Rotella substitute ?
 

I can't find the Rotella for $20/gal. anymore. :(
Would this Valvoline work just as well ?
NAPA has it on sale for $20. I'm thinking I should grab a case of 'em.


http://partimages.genpt.com/largeimages/214173.jpg

Since you posted in the 2stroke section I assume you are using this for the tranny. If so I would not spend the extra on synthetic. Just use the Rotella 15w40.

I would say the Valvoline would be good as well just a little more $.

I would steer clear unless you know the amount of friction modifier used.

The nice thing about rotella (both dino and syn) is that it is jaso ma (motorcycle rating) approved for use in wet clutch motorcycles - so no clutch slippage due to addition of friction modifier....

jeff

The 15W-40W works good, just a bit more drag when cold.

Like web master said rotella non-sythetic 15-40 "triple protection" has the jaso ma or motorcycle approval rating. Other diesel oils may not or do not. Even rotella sythetic is not jaso ma approved. Not that it means anything but like webmaster said it could cause clutch problems with friction modifiers.

I switched from Rotella to Amsoil 0w-40. I like the Amsoil much better even at twice the price. Much less clutch drag than the Rotella and much easier to find neutral.

I was at Walmart a few months ago and the synthetic that they had on the shelf (might have been semi syn), a 5w40 was also jaso ma rated.

jeff

p.s. I just checked the rotella website and rotella t6 full synthetic 5w40 has a jaso ma (motorcycle w/ wet clutch) rating :

http://www.shell.com/home/Framework?...t6_detail.html

I just tried some Mobile Delvac 15w40 and I like it much better than the Rotella 5w40 syn I had been using. It is dino and didn't list any "Resource Conserving" (the new label for what used to be Energy Conserving). The clutch squeal was much better and, when hot, would still start in gear. I don't think anyone leaves it in long enough to need syn anyways. Its also really cheap (even cheaper than house brand, less than $10/gallon) and at Wallys place. It is a diesel oil and it was cheaper than dino Rotella.

i have been considering switching from amsoil 0w-40 (which works great) to amsoil 0w-20w or 0w-30w to eliminate hot clutch drag (but i think there are friction modifiers in it.... ) i am waiting on a reply from amsoil for some specs... i have run rotella in the past (and still do in many other bikes..), but i like the 0w-40 amsoil much better in the gasser trans......

Probably more pertainent to four strokes but here you go.
http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Oils1.html