CarbonSteel
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #1
I have been running Rotella Gas Truck (RGT) for about 15K miles now using an OCI of 5K with no major issues (as expected). A few observations—I do need more UOAs for trending so these are just initial observations:
1. It is shear resistant, typically losing a low of 6.3% to a high of 9.4% of its viscosity versus a low of 9.6% to a high of 17.1% for Castrol Edge in the same engine.
2. Iron generation appears to be on par with the other oils that I have used, ranging from 12-36PPM versus 12-28PPM for Castrol Edge for a 5K OCI.
3. Total Base Number (TBN) retention is the only “downer” if there is one to be named. The TBN for this oil does not start very high—6.44 from a virgin oil sample (VOA). It typically loses between 56.3% and 69.72% of its total TBN in 5K miles versus between 19.39% and 51.06% for Castrol Edge. While reduction in TBN is not linear, this indicates to me that RGT is not a “long drain” oil and I have capped the OCI at 5K miles.
4. Though color means little in motor oil these days, RGT is very dark at 5K miles which could mean it is cleaning/absorbing combustion by-products while it is in use. The oil temperatures in my 3.6L are very normal running in the 190°F – 220°F range depending on ambient temperatures and load, so I am confident it is not turning dark due to temperatures.
Otherwise, for an oil that was gobbled up during the AAP clearance at between $1.00 and $2.00 per quart, I am happy with the performance and the self-imposed OCI limit of 5K miles. I will update this thread as new data comes to light.
@DanW @blnewt @Rhinebeck01 @Stormin’ Moorman
1. It is shear resistant, typically losing a low of 6.3% to a high of 9.4% of its viscosity versus a low of 9.6% to a high of 17.1% for Castrol Edge in the same engine.
2. Iron generation appears to be on par with the other oils that I have used, ranging from 12-36PPM versus 12-28PPM for Castrol Edge for a 5K OCI.
3. Total Base Number (TBN) retention is the only “downer” if there is one to be named. The TBN for this oil does not start very high—6.44 from a virgin oil sample (VOA). It typically loses between 56.3% and 69.72% of its total TBN in 5K miles versus between 19.39% and 51.06% for Castrol Edge. While reduction in TBN is not linear, this indicates to me that RGT is not a “long drain” oil and I have capped the OCI at 5K miles.
4. Though color means little in motor oil these days, RGT is very dark at 5K miles which could mean it is cleaning/absorbing combustion by-products while it is in use. The oil temperatures in my 3.6L are very normal running in the 190°F – 220°F range depending on ambient temperatures and load, so I am confident it is not turning dark due to temperatures.
Otherwise, for an oil that was gobbled up during the AAP clearance at between $1.00 and $2.00 per quart, I am happy with the performance and the self-imposed OCI limit of 5K miles. I will update this thread as new data comes to light.
@DanW @blnewt @Rhinebeck01 @Stormin’ Moorman
Sponsored