Economist Article: "The Difference Engine: All change, oil change"

[Kovs]

Popcorn ready.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2010/11/tribology&fsrc=nwl

[McGyver]

thats interesting. my friend's dad told me that he uses rotella in all their cars, and now i guess i know why.

[FredK]

Plunging ZDDP levels causing accelerated wear on engines has been a known problem for quite a while.

Mobil1 15W-50 is a good choice in most older BMW engines.

[nando]

just use M1 15w50 and forget about it. ;)

It actually has more ZDDP in it than those diesel oils, and it's not formulated for an entirely different kind of engine..

[tjts1]

just use M1 15w50 and forget about it. ;)

It actually has more ZDDP in it than those diesel oils, and it's not formulated for an entirely different kind of engine..

Survey says NO.

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Car_Care/AskMobil/Zinc_Levels_15W50_Mobil_1_Products.aspx

Its the same 1200-1300 ppm.

EDIT: And since when did the economist start to care about ZDDP? Nice find.

[Hick]

FWIW, I used Amsoil HDD (Heavy-Duty Diesel) in my m20 and m42

Phosphorus 1266 ppm
Zinc 1379 ppm

Just about the same ppm for the entire Amsoil line

[NigelStu]

Amsoil 'premium protection' 10w40 and 20w50 and AME 15w40 diesel oil are about the same as the HDD for Zn/Ph levels too.


Anyone running sans cat (like on a track car), any of the 'not for street use' racing oils would be good also. Amsoil Dominator, Bradd Penn grade 1, Valvoline VR-1, Mobil 1, Redline, etc.


There is a TON of info on www.bobistheoilguy.com not the easiest site to find the info, but a lot is there...



Is this type of wear a real concern in the M20 engines? Has anyone (especially those who track their cars) seen cam wear related failure when using recent oil with less zind/phosphorus levels?? Is the facotry requirement higher ZDDP content? Amsoil site has recommendations of 'SM' grade, which is the newest grade and does not require as much ZDDP...

[chrisesteschiro]

I run amsoil racing 15/50 myself. More expensive but much cheaper than a rebuild.

[xwill112x]

run rotella 15-40 in the m42. it seems to like it, less ticking suprisingly.

[nando]

Survey says NO.

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Car_Care/AskMobil/Zinc_Levels_15W50_Mobil_1_Products.aspx

Its the same 1200-1300 ppm.

EDIT: And since when did the economist start to care about ZDDP? Nice find.

well at least it's formulated for the proper engine. the additives packages of a diesel oil isn't anything like a gasoline version.

run rotella 15-40 in the m42. it seems to like it, less ticking suprisingly.

you prove your stupidity once again. The M42 doesn't have solid lifers like an M20. it doesn't care about ZDDP in the same way.

[xwill112x]

and you prove your ignorance thinking that was my point. diesel oils aren't bad for gas engines, and 90% of the time its cheaper, and better for it. they have more detergents to keep the engine cleaner, and better lurication qaulities, so why not get it? jesus. find someone else to follow around and jump to conclusions about.

[Bimmerman325i]

Good information in the article.

British editorial writing conventions are a bit different.

[tjts1]

well at least it's formulated for the proper engine. the additives packages of a diesel oil isn't anything like a gasoline version.

Citation needed.

Rotella 5W40 has an API SM gasoline rating.

[nando]

so? since when did API ratings actually mean anything?

and are you really going to run a 5w40 oil in an M20? do you live in northern alberta? :p

[nando]

and you prove your ignorance thinking that was my point. diesel oils aren't bad for gas engines, and 90% of the time its cheaper, and better for it. they have more detergents to keep the engine cleaner, and better lurication qaulities, so why not get it? jesus. find someone else to follow around and jump to conclusions about.

"more detergents"

but what KIND of detergents? Also, more detergents means less base stock. Just like dino oils with huge temperature ranges have more viscosity modifiers and less base stock.

and yes, you are a moron. :p