I know another oil thread

[Ipack]

I am a fan of synthetic oil period ..use it in all vehicles and used it in the Harley , and am using it now in the Voyager . But being the voyager is a shared sump system and the oil feeds the motor , clutch and trans . I wonder if it wouldn't actually be better just to use dino and change more often say 1500 -2000 miles ...I actually have a hard time leaving any oil in a shared sump longer then that so would there be any benefit of continuing with the synthetic?? Auto zone is discontinuing the Valvoline 20w-50 syn. Motor cycle oil for some reason and is selling it in my location for like 3+ change a qt. I have this oil in the bike now and 2 more changes worth in supply .....but once this supply in house or the store dry up , I am considering just using 20w-50 dino with short change intervals because of the shared sump .....shearing thru the trans gears and not only combustion by product but clutch material as well.......I always used Rotella 15w-40 in al other shared sump bikes but I as well like 20w-50 Castrol or even 15w-50 mobil one .......I do feel better with shorter change intervals on shared sumps ....any thoughts??? Ive read reports of oil in a shared sump starting a 20w-50 and shearing to a 10w-40 or less in 2000 miles .......so my short change interal does have some merit .......true the voyager is liquid cooled but its only the heads .....so a 20w-50 is my likely choice. so run dino with shorter intervals or stick with syn . and dump at 3k

[ringadingh]

Ive been using Rotella synthetic the past couple seasons, mainly because I got a good deal on it. However now that I'm out, my next oil change will be going back to Rotella dino oil, It seems to make gear changes a lot smoother than the synthetic oil. I wouldn't use 20W50 unless I lived in Arizona were its gets very hot in the summer. It may be ok in the transmission, but the motor has some small oil passages and hydraulic lifters, that may starve for oil on startups and cooler weather.

[dank]

Originally Posted by ringadingh

However now that I'm out, my next oil change will be going back to Rotella dino oil, It seems to make gear changes a lot smoother than the synthetic oil.

If that's what floats your boat: try switching to a Honda!!!!!

[Old Bear]

I'm not an oil expert, but do know a few that are close. I have used AMSOIL since my first oil change. They warrant the engine with oil changes no more than twice the recommended period. As the Vaquero recommendation is 7,500 miles, I split the difference and change oil every 10,000 miles. Easy number to remember. I have over 50k on the bike now. As I typically put on a minimum of 600 miles every week, using AMSOIL allows me more riding time. So far, so good!

[Duc796canada]

I was at Wal-Mart, so I decided to check out the Rotella T-6 5W40, by golly, it is JASO MA, so is the 15W40 Rotella!!

[cnc]

I agree with Ring, any benefits you may gain by more frequent oil changes will be lost by using a 20w-50 oil in your climate. Most engine wear is at start up and starting a engine with an oil that acts like a 20 weight cold is more likely to starve the motor of oil for a longer time than say a multigrade acts like a 10w- or 15w-. I use 10-40 kawa full synthetic all the time, not cheap but if I wanted to save money I wouldn't ride a bike.

[Ipack]

well guys I made the change .....I changed the oil today with the rotella 15w-40 ... Ive had much experience with this oil in the past and know it good stuff . Bike seems to like it runs very smooth ....I don't think the 20w-50 would have given me much trouble as I don't ride below 40 degree's ......But being a x Harley owner 20w-50 was kinda in my blood .......I ran the rottella yrs ago in other metrics I had and liked it .....I use this oil every day at work and have seen many high mileage motors apart very clean inside ......

[ponch]

As long as it meets the specs, it's ok.

Engine Lubrication System
Engine Oil:
Grade API SE, SF or SG
API SH, SJ or SL with JASO MA, MA1 or MA2
– – –
Viscosity SAE 10W-40 – – –
Capacity 4.1 L (4.3 US qt, when filter is not removed) – – –
4.3 L (4.5 US qt, when filter is removed) – – –
5.0 L (5.3 US qt, when engine is completely dry) – – –
Level Between upper and lower level lines (Wait 3
minutes or more after idling or running)
– – –

[Duc796canada]

Originally Posted by ponch

As long as it meets the specs, it's ok.

Engine Lubrication System
Engine Oil:
Grade API SE, SF or SG
API SH, SJ or SL with JASO MA, MA1 or MA2
– – –
Viscosity SAE 10W-40 – – –
Capacity 4.1 L (4.3 US qt, when filter is not removed) – – –
4.3 L (4.5 US qt, when filter is removed) – – –
5.0 L (5.3 US qt, when engine is completely dry) – – –
Level Between upper and lower level lines (Wait 3
minutes or more after idling or running)
– – –

From people talking about Rotella, I went to Wal Mart and looked at the specs, it says Jaso MA.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by Duc796canada

From people talking about Rotella, I went to Wal Mart and looked at the specs, it says Jaso MA.

If you go to their website, I've seen the spec PDF and it says JASO MA2

[Ipack]

Ok ...I took you guys advice and switched from the 20w-50 . Am now using the 15w-40 Rotella . I have used this in the past in a Suzuki I had and as primary chain lube in my Road king ..... I know this is good oil and have faith it will do well in the voyager ...and for the cost I can change every 2,000 and not feel like I'm pissing cash down the drain. On shared sump systems I feel it is a benefit to change early as the oil gets ran thru the trans gears and the clutch as well as the engine ......maybe I'm anal but ..well I am what I am......I like this bike a lot and have every intention of doing well by it maintenance wise.....after doing $100.00 oil changes on the Harley with full synthetic ....the price of rotella is peanuts ....maybe my shared sump theory is wrong but I feel fuzzy with it . who knows maybe I'll be the next guy to push a voyager past the 200,000 mile mark......I like this bike .

[ponch]

Originally Posted by Ipack

Ok ...I took you guys advice and switched from the 20w-50 . Am now using the 15w-40 Rotella . I have used this in the past in a Suzuki I had and as primary chain lube in my Road king ..... I know this is good oil and have faith it will do well in the voyager ...and for the cost I can change every 2,000 and not feel like I'm pissing cash down the drain. On shared sump systems I feel it is a benefit to change early as the oil gets ran thru the trans gears and the clutch as well as the engine ......maybe I'm anal but ..well I am what I am......I like this bike a lot and have every intention of doing well by it maintenance wise.....after doing $100.00 oil changes on the Harley with full synthetic ....the price of rotella is peanuts ....maybe my shared sump theory is wrong but I feel fuzzy with it . who knows maybe I'll be the next guy to push a voyager past the 200,000 mile mark......I like this bike .

2000 miles is a little short. I'd let it go longer.