40 degrees F or higher than 90. My alternative was Mobil 1 15w50

quick oil question

Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2003 11:29 am
by Thor Lancelot Simon
On Sat, Apr 05, 2003 at 03:38:55PM -0000, robsmcn wrote:
> When I reach about 1,500-2000 miles, I am switching to synthetic > oil. I am thinking of trying Mobil Delvac 1 - it's marketed as a > truck diesel engine oil but also suitable for gas engines. However, > the rating is 5W-40. Does anyone advise against using this rating?
I ran Rotella Synthetic (basically the same stuff as Delvac 1) all winter, and the bike started easily and ran fine. No problems with transmission nor clutch, which is what you'd expect; unlike other oils with a low cold viscosity rating, these oils don't have friction modifiers which might cause temporary clutch problems. I went to buy a few more gallons, though, and Wal-Mart had raised the price per gallon to $18.55 from $13.55! So it's no longer such a good deal... what are you paying for the Delvac 1, and where are you getting it, one of the truck stops on the Turnpike? For the summer, looks like I'm running plain 15W/40 Rotella T; with changes every couple thousand miles, it shouldn't make much difference, and it's cheap, cheap, cheap (and lasts much longer than your typical dino oil).

quick oil question

Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2003 11:45 am
by RM
On Sat, 5 Apr 2003, robsmcn wrote:
>When I reach about 1,500-2000 miles, I am switching to synthetic oil. I >am thinking of trying Mobil Delvac 1 - it's marketed as a truck diesel >engine oil but also suitable for gas engines. However, the rating is >5W-40. Does anyone advise against using this rating? I live in NJ - >probably won't ride in weather lower than 40 degrees F or higher than 90.
After reading so many good things about these 5W-40 fleet oils, I decided to give Rotella T Synthetic a go in my ZR-7. An analysis is forthcoming. Delvac 1 is a better oil and it's also more expensive. I had reservations about the "5W" part but these oils have ASTM-standardized high-temp/high-shear ratings which exceed JASO MA minimums by a significant margin, so they'll probably work just fine. RM

quick oil question

Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2003 12:49 pm
by Thomas J Komjathy
OooooKaaaa, everyone respond!
----- Original Message ----- From: "RM" Cc: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2003 12:45 PM Subject: Re: [DSN_klr650] Quick oil question > > On Sat, 5 Apr 2003, robsmcn wrote: > > >When I reach about 1,500-2000 miles, I am switching to synthetic oil. I > >am thinking of trying Mobil Delvac 1 - it's marketed as a truck diesel > >engine oil but also suitable for gas engines. However, the rating is > >5W-40. Does anyone advise against using this rating? I live in NJ - > >probably won't ride in weather lower than 40 degrees F or higher than 90. > > After reading so many good things about these 5W-40 fleet oils, I decided > to give Rotella T Synthetic a go in my ZR-7. An analysis is forthcoming. > > Delvac 1 is a better oil and it's also more expensive. > > I had reservations about the "5W" part but these oils have > ASTM-standardized high-temp/high-shear ratings which exceed JASO MA > minimums by a significant margin, so they'll probably work just fine. > > RM > > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at www.dualsportnews.com. List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > Unsubscribe by sending a blank message to: > DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com . > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > >

quick oil question

Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2003 1:02 pm
by RM
On Sat, 5 Apr 2003, Thomas J Komjathy wrote:
>OooooKaaaa, everyone respond!
Me? Resist an oil thread?

quick oil question

Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2003 4:31 pm
by bkowalca
I just recently switched to Delvac 5W-40 from Walmart. This grade of oil is a high-tech version which has become the standard in European sports cars. If it's good enought for Porche, Audi and BMW it's good enough for me. The diesel version probably has additives that aren't good for catalytic converters which is not a problem for the old KLR. Up in the Great White North, last week I rode in tempurature extremes of 2C to 20C in one day so its a good thing for me to get a wide multigrade oil. I thought I might have had clutch slippage problems, but it was just my worn back tire fighting for traction on the pavement. I also haven't experienced the oil consumption problems I had before with the dino based oils, but I also put fresh rings in so I can't say for sure if it was the synthetic oil. Bryan K A14
--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "robsmcn" wrote: > When I reach about 1,500-2000 miles, I am switching to synthetic > oil. I am thinking of trying Mobil Delvac 1 - it's marketed as a > truck diesel engine oil but also suitable for gas engines. However, > the rating is 5W-40. Does anyone advise against using this rating? > I live in NJ - probably won't ride in weather lower than 40 degrees > F or higher than 90. > > My alternative was Mobil 1 15w50

