Do You Need To Add Zinc To Your Oil?

[Achto 27,570]

I know this subject has been beat to death. I found some info that you guys may like to see.

 

I know liquid cooled and air cooled engines are different. Most classic engine builders recommend that the zinc / ZDDP in the oil should be around 1000ppm if you are running flat tappets. Here is a chart that shows the zinc and phosphorus levels in some of the oils that we might be using. I noticed that Rotella (my fav Kohler oil) already has a zinc level 1,450ppm.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/the-toolbox/zddp-content-chart-high-zinc-oil-list-brand-breakdown/32479

 

Hope this will help some with the decision to add zinc or not to your brand of oil.

Edited February 16, 2023 by Achto

[ri702bill 8,318]

Good info in that chart. I've been using Rotella in all my small engine stuff for a while. Prior to that, straight 30 weight with a splash of zinc addative...

[Sailman 1,291]

I ordered this on e-bay https://www.ebay.com/itm/171998028874?epid=1620609043&hash=item280be1a44a:g:2VAAAOSwQl1gHZt3

Original Kohler OEM SAE 30 with zink. Just another option.

Edited February 16, 2023 by Sailman

[Tonytoro416 1,034]

I use AMSOIL ZROD. It has around 1100ppm of zinc. Helps that I am a dealer also lol 😂 

[WHX?? 48,815]

I add it at the advice of Greasy Pete. Maybe I don't have to? 

Don't want to P off the Pete tho. That might incur a wrath worse than P off the Pope.

Is there a crime in having too much in?

I use Rotella in my finer built engines but the smokers just get the cheapest oil I can lay my grubby hands on. 

3 minutes ago, Tonytoro416 said:

Helps that I am a dealer also lol 😂 

I would guess so... I would like use more of their products without taking out a mortgage. 

[Achto 27,570]

3 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

I would like use more of their products without taking out a mortgage.

 

Take up a dealer ship. Be a good retirement hobby for you. 

[Achto 27,570]

15 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

Is there a crime in having too much in?

 

If you were to ask any oil manufacturer they would say "Adding anything to our oil will mess up the formulation" AKA to cover our own butts, don't add anything.

Edited February 16, 2023 by Achto

[Tonytoro416 1,034]

Contact me if anyone is interested in the AMSOIL products.  I can get you guys a price cut on products 

[Tonytoro416 1,034]

Just now, Achto said:

 

If you were to ask any oil manufacturer they would say "Adding any thing to our oil will mess up the formulation" AKA to cover our own butts, don't add any thing.

They definitely do that.  I know amsoil has that disclaimer

[WHX?? 48,815]

13 minutes ago, Achto said:

 

Take up a dealer ship. Be a good retirement hobby for you. 

I would if I could get internet faster than the carrier pigeon service I have now. 

Edited February 16, 2023 by WHX??

[lynnmor 7,305]

41 minutes ago, Sailman said:

I ordered this on e-bay https://www.ebay.com/itm/171998028874?epid=1620609043&hash=item280be1a44a:g:2VAAAOSwQl1gHZt3

Original Kohler OEM SAE 30 with zink. Just another option.

I just bought from this this place for half the price.

[cafoose 3,355]

1 hour ago, WHX?? said:

I would if I could get internet faster than the carrier pigeon service I have now. 

Seriously thinking of getting this eventually

https://www.starlink.com/

[Racinbob 11,075]

Geez! You guys just tick me off. I've been hearing so much about zinc that you've got me wondering. Actually, more like believing. One thing I won't do is switch from the lubricating products that have never failed me for decades. But I'm certainly thinking about that Rislone additive. I'm thinking it would be a good idea but then my thoughts go to the "why mess with something that has always worked?" logic. As an additive would it actually do the job? Gotta ponder and research more. 

[ebinmaine 67,464]

I've read on Redsquare and other places that too much IS an issue. Something pertaining to corrosive properties I believe.  

 

Given that though... I don't know if I've seen an "upper limit number".   

 

 

I've been using Kinetix HD30 or 10w30 at the recommendation of 2 local small engine repair shops.  

 

Price is VERY fair. 

I can't find it now but the formulation was over 1000 ppm as interwebs demand.  

 

 

[Racinbob 11,075]

17 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

I've read on Redsquare and other places that too much IS an issue. Something pertaining to corrosive properties I believe.  

 

Given that though... I don't know if I've seen an "upper limit number".   

 

 

I've been using Kinetix HD30 or 10w30 at the recommendation of 2 local small engine repair shops.  

 

Price is VERY fair. 

I can't find it now but the formulation was over 1000 ppm as interwebs demand.  

 

 

 

Oh that's just great Eric. Throw another point to ponder in the mix. 

[ebinmaine 67,464]

7 minutes ago, Racinbob said:

 

Oh that's just great Eric. Throw another point to ponder in the mix. 

Somehow I knew you'd appreciate that Bob

 

 

😂😂😂

[gloubigoulba 87]

hello, oils are much more performant than in 70' . In France ,we don"t add anything to oil ( diesel 10w40 is fine)  We just use add in gazoline because it's unlead. That prevents valves damages . 

 

 

[Brockport Bill 1,661]

6 hours ago, lynnmor said:

I just bought from this this place for half the price.

i clicked on your link and it comes up 10w 30 Kohler oil -  not 30w with zinc added - - so i did search in their search field and nothing comes up for 30w - - are you referring to the 10w30 being half the price as 30 w - did they ship to you or was it picked up in their Indiana store? thanks

[squonk 41,097]

7 hours ago, WHX?? said:

 

Is there a crime in having too much in?

 

 

Too much zinc can cause acids to form:

If you have too much ZDDP, you start to see corrosive wear and cause another problem. Adding an excess causes the oil to become acidic, and before you know, you're wearing cams, bearings and bushings because of too much ZDDP.

 

 Once you get about 1,500 ppm, ZDDP starts having the opposite effect inside the engine and gets corrosive, which can clog up the oil passages and cause premature wear inside the engine.

 

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/the-toolbox/zinc-additive-for-oil-how-much-zddp-is-enough/32478

[c-series don 8,698]

I’ve always ran SAE 30 in my K-series with no issues. If I were to add zinc at oil change, how much would be the correct amount? 

[ebinmaine 67,464]

1 minute ago, c-series don said:

I’ve always ran SAE 30 in my K-series with no issues. If I were to add zinc at oil change, how much would be the correct amount? 

What brand oil? 

[Brockport Bill 1,661]

the reason i now buy the Kohler label zinc supplemented oil ( syn blend of either 30w or 10w30 ) with them having added the proper amount of zinc is....... i have confidence that if Kohler helped develop and engineer the formula for their older Kohler engines, then i don't have to guess or calculate what brand oil i am buying, or how much zinc additive I should be adding by my own supplement measurement

[Brockport Bill 1,661]

here's the Kohler oil

[c-series don 8,698]

@ebinmaineI’m very good friends with the guys that own my local Carquest Auto Parts store so I’ve been using Carquest oil. I’m actually not sure who makes it though? But I’m going to find out! 

Edited February 16, 2023 by c-series don

[Brockport Bill 1,661]

10 minutes ago, c-series don said:

@ebinmaineI’m very good friends with the guys that own my local Carquest Auto Parts store so I’ve been using Carquest oil. I’m actually not sure who makes it though? But I’m going to find out! 

when you ask Carquest buddies  - might be insightful to ask for the various ppm in the ZDDP for the zinc, phosphorus etc