Was Recommended to Use Delo 100 on a 255 Merc?

[sognare]

Jut got back from the store, wanted to check up on this advice. It was recommended that I use delo 100 (which is formulated for two-cycle engines) in my 255 Mercs because they are an older engine (1975 with just over 1000hrs on em.) Is this good idea? I think previous owner was using delo 400.

thanks,
Brian

[sognare]

are we boycotting gas engine questions?

[JiffyLube]

Originally Posted by sognare

are we boycotting gas engine questions?

I believe Delo 400 is for newer engines, and Delo 100 is for older engines.

[jdoe71]

Chevron Delo 100 Motor Oils are high performance crankcase oils for diesel engines.
They are manufactured using selected premium paraffinic base oils and detergent, dispersant, wear control, antioxidant, corrosion inhibitor, and foam suppressant additives.
Chevron Delo 100 Motor Oils are formulated to:

• Reduce the formation of piston deposits and varnish resulting from high temperature operation and sludge typical of low engine temperature service
• Protect against wear, rust, and corrosion
• Reduce oil thickening due to excellent high temperature oxidation stability
• Maintain clean engines for long trouble free life

Applications:
Chevron Delo 100 Motor Oils are recommended for use in two- and four-stroke diesel engines in farm machinery, construction equipment, marine, and other off-highway applications.
Chevron Delo 100 Motor Oils utilize the latest technology to provide excellent performance in older engines using either normal, high or low sulfur diesel fuels.
The SAE 20 and 30 grades can be used in powershift transmissions requiring Caterpillar TO-2 oils. These two grades can also be used in moble hydraulic systems where excellent EP antiwear protection is needed.
Chevron Delo 100 Motor Oils

• meet API Service Categories CF-2, CD-II (SAE 30, 40, 50) CF, CD
• Comply with Detroit Diesel Corperation two-stroke engine recommendations, including the 0.85% ash maximumlimit for Series 149 engines

Chevron Delo 100 Motor Oils are authorized by USDA for use in federally inspected meat and poultry plants as H2 lubricants with no food contact.



Handy thing, that Google.

[David M]

Automotive street oils are required to have lower levels of zinc and phosphorous than the formulations from years ago. The off road oil is better for diesel boat engines because it contains extra amounts of these additives which reduce wear.

[sognare]

wow, thanks John Doe!

Saw that myself, the information isn't very convincing that this oil really has any specific use. This leads me to wonder how good it will be for any one specific use. Gas, diesel, 2-stroke, 4-stroke, transmission, list goes on. So what the heck is it's optimal use?

I have a four stroke gas engine. Not a 2-4 stroke, gas-diesel-transmission engine. This is why I was hoping for thoughtful input on the matter.

cheers,
Brian

[JiffyLube]

Originally Posted by sognare

wow, thanks John Doe!

Saw that myself, the information isn't very convincing that this oil really has any specific use. This leads me to wonder how good it will be for any one specific use. Gas, diesel, 2-stroke, 4-stroke, transmission, list goes on. So what the heck is it's optimal use?

I have a four stroke gas engine. Not a 2-4 stroke, gas-diesel-transmission engine. This is why I was hoping for thoughtful input on the matter.

cheers,
Brian

Why not read the back of the oil container to see what Delo 100 and 400 are recommended for?...I don't think they are for gas engines.

[Stillraining]

Either one will serve you well...

It is true that Delo 100 was and still is considered and formulated for 2 stroke Diesel engines..all the garble goop I do not know..I use 400 in all my 4 stroke engines, gas or diesel.. or Rotella one of the two. Being a single weight is the biggest diffrance between the two any more in my opinion ( which is what you want in a 2 stroker). But I would through in any one of them if I was low and needed the oil.

To be honest with the all the advances in oil in the past 40 years I dont think it makes a hill of beans much what you use anymore..just dont let them run out of the stuff and you will be fine..

FWIW Im an excavation contractor with lots of equipment...Engine failure is one thing Im not plagued with...

[jdoe71]

This line:

>>Chevron Delo 100 Motor Oils are high performance crankcase oils for diesel engines.<<

Tells me that they want you to use it in diesel engines. Since your engines are gassers, I would not use that oil in them. Additive packages for gas and diesel engine oils are very different.

I use 15W-40 Rotella T in our diesel as recommended by the manufacturer. I usually, but not always, go by what the mfg recommends and likely they want you to use a straight HD 30 in those engines. So if I were you I would find a really high quality oil of a type recommended by the manufacturer that is intended for use in gas engines and go with that. Every oil company makes this stuff, I'd just check their websites and get the best they make.

Little story to illustrate point of following mfg recommendations. Back in the early 90s we had a 26' power boat with a 260 Mercruiser (Chev 350) in it. I got all clever with the oil and tried 20W-50 synthetic that supposedly could support any engine built even turbo diesels. I had been running that oil in turbocharged gas race car engines without problems, in fact it was the only oil these engines would live with. The boat engine ran a rod bearing in the first 1/2 hour of running that oil, pretty much destroyed everything except the block, heads and 7 rods. Could have been coincidence, but I doubted it. After the $1500 rebuild (Chev 350 parts are cheap thank god) I ran 30 weight, as recommended by the manufacturer and had no further problems. Lesson learned.

