CNG EB Van Motor Oil Question

[seapointejim]

I have a Compressed Natural Gas 1997 EB Club Wagon that I'm thinking about outfitting to my needs. Transit company I bought it from shows 5w-30 Hdax, low ash oil was used. I can't find it except for 55 gallon drums. Closest thing I can find is Mobil 15w-40 Delvac CNG/LNG oil in gallon jugs. Any suggestions?

[Pntyrmvr]

See what the factory service manual says for an oil spec.

[carringb]

You don't need a low-ash oil.

150w-40 is far too heavy for your motor. It'll clatter like a diesel and you'll starve the bottom end of lubrication.

You can use any 5w-20 or 5w-30 synthetic-blend, or full-synthetic if you want to do extended intervals.

[carringb]

BTW - the low ash oil was probably to enable super-extended oil changes. The gaseous-powered modular engines were good for something like 30,000 mile oil changes, because there’s no possibility of fuel dilution or carbon buildup. But they still have to be done annually to remove moisture buildup, so those intervals only make sense for some applications.

[Vanimal]

Originally Posted by carringb

BTW - the low ash oil was probably to enable super-extended oil changes. The gaseous-powered modular engines were good for something like 30,000 mile oil changes, because there’s no possibility of fuel dilution or carbon buildup. But they still have to be done annually to remove moisture buildup, so those intervals only make sense for some applications.

Yes sir. I have a 5.4 CNG pickup which I go 8 to 10k on oil. Paying $2.40. Pissed it went up .20 cents in the last year!