Zn oils - What do you use?

[sd427]

This may provide some useful information

https://www.accessnorton.com/Oil-Tests/NortonOil.php

[turbodog]

Originally Posted by Azhinoon

Always wanted to have the oil tested. Can you recommend a site that explains what the results mean for the uninformed. Have been using Delo on new engine for 5 years. No indication of any issues.

I use blackstone labs.

[twobjshelbys]

Every time I see one of these it's kind of like my hypochondriac sister going to another doctor.

He does another test that she has no knowledge of why or what its for.

Then she gets the results - even if normal - and then goes on the internet to look it up.

And all of a sudden she's dying.

If you're not having any problems then don't go getting all twisted up on a new test or its results. The engine is already old enough that you're not going to change anything. The time to start was the break in oil and the first few after that.

[cycleguy55]

From Bob is the Oil Guy "Motor Oil University". This was written nearly 11 years ago, so things have no doubt changed. For example, SN grade oil is now widely available, while the article indicates the author was looking forward to SM.

The following is from Part 7 - the link at the bottom is to Part 1. Read through all 7 sections for the full picture.

Concern: People are worried about the SM oils not having as much ZDDP as the SL and older oils. The reason ZDDP has been used for years is not because of its superior performance but rather its low cost and dual function as an antioxidant. It also has anticorrosive properties.

There are other additives. Some newer oils do not have any ZDDP, and they are excellent products. Just the same, I prefer oils with ZDP for now. The research shows that 0.03 is all that is needed and has the same function as higher levels. The only reason to have more is because your engine is consuming the ZDDP secondary to borderline lubrication from oil alone.

And lastly, too much can be corrosive itself and has shown in some tests to actually increase wear.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/motor-oil-101/

I don't know what oil was used for breaking in the cam and lifters as that happened long before I purchased it, but for the past 6+ years I've used SM or SN grade 5W30 full synthetic oil in the engine without problems. A high lift solid flat lifter cam with stronger valve springs is likely more subject to wiping lobes than my lower lift, hydraulic flat tappet cam, albeit with double springs w/dampers (open and seat pressures unknown).

[turbodog]

I agree that a known engine, broken in, and running well should not need testing, so to speak. But those tests can reveal air filter problems and coolant issues also.

Regarding air filter (silicon) contamination... some oils contain silicon (mobil1) and cause false positives. If you WANT to test, maybe call blackstone and ask what oils they recommend to not interfere with testing.

I pull samples about every 2 years in my daily drivers, and after engine work in my sports car.

The tests more than paid for themselves due to cutting WAY back on changes in my daily driver (from 3k to 12-15k changes). Even after 12-15k my oil is still WELL within spec on the additive package and contaminants are the same as they are at 3k miles.

[cycleguy55]

Originally Posted by turbodog

I agree that a known engine, broken in, and running well should not need testing, so to speak. But those tests can reveal air filter problems and coolant issues also.

Regarding air filter (silicon) contamination... some oils contain silicon (mobil1) and cause false positives. If you WANT to test, maybe call blackstone and ask what oils they recommend to not interfere with testing.

I pull samples about every 2 years in my daily drivers, and after engine work in my sports car.

The tests more than paid for themselves due to cutting WAY back on changes in my daily driver (from 3k to 12-15k changes). Even after 12-15k my oil is still WELL within spec on the additive package and contaminants are the same as they are at 3k miles.

I would think the best way to conduct testing would be to set aside a control sample of oil when performing an oil change, then withdrawing and comparing a sample of used oil to compare against the control sample. You should then have a true determination of the differences that occurred as a result of running the engine.

[turbodog]

Originally Posted by cycleguy55

I would think the best way to conduct testing would be to set aside a control sample of oil when performing an oil change, then withdrawing and comparing a sample of used oil to compare against the control sample. You should then have a true determination of the differences that occurred as a result of running the engine.

Yes, but that's largely academic. In addition, there's another quart trapped in the engine's crevices/etc that gets mixed when running... so you never get all the oil out when changing.

Blackstone has PLENTY of oil baselines to compare against. Hit their website and read some sample reports.

[ACHiPo]

Delos, according to Chevron, replaced most of the ZDDP in Delos with ash alternatives. Shell claims Rotella still has 1200 ppm ZDDP. Valvoline VR1 and Gibbs are other high zinc options.

[hauss]

I must confess I am a delo guy 300,000 on my truck pulling a 14,000 pd 5th wheel 3 transmissions nothing but change oil and filters on the motor still going strong. also read a lot of bob the oil guy you should read about the 10/40 quakerstate it blew away the competition big time I may switch to quakerstate just not sure witch one. I will have to reread bobs test on quakerstate.