Rotilla

Being a die hard Castrol GTX 20/50 user for 40+ years, it was difficult to change. I've used it in all my vehicles. At this oil change I decided to put in a new filter and buy some Rotilla 15/40 to try it out. I wasn't having problems with my clutch but I don't like the fact they would change the makeup of the oil I've depended on for so long. Damn Lib's.
Immediately I noticed my idle became lower after a few miles. OK, I adjusted it.
Been riding the bike in the 100f heat watching my Temp gauge. It will average 240/250 (head Temp) running but at a stop light the gauge can and has pegged. No problems.
Been around 500 miles now and last week before I left my daughter's in the high desert, (about 10* cooler there) I checked my plugs. Still a touch rich but not too bad. I put in some B7ES's I carry with me to see if it cleans up. 4800ft so it's not a fair assessment. The exhaust note changed but it doesn't seem to run any hotter.
I did notice when I went to add oil, the level hadn't dropped. Normally I'd have to add 1/2 QT but didn't have to.
It's been almost a week now and I'll check my plugs in the morning. I don't like the idea of hotter plugs in the summer so I will clean my Split Fire plugs I bought a year ago when I had the fouling problem. Did a valve job and put in B8ES's to gauge how it would run.
I have the stock 1015 pistons and reused the rings with a light hone when I put them in. I expected a little oil burning and it did.
This oil may have stopped some of it but not all.
I'm impressed.
Question; the lower idle means more compression or less?
I'm going to be 61 - 10/01 and don't like changes or surprises. You know, old dog....
Comments?
Steve

Do you know what its European name is? Isn't Rotella Shells oil for diesel engines?

Yes, it's supposed to have all the additives that were taken out for emissions. The true test will be when I do my valve adjustment check or install my new pistons or both. I ran cheap oil in my 67 Pontiac Le Mans. When I took off the valve covers, there was 1/2" of sludge in there. No wonder I was leaving a cloud of blue smoke a 1/2 mile long. With the Castrol, it was clean as a whistle in my bike or truck. I hope this stuff turns out as well.
Steve

Steve it would seem to me that more compression would mean lower idle. I ran rotella in my bike for 8,000 miles with wasted valve seals and bad valve seats and the engine was very clean. I change oil every 500 miles or right after a long ride.

I can't believe it, it's hard to believe someone else is more anal than I am. :lol: I change my oil but not that often. :woohoo: Good thing I didn't try this stuff when my seals were shot. I'd still be running bad valve springs, bad seals and valves seating on carbon. :ohmy: I thought higher compression too but wanted to hear what our veterans had to say about it. :whistle:
Like I said, I'm slow to change but when it works, it works.
Steve

In all the years I have been on forums, I have yet to read a bad post on Rotella. The only thing is I read the "balance" of the additive package is a little heavier on the detergents because it's made for diesels but I don't think that hurts anything. When I run out of the oil I have stockpiled, I am switching to Rotella.

What's getting me is the lack of oil burning.
Steve

Rotella is fine oil.

Hope you realize that plug temperatures don't affect the engine running temp.

I was at Depot two weeks ago and the truck was down on oil. (bad rear main seal) They had Rotilla on sale so I bought a gallon. Same thing. Oil pressure is up and after sitting for a week, it satarted right up. I can tell I have higher compression too.
I just told my daughter to use it in her car.
Once again I'm impressed.
Steve

I found the 15-40 on sale at Wall Mart for $12.95 a gallon a few weeks ago!!! Bought three gallons and have only one left.... should have bought more.
I'll use it again after I swap the heads on my KZ1000 later this month.

I don't like changes but I didn't, they did and didn't tell us. That's the "new normal".
Steve

swest wrote: I don't like changes but I didn't, they did and didn't tell us. That's the "new normal".
Steve

Yeah I still have that last big 4 or 5 gallon bottle of the Castrol GTX that I know will only use in my 97' truck or 05' SUV.
No more in KZ.....