quick oil question

Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2003 4:54 pm
by Dan Paulsen
Short but sweet. 115k mi on my '98 Kaw Concours ZG1000 which has had all Castrol GTX dino oil changes at 3k mi intervals but for a couple snth blend oil changes. Still runs fine with no oil consumtion. Save $ (buy GTX on sale by the case for around $1 per qt) and run 'regular' oil and change frequently. IMO Next question. Dan P Graham WA -

quick oil question

Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2003 6:09 pm
by Conall O'Brien
>From: RM >To: Thomas J Komjathy >CC: RM , DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com >Subject: Re: [DSN_klr650] Quick oil question >Date: Sat, 5 Apr 2003 14:02:22 -0500 (EST) > > >On Sat, 5 Apr 2003, Thomas J Komjathy wrote: > > >OooooKaaaa, everyone respond! > >Me? Resist an oil thread?
I just swapped out my Castrol GTX 10-40 that had about 1400 miles of use with Chevron Delo 15-40W. I change the oil filter every third oil change. It is my perception that the additive package in castrol GTX dictates to change the oil every 1500 miles. Conall _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8 helps eliminate e-mail viruses. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus

quick oil question

Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2003 7:14 pm
by The Mule
I used to change my A14 every 3,000 miles. I kinda think now I'll be doing more like every 2,000 miles with my current A17..........after break-in is completed, of course. I'm churning my third batch of oil now (and third filter) at 700 miles, last changed at 350 miles. I believe that more frequent changing of cheaper oil is more better for the engine. The Mule ----- Original Message ----- From: "Conall O'Brien" To: ; Cc: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2003 7:08 PM Subject: Re: [DSN_klr650] Quick oil question > > > >From: RM > >To: Thomas J Komjathy > >CC: RM , DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com > >Subject: Re: [DSN_klr650] Quick oil question > >Date: Sat, 5 Apr 2003 14:02:22 -0500 (EST) > > > > > >On Sat, 5 Apr 2003, Thomas J Komjathy wrote: > > > > >OooooKaaaa, everyone respond! > > > >Me? Resist an oil thread? > > I just swapped out my Castrol GTX 10-40 that had about 1400 miles of use > with Chevron Delo 15-40W. I change the oil filter every third oil change. It > is my perception that the additive package in castrol GTX dictates to change > the oil every 1500 miles. > > Conall

quick oil question

Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2003 4:49 am
by Guest
If you are want to go synthetic, and are thinking of using Mobil Delvac 1, I would suggest that you instead use Mobil 1 MX4T which is Mobil's synthetic oil developed specifically for 4 stroke motorcycles. Here's what Mobil has to say about it. ------------------------------------------------------------- Engineered for on-road, off-road and competition four-cycle motorcycles. Key benefits: Helps provide optimum acceleration and peak horsepower. Scientifically developed high-performance additive system. Provides excellent engine protection at peak rpm. Superb transmission protection. ------------------------------------------------------------ I believe it comes in one rating which is 10W-40 which would be appropriate for where you live and the temperature range you posted. I use it myself. There are two other synthetic oils I wouldn't hesitate in using. The first is Royal Purple which they sell in the Kawasaki dealership I frequent. The other is Redline, a well known oil used on various racing circuits, and recommended by some high end car manufacturers. I've spoken to both oil manufacturers, looked at the specs. and like what I hear and see. Both manufacturers agree that you shouldn't use their synthetics till the engine is broken in. They feel that the superior lubricating properties will prevent proper break in. While I use a synthetic myself, I am of the belief as are others here, that using a good standard oil like Castrol and changed at regular intervals will also keep the ole KLR in good shape and happy. Peter
>When I reach about 1,500-2000 miles, I am switching to synthetic >oil. I am thinking of trying Mobil Delvac 1 - it's marketed as a >truck diesel engine oil but also suitable for gas engines.