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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Shell Rotella T 15/40 Oil

I have been using Shell Rotella T (triple) oil (15/40) in my home generator for a few years. It's rated for diesel use, has anyone used this product in the Spridget's?

http://www.shell.com/home/content/rotella/

Regards,

Larry C.
Larry C '69 Midget

Oils for diesel are fine for our older flat tappet engines.
Diesel engines have no catalysts and accept a lot more zink etc.
All of this good stuff has been thrown out of petrol oils because it kills catalysts
Onno K

Larry,

I believe the idea of using diesel motor oils like Rotella T was for the zddp content. But, it is my understanding that the zddp content of those oils was reduced shortly after it was reduced in gasoline motor oils.

I think the designation numbers for the oils changed (maybe C-4 now??), and you may also see some language on the container indicating that it is formulated for lowered emissions.

So, check it out for yourself, but I quit using Rotella and Delo in my gas burners a few years ago. These days I usually use the Valvoline racing oils.

Charley
C R Huff

I Found this passage on car bibles.

A question came up some time ago about using diesel-rated oils to flush out petrol engines. The idea was that because of the higher detergent levels in diesel engine oil, it might be a good cleaner / flusher for a non-diesel engine. Well most of the diesel oil specification oils can be used in old petrol engines for cleaning, but you want to use a low specification oil to ensure that you do not over clean your engine and lose compression (for example). Generally speaking, an SAE 15W/40 diesel engine oil for about 500 miles might do the trick. ----------------



So, does this imply that it's not a good idea to use diesel rated engine oils in petrol engines for regular use?

Lawrence Slater

Doesn't say it's for diesel or petrol. I think it's rated for both. I read on another site it's rated for both.

Here's shells page on it.

http://www.shell.com/home/content/rotella/products/tpl_pro/
Lawrence Slater

All,

Thanks for your input. Shell does list Rotella for both gasoline and diesel engines, both new and old. I only drive about fifteen hundred miles a year these days so I will give it a try, and monitor performance. My concern is with oil pressure during the warm summer months.

Regards,

Larry C.
Larry C '69 Midget

This thread was discussed between 09/04/2012 and 13/04/2012

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