vrzff
Member
- 16
- 66
- 13
- Location
- Mont Vernon, NH
Hey all,
Just wanted to make a quick post for the northern people here. I started running Rotella T6 0W40 in my tractor to help with the cold starts, and also changed over the 803A last week. Note that this is a "heavy duty" diesel oil, and not a European car oil (which does exist).
While it's not in the book, a 0w40 oil is still a 40 weight oil at operating temperature-- same as a 15w40. It has a lower viscosity when cold, which reduces wear and allows easier cranking. While I cannot prove wear reduction, I can firmly say that cold starting is significantly easier. The cranking time has dropped to a few seconds, down from 15+. Protection / proper lubrication is rated from below -20F to 120F+, it's essentially a year-round oil.
I'll be doing an oil analysis every 100 hours, and report back to this thread with the results. The main thing I'll be keeping an eye on is the viscosity at operating temperature, because the viscosity modifiers (which allow the oil to change viscosity) can and do wear out with use, resulting in a thinner oil at operating temperature.
Just wanted to make a quick post for the northern people here. I started running Rotella T6 0W40 in my tractor to help with the cold starts, and also changed over the 803A last week. Note that this is a "heavy duty" diesel oil, and not a European car oil (which does exist).
While it's not in the book, a 0w40 oil is still a 40 weight oil at operating temperature-- same as a 15w40. It has a lower viscosity when cold, which reduces wear and allows easier cranking. While I cannot prove wear reduction, I can firmly say that cold starting is significantly easier. The cranking time has dropped to a few seconds, down from 15+. Protection / proper lubrication is rated from below -20F to 120F+, it's essentially a year-round oil.
I'll be doing an oil analysis every 100 hours, and report back to this thread with the results. The main thing I'll be keeping an eye on is the viscosity at operating temperature, because the viscosity modifiers (which allow the oil to change viscosity) can and do wear out with use, resulting in a thinner oil at operating temperature.
! When I bought my 1st genset a MEP-002a we routinely lost power every winter multiple times and I needed to keep house water well, pumped-septic system, propane heat all powered on & wife happy etc. Then I later bought my second genset for our other service entrance at Shop/Barn for backup power there as it has separate well & a pumped septic system as well & also with horses to keep watered & lights on. Now being more prepared/ the "pwr outage gremlins" sensed my outage preparedness & seemed to skip to every other year outages. When I bought my 3rd genset as backup for genset #1 the local power failure demons seemed to pull a fast one & switched to causing outages during "summer fire season" due to increasing frequency of dry conditions increasing & high wind "preemptive utility shutoff's" during high fire conditions . 
summer outages to keep wife happy & also to also keep my cool during somewhat stressful fire conditions.
that it unfortunately turned out to be. 