[David M]

For engine lube oil, a "C" classification is for Diesel engines. An "S" classification is for gasoline engines. Think C for compression and S for spark.

There are other subcategories such as CF, CF-2, CF-4, CG-4, CH-4, CL-4

Amsoil has a good description of what these classifications mean towards the bottom of the web page.

http://www.performanceoiltechnology....quirements.htm

Not all diesel manufacturers require a straight grade! The Cummins I have requires a multigrade. Go by what your engine manufacturer requires....period.

[sognare]

thanks guys for your input
-brian

[Cheechako]

Delo has been used in gas engines for 47 years that I have personal knowledge of. It was the recommended Premium oil for cars when I worked at the Chevron service station in the early 60's. We used to dispense it in those glass containers with the funnel tops before the throw away cans became popular. It is formulated to help your rod bearings take the beating a diesel engine exerts on them as well as the light beating your gas engine does and all the other Extreme Duty requirements. There should be nothing finer for your mercs. Most auto manuals used to reference a minimum oil rating, not a single category. Use the correct weight though. (BTW, changing oil in cars may be overrated. My buddy had a 65 chevrolet that he changed the oil in once in 119,000 miles. Ran fine until he sold it.!) from Chevron's website:
"Delo Engine Oil
Delo® premium engine oils are designed for naturally-aspirated, turbocharged and supercharged diesel and gasoline engines found in vehicles ranging from long-haul trucks and city buses, to mining and construction loaders, cranes, and tractors."

[Stillraining]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Delo has been used in gas engines for 47 years that I have personal knowledge of. It was the recommended Premium oil for cars when I worked at the Chevron service station in the early 60's. We used to dispense it in those glass containers with the funnel tops before the throw away cans became popular. It is formulated to help your rod bearings take the beating a diesel engine exerts on them as well as the light beating your gas engine does and all the other Extreme Duty requirements. There should be nothing finer for your mercs. Most auto manuals used to reference a minimum oil rating, not a single category. Use the correct weight though. (BTW, changing oil in cars may be overrated. My buddy had a 65 chevrolet that he changed the oil in once in 119,000 miles. Ran fine until he sold it.!) from Chevron's website:
"Delo Engine Oil
Delo® premium engine oils are designed for naturally-aspirated, turbocharged and supercharged diesel and gasoline engines found in vehicles ranging from long-haul trucks and city buses, to mining and construction loaders, cranes, and tractors."

OK PLEASE .... nobody get their shorts in a bundle over what I have to say , OK!..this is being said form a very , very humble perspective and in a humbal tone of voice.. and is just my opinion....And I'm never done learning only adding or subtracting learned information.

But I will buy your buddy a beer any time....Finally another voice of reason.

Until our recent new purchase of our Scion we have always bought 4000 dollar or cheaper used but ok cars..any where from 106,000 on them to a 1500 dollar 176,000 mile Ford Aerostar van ( still have it )..I have changed the oil once in a couple of them and never in many more...Each one we have put 80 to over 130K on and have never had a bearing or ring ,valve or cam probolum..NEVER...or had blue smoke out the tail pipe or large oil consumption ever either...Usually a tranny will go out and they aren't worth fixing..we just pick up another one.

I will change the Scion oil every 6k just to comply with the 100K warranty but after that will drop back to about 12 to 15K and after 150K if we still have probably stop completely as well...Just change the filter every 25K or so.

I feel this 3K oil change BS has been a consumer rip off forced on us for years... 6K is still way to early! ( After the initonal break in oil change to clear out metals and assembly grease and dirt that is.)

I do change oil in Diesels sooner (12K average) as you can test its contamination by a simple bleed out test on a paper shop towel from your dip stick but I still change way less then manufactures or industry dictates..I have a couple John Deer diesels with 12000 hours on them that fire right up and barely have any hint of blue smoke at all.

I'm not trying to change any ones mind believe me... and we have to do what we have to do to protect our warranties. as mandated.. but they will never change mine either with their printed stats. and recommendations.

IMHO...A diesel is a diesel so "This ain't a truck" or a "This ain't a piece of equipment" from other threads I don't buy either...My apologies in differing with a couple posters here or there ... I have 17 of them.

Maybe I'm all wet with these Yanmars and other very small engines in these new boats..and maybe they are different.. I'd myself re-power with a real workhorse engine in that case.. either CAT , Cummings, John Deer or Perkins..when the time came and continue to do what you need to do in the mean time to keep yours running...Again not slamming just stating what I know.

Not trying to sound flippant or derogatory here..really I am not..I just know what I know about my engines that's all...Again Very Humbly submitted..as just my opinion owning equipment for 22 years and being around it for 35....

I almost didn't post this but here it is.

[Cheechako]

Yea, I hear ya, I think the 3k on an auto oil change is a bit frequent too. I usually end up at 4-6K! I do change my boat oil as often as I can get around to it, 100 hours or so.... years ago they used to sell an aftermarket oil filter that took a roll of toilet paper! The local cab company used them. the oil stayed new looking for thousands of miles instead of turning black. If the new oil filters are so good, why dont they filter as well as TP???? :>o

[Stillraining]

I remember that filter well and had actually tried to find a couple of them several years ago now..no luck..