MEP803A - 0W40 Oil

[vrzff]

Hey all,

Just wanted to make a quick post for the northern people here. I started running Rotella T6 0W40 in my tractor to help with the cold starts, and also changed over the 803A last week. Note that this is a "heavy duty" diesel oil, and not a European car oil (which does exist).

While it's not in the book, a 0w40 oil is still a 40 weight oil at operating temperature-- same as a 15w40. It has a lower viscosity when cold, which reduces wear and allows easier cranking. While I cannot prove wear reduction, I can firmly say that cold starting is significantly easier. The cranking time has dropped to a few seconds, down from 15+. Protection / proper lubrication is rated from below -20F to 120F+, it's essentially a year-round oil.

I'll be doing an oil analysis every 100 hours, and report back to this thread with the results. The main thing I'll be keeping an eye on is the viscosity at operating temperature, because the viscosity modifiers (which allow the oil to change viscosity) can and do wear out with use, resulting in a thinner oil at operating temperature.

 

[LuckeyD]

Good day: In the words of my mentor; GOOD DEAL! I have been using 0W40 in my private autos for 20 years. I also live in Europe. Works great. In the ARMY junk I have been too busy using TAACOM approved lubricants, mainly 15W40. Interested on your AOAP results.

 

[vrzff]

Slow going on the hour clock.

A series of snow storms and cold-ass weather has kept me mostly indoors-- aside from rebuilding my snowblower's auger gearbox from using anything and everything as a "shear" pin. Turns out that old drill bits work great, because they don't shear; the little brass gear does instead. Then I decided I needed a headlight too, because wouldn't that be convenient. Swapped out the flywheel with another model (which has magnets), and added a rectifier / regulator to make the LED driver happy. Also added an impeller kit, which is basically rubber scraps that close the gap between the impeller blades and housing so that you can blast snow into the neighboring lot. Good for shooting slush too. Now I wish I got the 6 amp wheel, because who wouldn't like heated handles and a second work light. I'll have to post a few pictures of the light project. No pictures of the gearbox because it wasn't a pleasure project, more a get it the **** done thing.

I did get a chance to do a five hour run this week. Had to swap out my house meter panel, so I fired up the generator to keep the power on after the utility pulled the cutout on the pole so that I could work. The line guys came over to see it running and loved it. All kinds of questions, opening doors, and looking at the gauges. 1800RPM is like a magnet for certain people.

All this snow up here and the power didn't go out once. It's so disappointing. I've been waiting for a week-long blackout like last year to justify my purchase with the wife-- who doesn't think highly of it (or the tractor.)

 

[Ray70]

You'll find that once you have a supply of generators on hand, the utility power will never go out again! I used to loose power 4 or 5 times a year.
Started buying MEP's about 10 years ago and I don't think we've lost power for more than a couple hours since!

 

[2Pbfeet]

I knew that there was an explanation for the uptime of the grid power now!