Originally Posted by pdogg

I'm no expert... just saying that CJ is the future...and everyone on here is trashing it as garbage, probably because amsoil told them so..

Originally Posted by HOHN

I saw a note in a recent issue of "Lubes and Greases" which is a trade publication of sorts.

It showed that in large fleet usage, many fleets are still using a CI-4 in violation of 2007+ requirements. It turns out it's cheaper in some cases to replace the DPF when it's poisoned from the CI, than to shorten the intervals and go with the CJ.

PDogg: you are correct the CJ-4 *is* the future. But you are mistaken if you think that Cummins is a "framer" of the spec. Oil specs are set by the API. Hence, you have to buy a license from the API if you want to market your oil with the "donut" on it. Each oil manufacturer submits samples for testing and the API tests them to make sure they meet the minimum performance specs, yet doesn't exceed the maximum specs for bad things: SAPS, etc.

If you were an engine manufacturer having a new oil spec forced on you, wouldn't you want to participate in that process to make sure your engines will survive with it? Hence, the inclusion of the Cummins B and M as some of the engines in the CJ test profile. Cummins participation in this is most likely through the partnership of the EMA (Engine Manufacturer's Association) and the API. It's a big bureaucratic mess between the EPA, API, EMA, and various engine and oil companies.

As for the Cummins logo being on a bottle of oil, that's Cummins' partnership with Ashland, AKA Valvoline. Cummins uses and endorses Premium Blue exclusively. This isn't because Delo or Rotella is an inferior oil and only PB is up to par.

It's because Cummins basically got to drive the additive recipe for PB. Cummins isn't an oil company, and they have no interest in selling oil. But Ashland offered Cummins the chance to tailor a lube to their exact preferences, and Cummins jumped at the chance, with their top lube guys tweaking an oil formulation that delivered the most of what Cummins thought was important.

So whether a person likes valvoline or not, the PB is essentially a Cummins-designed oil manufactured by Ashland.

CJ-4 will eventually be a very significant change in HD lubrication, probably on par with what Fuel Injection did to gas engines 25 years ago. Unfortunately, the additives that can meet the requirements are still being developed, as the oil standbys of ZDDP ZDTP, MoS2, etc are no longer allowed in high concentrations.

JH