Detergent oil

Dave Cook · May 5, 2011

An associate and his father have a number of green tractors. I've mentioned my intent to (after I have it good and warmed up) drain the oil, clean the pan out, and replace the oil with a multi viscosity like 15-40. He's been pretty adamant about staying away from detergent blends, stating that the tractor will smoke, foul plugs, etc. Anything to that? Should I avoid detergent oils and stick to non detergent? Anybody have a brand preference? Thanks.

Red Dave · May 5, 2011

I don't know of any reason to stick with non-detergent oil.

Cleaning out the oil pan and filling it with 15-40 is what I would do too. Any quality brand should be just fine.

The only thing I use non-detergent oil in is the air cleaner, and that is just because I have some to use up and don't want it in a crankcase.

Ludwig · May 5, 2011

Agreed I've been using detergent oil in my Super M for 10 years now with no ill effects.
Figure the first change or two to be shorter since you'll probably be removing gunk thats built up in the engine but after that it should be fine.

MN Mike · May 5, 2011

detergent oil is all I run in my 340. 15-40 for summer and 10-40/10-30 for the cold MN winters. it performs better than the straight weight that was available back then. your tractor will thank you for the switch.

old · May 5, 2011

That is just an old Wives tale and is about as good an idea as the wives tail about running the lead additives and both are false. Detergent oils are just fine and the likely hood of them not being run in most tractors a guy would buy is super low since the non-detergent oil is getting hard to find

MNGB · May 5, 2011

Detergent oil do not contain scrubbing bubbles that clean the engine, the word detergent is / was a marketing phrase to sell a new additive oil 50 / 60 years ago. The ture description should be ashless dispersant oil or AD oil which means there are additive in the oil to keep carbon and other blow by contaminants in suspension so the oil filter can remove them whats to small for the filter stay in suspension and is draine at oil change. So using modern det oils is a good thing.
GB in MN

oldtanker · May 5, 2011

Gb is right.

As the oil is sucked up at the sump And runs back into the pan it creates currents in the oil pan. If there are deposits it may, key word being may wash them loose causing them to be suspended and filtered. I've known several people who have plugged up oil filters pretty quick when changing from non detergent to detergent......but not in years. I know no one currently using non detergent.

Rick.....also in Mn

David G · May 5, 2011

No issue with detergent oil.

NEKS · May 5, 2011

I thought people quit using nondetergent in engines in the forties. You can still get it because I use to sell it to packing plant in the 55 gallon drums

CNKS · May 5, 2011

If detergent causes loosening of crud and damages the engine, it was just a matter of time until it needed to be overhauled anyway. That said, I have no qualms at all with detergent in any old engine. Detergent oil was used in all my dads tractors in the 50's. It is a Myth.

53 super H · May 5, 2011

My super H has had 10-40 motorcraft oil in it for the last 20 yrs. No problems and it doesn't use any oil.

Nebraska Cowman · May 6, 2011

If they tractor belongs to someone else.... I'd be pretty adamant about telling you to do as you're told. Once you own tractors of your own you can do as you please. Yes, I run multi weight in mine.

dhermesc · May 6, 2011

"stating that the tractor will smoke, foul plugs, etc."

I use detergentated in all my vehicles and it doesn't do this to them, why would it do this to older engines.

Detergent oil

Dave Cook

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Red Dave

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Ludwig

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MN Mike

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old

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MNGB

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oldtanker

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David G

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NEKS

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CNKS

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53 super H

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Nebraska Cowman

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dhermesc

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