Boxerworks.com

OK it's sort of an oil thread. But I think this is an important discussion. After my Vanagon motor blew up I became more profoundly aware of what the lack of ZDDP in oil does to motors with flat tappets. The blow up wasn't caused by motoroil, broken conrod bolts did it in. But, during the rebuild process I did a lot of research and this subject came up.
My cam was OK after only 20,000 miles, but some of the cams I saw down at the machine shop (where I had my crank reconditioned and a block prepared) were showing serious signs of deterioration and pitting. If you aren't aware of it, the EPA required motor oil companies to remove ZDDP (an important ingrediant for flat tappet lubrication) from passenger car motor oil (without telling anyone). Reason...the ingrediants in ZDDP have a detrimental effect on catalitic converters. Most motor oils no longer contain it or don't have enough. Passenger car oils are killing our bikes and all the other flat tappet engines out there.
Valvoline VR1 and Redline have it because it's "racing" oil not intended for the average passenger car. Some deisel oils have it still but the amount is not specified. It's difficult to find What % of ZDDP is necessary. There are additives. They are expensive, and there is some info out there that to much ZDDP is not good either. What are you doing to prolong the life of your cam and tappets?

I sell Conoco-Philips oils under the 76 and Kendal brands and have had this conversation with a couple of their lube techs.

This is wha I have learned:

Oils that have a zinc content of 0.12 or better are safe for use with flat tappet cams.

One oil chage with a modern oil (GF4 specs are 0.09 max) will not harm your engine. The example given was: if an cam will last 100,000 miles with high zinc oils then it will last about 60,000ish with nothing but modern (GF4) oils.

ZInc additives are not recommended as everyday use. They are intended forcam break-in period, and then a suitable oil should be used. A lot goes into oil formulation today and adding something to the oil that wasn't intended to be there is not wise.

GF5 passanger car oil specs are now out for2011 and newer vehicles and I asume that zinc levels are lower again, altough the main thrust of the latest specs has more to do with extended drain intervals and engine cleanlines. Many oil companies are going with a synthetic or syn blend to achieve the new spec. Let's not evan talk about what is a real synthetic.

These guys are all about oil for air-cooled boxers that have a couple more cylinders than our Airheads:

http://www.lnengineering.com/oil.html

I am using Brad Penn in the VWs at the recommendation of my T4 cam supplier. Presently, I'm ordering it in from LN, but Brad Penn lists a dealer 90 miles away (with some interesting roads to get there) and when the bike is fully functional I may start doing quarterly 'oil runs.' As I have the good stuff already on hand, it's in my Airhead, too.

I had been using Rotella 15W40, but in 2007 the zinc content of Rotella was reduced to fit the latest Diesel oil specs.

As I said before Valvoline VR1 has it (it's even advertised on the label) and it is readily available just about everywhere. The issue is, what % does it have? I heard that diesel oils are no longer reliable because the ZDDP levels have been reduced. I used the Lucas additive to break in the cam on the Wasserboxer. I plan to go with the Valvoline Racing on the van and the bike, but I sure would like to know if it's up to par. If a link exists out there that rates oil ZDDP levels, I'd like to see it.
The Valvoline website says this
in ther FAQ section

5.What solutions does Valvoline offer to the zinc issue?

Valvoline offers two solutions to the zinc issue:

1.Valvoline VR1: Contains 75% higher zinc than SM motor oil with a balanced additive package designed to work in both racing and street-legal applications. This product will protect older style push-rod and flat tappet engines. Valvoline provides this product in both multi and mono viscosity grades: 20w50, straight 50, 10w30, straight 30, straight 40, and straight 60.
2.Longer-Lasting Zinc/Phosphorus: Valvoline uses an advanced zinc/phosphorus additive that keeps higher levels of phosphorus in the motor oil where it protects the engine instead of poisoning the catalytic converter. Valvoline is the only brand offering this unique additive across its entire line of passenger car motor oils including SynPower -- the only synthetic offering this additive.

6.Which oil has more zinc/ZDDP: VR1 or "Not Street Legal" oil?

Valvoline VR1 Racing Oil contains .13% of Zinc and .12% of Phosphorus compared to the Valvoline "Not Street Legal" Racing Oil which contains .14% of Zinc and .13% of Phosphorus.

I think .12% is the amount that is being agreed upon as the correct level of ZDDP. If this is the case Valvolin VR1 should be OK to use. Right?

This is a bit dated, but has some specs: http://www.soslube.com/g2156.pdf

Finding proper oil specs is not that easy.

mattcfish wrote:What are you doing to prolong the life of your cam and tappets?

By using BMW's 20w50 oil. It's formulated by Golden Spectro.

Kurt in S.A.

It has always been my understanding that ZDDP is "used up" under extreme-load situations, so a lower ZDDP percentage can, within reason, be dealt with by more frequent oil changes.