Rotella 15w40 or MC 15w40?

[blueoneton]

Hi Everyone,

I thought I would take a chance in asking this question. In asking, I'm interested in the opinions of fellow 7.3 owners such as myself.

I have 62300 on the clock (2002 F350 4x4) with no problems. Up until a few years ago, I would let the dealer do my oil changes and of course they used the MC 15w40. I know this a decent oil. Well, I decided to start changing my own oil but was interested in continuing to use the MC 15w40. In my area at the time no one carried the gallon jugs of MC not even the dealers. WM only had the quart bottles and I didn't want to deal with 15 bottles each oil change.

I decided to go with the Rotella T 15w40 for several reasons (popularity, quality, cost and gallon jugs) My truck does well with the Rotella just like the MC. Of course, I always use the MC #1995 oil filter.


I was in a parts store recently in my area and see they have the MC in the gallon jugs for $9.98 I'm torn with these two oils,I would like to use the best of the two in my rig.

Thanks
bot

 

[DA-HEAT]

I personally like the Motorcraft 15-40 but with no real reason behind it except that these engines were designed to run off MC so why change it. I work at a ford dealer and that is the only thing our oil changers are allowed to use, unless a customer specifically request otherwise. My truck has 136,000 and has never had anything else in it and it runs like a top day in day out. Alot of the older 7.3's that come into our shop have 3-4 and even 500k on them and still haven't hade any major engine problems of course they have maintenance done to their trucks regularly

 

[blueoneton]

Da-Heat


Thanks for the feedback. I do agree the MC is a decent choice, that is what makes the choice tough.

bot

 

[Crumm]

They are both good oils but it best to not switch back and forth. Pick one and go with it.

 

[F350DRW1]

The MC oil is still cheaper than the Rotella. How is that? Because you get 5 quarts, not 4 like with Rotella. Those orange jugs [there's a Hooters joke here somewhere ] have 5 quarts in them.

 

[blueoneton]

Yeah, your right. The Motorcraft is 5 quarts. My mistake.

 

[Fire1]

I personally like the Motorcraft 15-40 but with no real reason behind it except that these engines were designed to run off MC so why change it.

I fail to believe that INTERNATIONAL designed their engine to run on Motorcraft oil. It is a fine oil, as are all that meet the API specs, but it is no better that Rotella.

 

[DA-HEAT]

I fail to believe that INTERNATIONAL designed their engine to run on Motorcraft oil. It is a fine oil, as are all that meet the API specs, but it is no better that Rotella.

Well actually I meant they were designed to run on a special blend w/ a brand of rotella or Mc on the bottle. But apparently Ford believes that their oil is of a great enough quality b/c that is their recommendation and they/international have to deal w/ the engines for the first 100k miles and don't want to be replacing engines b/c of engine oil concerns. But I don't believe there is anything wrong with Rotella but like the other guy said I strongly disagree w/ switching oils pick a brand and ride it out w/ the life of the engine.

 

[bigmike33]

Shell Rotella ia a great oil

I read an article that stated Rotella was one of the best oils out there right now.The reason is that Rotella still uses alot of Zinc Phosphates in its oil. Zinc Phosphates are used as an anti- friction modifier. Which especially is important fot startups and excessive towing. Oils nowadays are lowering a lot of these Zinc Phosphates in their oil because they say it plugs the Catalytic converters and thus causes more air pollution. (keep in mind that it does NOT plug the cats as to restrict or impede air flow but some environmental idiot thinks it causes more pollution) It is only a matter of time until Shell Rotella lowers it Zinc Phosphates but right now it stiil has the most parts per million of any oil out there. (My Comp Cams cam shaft requires that I use Shell Rotella for my 1977 T/A with a 455 BB for its break in period that alone is enough to prove that it has great anti friction modifiers( Zn Phosphates). CHEERS MIKE

 

[DA-HEAT]

I did not know that, good read thanks for the info.