roller lifters and zinc

[SMOKEY44211]

Most modern engines seem to be using roller cam followers. My understanding is that the lube oil manufacturers blend zinc into thier additive package to lube the lifter to cam surface on engines using flat tappet followers. My question(s) are does anyone market an engine oil without this additive and is the ring to cylinder wall loading high enough to depend on the zinc? -----Phil

 

[drwebb]

ZDDP (the oil-soluble derivitave of Zinc) also functions as a very potent antioxidant. If it is removed either because its AW properties or its ash-forming debit aren't desired, then the resulting oxidation debit of the lubricant will have to be corrected by a better basestock or added organic AO's, offsetting or eliminating any cost savings. So my question is, even if you don't need the AW, what do you have against zinc?

 

[SMOKEY44211]

Drwebb. Thank you for the information. I was unaware of the duel function nature of the zinc. My understanding was that it gets consumed over time of engine operation mandating periodic changing or replenishment. My thought was by eliminating it lower cost of the product and extend oil change interval on roller equiped engines.----Phil

 

[MGAD]

DOES SYNTHETIC OILS USE ZINC IN THERE MIX ?

 

[drwebb]

Some do, some may not. The driver for reducing ZDDP in oils these days is not because it's expensive or "bad" for the oil, but because it is believed by the OEM's to reduce catalytic convertor life, which they must now warrant for 100K mi by US law. Molybdenum compounds can be used to replace the EP/AW properties of ZDDPs, but they aren't as potent antioxidants, so this defecit must be corrected with more expensive ashless AO's.

 

[Johnydep]

There is one oil I know of that claims to have no zinc.

It is made by a German caompany and is available all around the world. The company is called FUCHS, the oil is GT1.

http://www.fuchs-oil.com/index.php/titan1/1/

 

[Johnydep]

Just found out that FUCHS oil company has released more than one grade of zinc free oil. I originally thought the GT1 was only available as a 0w30, which I thought may be to low a viscosity for a lot of users. But they have released different grades;

http://www.fuchs-oil.com/index.php/special_motoroel/0/

It would be interesting to get an analysis on this oil to see what is used to take the place of zinc.
Some guys here;

http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/stories/oil-life.html

are doing an experiment on how long a synthetic engine oil can be safe to use, they have completed one and are onto the second now. They have a complete analysis of the oils as new and then at every 1000 miles. Very interesting.

Anyone else found a zinc free engine oil?

 

[drwebb]

If it's a high treat of ashless AO or EP/AW then you won't see them in a typical, metals-only oil analysis.