Farm Equipment - Zink Oil Additive

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Zink Oil Additive

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Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
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URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52213
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Topic: Zink Oil Additive

Posted By: MBWisc
Subject: Zink Oil Additive
Date 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?

Replies:

Posted By: Gerald J.
Date 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.

Posted By: DougS
Date 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?

Posted By: bitburn
Date 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.

Posted By: Rawleigh
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2012 at 11:41am

They were when the new rating came out for the trucks with cats.

Posted By: 427435
Date 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.

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Mark

B10 Allis, 917 Allis, 7116 Simplicity, 7790 Simplicity Diesel,
GTH-L Simplicity

Ignorance is curable-----stupidity is not.

Posted By: mlpankey
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2012 at 3:33pm

yeap just needed for cam break in.

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people if they don't already know it you can't tell them. quote yogi berra