Rotella 10 or equivalent

[lcmuseum]

Hi all, the London CanalMuseum has a 1960 Wickham canal towpath tractor fitted with the original Lister JP2 diesel engine. For the first time in a couple of years or so we ran in in early September to attend a festival and I drove it through the streets of London. (Yes I am insured!)

Anyway the oil could do with topping up, I only need a pint or so. We have original drawings that state the oil should be “Shell Rotella 10 or equivalent”. I cannot find this oil for sale now even though Rotella is still Shell brand in the USA and I cannot find anyone selling 10W30 or 10W40 Rotella in small bottles.

I am wondering if anyone has any advice they can offer about what the best oil would be to buy and where to get it from. was “Rotella 10” a multigrade oil like 10W30? Or did they not specify the hot viscocity in those days? Unfortunately engine oil isn’t my specialist subject but I feel sure someone is an expert!

[john-e-w]

Google it – try Amazon

John E-W

[charlie]

I would suggest contacting Shell to see what they recommend as a substitute. Another company worth trying is https://www.morrislubricants.co.uk/ I use their oil in a number of my machines.

[urbanalfa]

Rotella is a monograde, low detergent oil. Different grades were specified depending on ambient temperature, resulting in different oils being used in summer and winter. 10w30 is a multigrade oil that behaves like a 10 grade oil at low temperatures and a 30 grade oil at high temperatures

For use in the UK, SAE10 sounds low – I believe SAE20 was recommended for the Lister JP2 in the UK, although SAE30 was also sometimes used.

Any brand could be used – it doesn’t need to be Shell.

[davidbliss]

I only run a few things now, but do have the old slow running petter diesel, old pre first WW1 car and modern stuff all run on Shell Helix 15-40, some time ago had to have the Helix plus for some engine that was a bit more expensive, it can be got in 4 litres.

[Author]

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