Do you really have to change the oil in your Bus Engine?

[Tedsoldbus]

2 trips or 10 a year, I change once a year. I keep hearing oil loses its viscosity just sitting in the metal oil pan. I need 6 gallons of Rotella straight 40 and I put a bottle of Lucas in same time. I do this as it was recommended by 3 old FMCA guys that were full time mechanics. And my FIL who had a 4106 for 30 years. At $25 per jug plus the Lucas, it can't hurt to do what they said.
It is about the cheapest thing I have had to do on my bus. New inverter, new fridge, new toilet, all new batterys, bla, bla, bla.
My Walmart quit taking used diesel oil. I have a guy do it. Not sure what to do with 6 gallons of yuk oil in my driveway.

[luvrbus]

I don't understand people shopping for low ash oil for the old 2 cycle engine then adding a additive full of ash that Detroit never approved 

[Van]

I don't understand people shopping for low ash oil for the old 2 cycle engine then adding a additive full of ash that Detroit never approved 

Wait a minute... I thought all oils were the same, aren't they?🤔🤫

[Tedsoldbus]

I don't understand any of it, but Gary asked for opinions.
That's why I asked bus mechanics and long time bus owners what to use and why. Three oil changes later that I put in Lucas, my two little oil leaks stopped. Not a drop. I'll run with that.
I've had to replace or repair a  lot of things. Trying not to have my engine be one of them.

[luvrbus]

I don't understand any of it, but Gary asked for opinions.
That's why I asked bus mechanics and long time bus owners what to use and why. Three oil changes later that I put in Lucas, my two little oil leaks stopped. Not a drop. I'll run with that.
I've had to replace or repair a  lot of things. Trying not to have my engine be one of them.

I use Lucas hub oil it is a stabilizer that thickens the oil,the engine oil comes in a petroleum base and paraffin (wax) base I use nothing in the Mobil Delvac 1240  petroleum base in a 2 cycle engine,Detroit says use nothing except approved oil,I been into a lot of old Detroits and never saw where Lucas helped any,but people use what they believe works

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

Wait a minute... I thought all oils were the same, aren't they?🤔🤫

Yeah, pretty much.   

[freds]

Yeah, pretty much.   

LOL!!!

[ProfessionalVagabond]

If you have a Series 60 I think Mobile Delvac Super 1300 was developed originally for the Series 60. I used to use Chevron Delo 400 but switched years ago to the DelVac. It's very reasonable to purchase and the MAIN reason I switched is when you review the engineering content report the TBN number scores much higher than Chevron and alot of others and actually is very close to synthetic. Have never regretted it. I don't use synthetic in diesels because if you look after them and treat them right they will pretty.much out live you. Or you will get tired of it and want a new/different one.

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

It cost me $ 30 for the test with cat and that is a lot cheaper then when I change my oil , a lot less time to do it plus get rid of the old oil

Generally I only send in a small sample of oil, same as I do with a Urine Sample.  Do you really send in all the oil you drain out of your pan to the Cat House to test and let them dispose of it? 

[DaBus]

Little late here, but I know for sure Greyhound Canada changed engine oil. My uncle worked at the 'bus garage' in Regina Canada in the 60's and 70's. I worked in the truck dealership next door. Greyhound mechanics poured the used oil into the fuel tank, winter or summer. I don't know what the change interval was but the truck dealer recommended 10k miles  for Cat, Cummins and Detroit at that time. We started using 15-40 in the big cam Cummins in the 70's but remained with straight grade 30 and 40 in the Cats and Detroits.