13.3
DETROIT DIESEL 53
DIESEL LUBRICATING OIL SPECIFICATIONS
The older high ash Series 3 oils should NOT be used in
OIL QUALITY
Detroit Diesel engines as they tend to deposit heavy ash on
There are hundreds of commercial crankcase oils marketed
valve faces and head inserts resulting in channelling,
today. Lubricants marketed for heavy duty diesel service
guttering, and short engine life.
consist of refined crude oil to which has been added additives
compounded to meet the desired engine performance levels.
Supplement 1 Lubricating Oils
Oil additive selection is based on evaluations conducted by
See MIL-L-2104B limitations under Recommendation.
the oil supplier; therefore, satisfactory OIL QUALITY is the
Multigrade Lubricating Oils
responsibility of the oil supplier. (The term oil supplier is
Multigrade oils are NOT recommended. The use of an SAE30
applicable to refiners, blenders and rebranders of petroleum
grade is desirable for year round use when cold starting can
products, and does not include distributors of such products.)
be accomplished. Multigrade oils should be considered only
Experience has shown that oil performance in commercial
as the "last resort" to facilitate starting when prolonged
heavy duty diesel service applications varies from brana to
exposure to temperatures below freezing is unavoidable and
brand.
adequate starting aids are unavailable.
Obviously engine manufacturers or users cannot completely
Experience clearly indicates that multigrade oils are NOT
evaluate the hundreds of commercial oils; therefore, the
comparable to SAE30 lubricants for heavy duty diesel service.
selection of a suitable lubricant in consultation with a reliable
Cylinder liner scuffing, liner port and ring groove deposit
oil supplier, strict observance of his oil change
levels are all greater using multigrade lubricants. This results
recommendations (used oil sample analysis can be of value),
in shortened engine life.
and proper filter maintenance will provide your best assurance
COLD WEATHER OPERATION
of satisfactory oil performance.
Cold weather starting will be facilitated when immersion type
Detroit Diesel lubricant recommendations are based on
electrical coolant heaters can be used. Other practical
general experience with current lubricants of various types
considerations, such as the use of batteries, cables and
and give consideration to the commercial lubricants presently
connectors of adequate size, generators or alternators of
available.
ample capacity, proper setting of voltage regulators, ether
RECOMMENDATION
starting aids, oil and coolant heater systems, and proper fuel
MIL-L-2104B Lubricants
selection will accomplish starting with the use of SAE30 oil.
Detroit Diesel engines have given optimum performance,
For complete cold weather starting information, consult an
and experienced the longest service life with MIL-L-2104B,
Authorized Detroit Diesel Service Outlet.
SAE 30 oils. However, the additive concentration of some
OIL CHANGES
MIL-L-2104B oils has been substantially increased in order to
It is recommended that new engines be started with 100 hour
meet 1968-1969 MS performance requirements. Some of
oil change periods. For highway vehicles this corresponds to
these 1968-1969 MS/MIL-L-2104B oils have given
approximately 3,000 miles, and for "cityservice" vehicles
unsatisfactory perfornmance because of excessive exhaust
approximately 1,000-2,000 miles. The drain interval may then
valve and ring-belt ash deposits. For these reasons our
be gradually increased, or decreased with experience on a
primary lubricant recommendations are MIL-L-2104B and
specific lubricant while also considering the recommendations
Supplement 1 oils with the following limitations:
of the oil supplier (analysis of the drained oil can be helpful
1.
Zinc, as zinc diorganodithiophosphate, between a
here) until the most practical oil change period for the
minimum of 0.07 and a maximum of 0.10 percent by weight.
particular service has been established.
2. Sulfated ash (ASTM D-874) of 1.00 percent maximum by
Solvents should not be used as flushing oils in running
weight, except lubricants that contain only barium detergent
engines. Dilution of the fresh refill oil supply can occur which
dispersants where 1.50 percent by weight is allowed.
may be detrimental.
Contact a reliable oil supplier and obtain his assurance that
OIL FILTRATION
his product has been tested and given good performance in
Heavy sludge deposits found on the oil filter elements at the
Detroit Diesel engines. An SAE 30 oil is recommended for
time of an oil change must be taken as an indication that the
year-round use. The use of lower viscosity oils or multigrade
detergency of the oil has been exhausted. When this occurs,
products will usually result in less than normal engine life.
the oil drain interval should be shortened Since abrasive dust,
MIL-L-451998 (Series 3) Lubricants
metal particles and carbon material accumulate in the
The use of Low Ash Series 3 oils (sulphated ash less than
lubricating oil during engine operation, the oil filter elements
1.65 percent by weight ASTM designation D874) may be
must be replaced each time the oil is changed.
necessary if the continued use of high sulfur fuel (sulfur
NOTE: The manufacturer's warranty applicable to
greater than 0.5 percent by weight ASTM D129) is
Detroit Diesel engines provides in part that the
unavoidable. Consult a reliable oil supplier, obtain assurance
provisions of such warranty shall not apply to any
that his products have been tested in Detroit Diesel engines,
engine unit which has been subject to MISUSE,
and select the best performer for optimum engine life.
negligence or accident. Accordingly, malfunctions
Low ash Series 3 oils do NOT have to meet any specific
attributable to neglect or failure to follow the
military low temperature performance requirements; therefore,
manufacturer's
lubricating
recommendations
they may NOT perform as well as MILL2104B lubricants in
indicated above may not be within the coverage of
cold climates.
the warranty.
1970 General Motors Corp.
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