oil additives & ZDDP

been losing sleep worring about not having ZDDP in my oil , with out it my MG may never make it over the Magic Mountian ride to dysney land..

on finding some STP Blue in the handimart and seeing that it had ZDDP identified on the contents i added a jug..
WOW .. i do not know if there is enough ZDDP there to make any difference but it sure did lower the tappet clatter, really put a damper on my sewing machine engine.. no wonder i think its about 500 weight oil ..
additionally i could see it in the oil presure guage , not as much drop off of pressure when the engine got to operationg temps [ it was over 50 anyway]
it may be a delusion but i think i could see it in my throttle settings/vacuum guage i make the same 30 mile run every day and try to keep the vacuum above 12 ., striving for 15 to ecomimize fuel , after adding that glue i swear it took 2-3 IN HG off my expected readings on certian conditins/throttle settings .i bet that stuff is costing me a mile per gallon or two [ but extending lifter and camlife !!]

if i had my druthers i would have added STP Red for 4 cyl engines its only about 250 weight i think and supposed to have more ZDDP ..

what do you think is this stuff worth the 3 $ .... will the little ZDDP in it help , will it gunk up my engine .. or should i go straight to the Bardahl like a real man ???

STP blue

Viscosity ......................................................................250 cSt@ 100°C

http://www.thecloroxcompany.com/products/msds/armorallstp/stpoiltreatment.pdf


STP Red

Viscosity ........................................................................110 cSt@100°C
This product contains Zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (1-5%), which is regulated
under Sara 313 and Section 304/CERCLA.

http://www.thecloroxcompany.com/products/msds/armorallstp/stp4cylinderoiltreatment.pdf

I just use VR1 20-50 and not think about it. With older rebuilds it may be a moot point anyways.

Michael:

First of all, unless you have a new cam and new lifters, you really don't have to be concerned (i.e., once your cam and lifters are broken in, you don't need ZDDP). Now, if you really want some of the stuff, GM has a new part number for their product EOS (but I don't have that number handy). It's an additive that you can add to your oil in between oil changes. GM also makes a pre lube (#12345501) that you can put on a newly assembled cam and lifters. This pre lube is heavy on ZDDP.

All this need for ZDDP has been way overhyped, IMHO. Once your engine is broken in, you really don't need it.

i think EOS has been discontinued...

http://www.mossmotors.com/graphics/products/PDF/220-805_inst.pdf

moss seems to indicate there is something to the ZDDP issue .. According to the SAE Tech Bulletin #770087
operation of a flat tappet engine without adequate EP additives such as ZDDP quickly leads to lifter foot scuffing and cam lobe wear. Camshafts are typically only surface hardened leaving the core ductile for strength. According to the SAE Bulletin, once cam lobe wear reaches 0.0002, "subsequent wear is usually rapid and catastrophic.

wow sounds serious ....

then theres bob the oil guy

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/

i can assure you though a jug of that molto thick Blue quelled the tappet clatter like a blanket...

i'd rather add the red , its thinner. so i suppose i will put a little Mystery Marval oil in to lighten the load..

additives make one feel like they are doing something useful..
even if they are just snake oil

This issue has been beaten like the proverbial "dead horse" but continues to raise concern for many. This month's issue of MGA magaxine had an excellent letter regarding this subject and Castrol Syntec 20-50W. Castrol now claims that they have not changed the formula in the 20-50 weight syntec because it does not have to meet the requirements for "catalyst compatability". It is said to be especially made for older & classic cars. They are even putting it on the label now.

See here:
http://www.castrol.com/castrol/genericarticle.do?categoryId=82915470&contentId=7032644

Bottom line, just keep using Castrol 20-50 Syntec and you'll be fine!

Tea4Two Wrote:

ingoldsb Wrote: [quote]
Quote:
once your cam and lifters are broken in, you don't need ZDDP
I have heard this said many times - but I know of no reason why that should be the case. If the cam and lifter design depended on the protection of the ZDDP molecule when they


most of the published (not internet "experts" but Hot Rod, Car Craft, and the like) articles indicate that the jury is still out on whether it is needed only at break in.

given that, I will continue to use VR1 or GTX with a dollop of STP

Mobile 1 extended 20/50 has 1200ppm of ZDDP, perfect for "classic" cars with flat tappets
Regards
Tony

avbates Wrote:

i think i will try that castrol syn on my next change .
it is problmatic to me since this engine has 93K and leaks oil, and i suppose burns it , no big smoke plume but i add @ 8 oz more or less every 500 miles, only find stage one leaks on the garage floor ,

and add some STP red f 4 cyl, the problem is finding it around here..

mac townsend Wrote:

Tom, I noticed that The containers of VR1 have a different graphic and it specifically lists ZDDP on the front.

cfrench Wrote:

tfisher7621 Wrote:

I got two qts last week at an Advanced Auto and the graphic was different from a month or so before that. The label being so up to date and still saying ZDDP was good news.