Zink Oil Additive

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   A previous post about oil got me to thinking about the recommendation to use a zink additive to oil in old engines. Any documentation exist to support it? 

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MBWisc Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Silver Level Joined: 13 Apr 2011 Points: 103	Post Options Post Reply Quote MBWisc Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Zink Oil Additive Posted: 17 Jun 2012 at 8:46am
	A previous post about oil got me to thinking about the recommendation to use a zink additive to oil in old engines. Any documentation exist to support it?

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Gerald J. Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Hamilton Co, IA Points: 5636	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gerald J. Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Jun 2012 at 9:36am
	The common slippery zinc additive has been reduced in the latest gas engine oils because it can damage the catalytic converter if there's oil consumption and most recent automotive engines have roller cam followers, not sliding cam followers. As far as I know, diesel oils still have a full dose of the zinc additive or an equivalent. And most of those diesel oils also carry a gas engine rating. Oil makers claim their latest oil is good for engines of all ages in that department, some racers and vintage engine rebuilders disagree, having had rapid camshaft wear with the lower zinc oils. There have been web pages and blogs on the topic, but I don't have any links at hand today. Gerald J.

DougS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 03 Nov 2011 Location: Iowa Points: 2490	Post Options Post Reply Quote DougS Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Jun 2012 at 9:57am
	From what I know, zinc is generally best for providing additional lubrication in engines that have short moments of high RPMs. Zinc tends to "stick" to metals and it provides a sacrificial layer of protection during short moments when there are high revolutions and not enough oil flow to lubricate during the revolutions. Zinc is also a poison. Don't quote me on this, but I believe the EPA had a hand in the reduction of zinc in motor oils. As for catalytic converters, diesels use them now too. In a nutshell, I doubt that zinc would be of much value in a slower older tractor engine. The usual questions I've always seen in regard to older engines is: detergent or non-detergent?

bitburn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 07 Jun 2012 Location: Indiana Points: 36	Post Options Post Reply Quote bitburn Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Jun 2012 at 4:11pm
	I believe the EPA is lowering Zinc and phosphate content mostly due the toxicity to aquatic life. Zinc is an essential mineral for humans, but toxic in large quantities. I have also seen rumors that diesel oil ZDDP levels have also been reduced.

Rawleigh Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Location: White Stone, VA Points: 421	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rawleigh Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 Jun 2012 at 11:41am
	They were when the new rating came out for the trucks with cats.

427435 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 18 Nov 2010 Location: SE Minnesota Points: 18637	Post Options Post Reply Quote 427435 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 Jun 2012 at 2:58pm
	High levels of zinc are needed for high lift (racing) camshafts----especially when they are being broken in. That's hardly the case with an old tractor engine--------either worn or freshly rebuilt. However, you can go to an oil manufacturer's website (at least the good oil manufacturers) and find their oil specs including zinc content.
	Mark B10 Allis, 917 Allis, 7116 Simplicity, 7790 Simplicity Diesel, GTH-L Simplicity Ignorance is curable-----stupidity is not.

mlpankey Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 13 Sep 2009 Location: Vols country Points: 4580	Post Options Post Reply Quote mlpankey Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 Jun 2012 at 3:33pm
	yeap just needed for cam break in.