Cam & Lifter failure - oil-related?

[gerryvz]

A good article from HOT ROD magazine that discusses this.

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engi ... index.html

Bottom line is that if you are running dino oil in your older-engined car, you should probably be running Chevron DELO or Shell Rotella-T which has the correct additive packages.

I'm switching my cars from here on out from Chevron Supreme to Chevron DELO.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[gsxr]

Looks like I may not have been as crazy as some may have thought for running diesel oil (usually synthetic) in my M119's! For dino I usually use Delvac 1300 Super. Click here to see a Mobil-1 spec sheet showing the ZDDP content for their synthetic formulas.

I use the 5W-40 "TDT" stuff most of the time. Note that ZDDP levels alone are NOT the only thing to consider... for example, the M-1 15W-50 has even higher levels of ZDDP, but in my experience the viscosity starts to shear down by 4-5kmi and consumption increases dramatically. This indicates (IMO) a cheaper base stock than the 5W-40, which doesn't exhibit such behavior.

 

[Christian_K]

Very interesting, i heard about those anti-wear additives for the first time actually....

 

[tuttebenne]

I was under the impression zinc was removed because it had a negative impact on the almight MPG; Hot Rod says it was to stop fouling all those O2 sensors out there? Since when did an oil or auto manufacturer give two hoots about an O2 sensor?

It is getting harder and harder to find an in-service Zinc additive to supplement many of the commercially available oils. If anyone comes across one, please post up.

 

[gerryvz]

I've switched from 20W-50 Chevron Supreme motor oil (dino) to the dino 15W-40 Chevron Delo 400 motor oil, which has higher levels of zinc/ZDDP in the oil. Any Chevron station should carry Delo 400. It's a good quality oil that is widely available. I buy it in gallon containers but it is also available by the quarts/case. BTW, I use this Delo 400 for my dino-oil cars - the 1989 560SEC, the 1995 E320T and the 1987 560SL.

For my E500, I've always run synthetic oil. I have used black label Mobil 1 European Car Formula for the past few years, and I think 5W-50 Mobil 1 before that. More recently, I have (at GSXR's recommendation) changed over to the Mobil 1 TDT (Turbo Diesel Truck) full-synthetic oil. Still planning to try Royal Purple soon though.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[DerFuror]

It is getting harder and harder to find an in-service Zinc additive to supplement many of the commercially available oils. If anyone comes across one, please post up.

Here & elsewhere, gerryvz & gsxr provide a plethora of info regarding existing zddp motor oils to choose from; another is Collector's Choice 20W-50 engine oil.

But if you are looking for an additive itself: ZDDPlus Engine Oil Additive

http://www.zddppluscentral.com/

Just be aware this particular product is not for use with catalytic converters

 

[samiam44]

Remember ZDDP is only effective when it's up to operating temperatures. Good stuff, but not a save-all. There are other additives which help. I think MB coated the cams which helps prevent scuffing damage.

Delo was the first oil to receive world-one acceptance by every engine manufacture. Chevron in the usa, has their own plants where many big advertised brands do not. So I think consistency and quality of the Chevron or Mobil would be better.
What oil did the M119 require when introduced in 1988? SD oil? I would think anything made to day, exceeds SD. FYI, when consumer report(?) random tested motor oils- 90% did not meet the ratings on the bottles.

Michael