so what is the deal ? (ZDDP)

do Rotella 15-40 still have ZDDP or not ?
thanks.

(quoted from post at 07:10:43 03/19/18) do Rotella 15-40 still have ZDDP or not ?
thanks.

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As far as I know all engine oils have ZDDP as a part of their formulation.

TOH

you are correct but I have read at various places on the "net" that the ZDDP level in Rotella 15-40 has been reduced to the same level as regular eng. oils making the Rotella no more effect for "flat tappet" engines than regular motor oil ??????

(quoted from post at 08:51:29 03/19/18) you are correct but I have read at various places on the "net" that the ZDDP level in Rotella 15-40 has been reduced to the same level as regular eng. oils making the Rotella no more effect for "flat tappet" engines than regular motor oil ??????

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Those rumors have been circulating for years. I can't speak definitively about what is coming out of the blending line today but as of Q4 last year used oil analysis of the T4 and T6 products showed Phosphorus levels in excess of 1100 PPM.

That said I will once again caution that phosphorous (in the form of ZDDP) is not the only anti-wear additive used in modern engine oils. It had been the anti-wear/anti-oxidation compound of choice for 50+ years because it was cheap and effective. But it had a downside - it poisoned catalytic converters. So for the last 10+ years the industry has been hard at work developing a whole host of alternative anti-wear/anti-oxidant compounds (boron, molybdenum, titanium, etc) which when used in conjunction with reduced levels of phosphorous (e.g. ZDDP) are every bit as effective as higher concentrations of ZDDP alone. There are hundreds of controlled laboratory tests demonstrating that performance. Or more simply put - you cannot determine the effectiveness of the anti-wear package in an engine oil by looking at it's Zn/P content. And if your concern is old Ford tractors the reduced level of ZDDP in many modern engine oils doesn't matter in the slightest. These tractors have low speed/low performance engines with low pressure valve springs and very mild cams that have never needed, do not currently need, and will not benefit from levels of phosphorous greater that 600 PPM.

TOH

I only started using the Rotella a few years ago after reading all the posts here about the benefits of ZDDP. now I have read that because of new Govt Regs and the newer diesel engines that have CC's as part of emissions that ZDDP has been reduced.

think I will go back to buying whatever is on sale.

Thank you!

(quoted from post at 09:54:36 03/19/18) I only started using the Rotella a few years ago after reading all the posts here about the benefits of ZDDP. now I have read that because of new Govt Regs and the newer diesel engines that have CC's as part of emissions that ZDDP has been reduced.

think I will go back to buying whatever is on sale.

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I put ZDDP up there as one of the greatest con jobs ever foisted on the automotive consumer. It has been used as marketing hype by every niche oil blender/aftermarket additive maker in the world - most notably Richard Clark at ZPlus. To hear him tell it he is motivated only by his desire to protect the heritage of old flat tappet engines like his Turbo Buicks and his crusade against modern oil formulations has nothing to do with the millions of dollars ZDDP Plus sales have put in his bank account.

Yet here is something that Richard Clark always seems to forget to mention in his loaded with details tech articles. The API SL/SM/SN reduced phosphorous limits only apply to viscosity grades 0W20, 5W20, 0W30, 5W30, and 10W30. [u:a1d39b3dd9]There is no limit on phosphorous levels for any other grade.[/u:a1d39b3dd9]

Which is why the Mobil 1 FS SAE 0W40 oil that I pour into my turbocharged BMW's is licensed as a SN gasoline engine service category oil yet still contains 1000 PPM of phosphorous. It's one of BMW's recommended viscosity grades and the one used by most dealers so I guess they are not concerned about having to replace a failed catalytic converter under warranty.

ZDDP is still the most cost effective anti-oxidation/anti-wear additive on the market and when allowed by the standards most blenders will still use it over the more expensive alternatives. That should be no surprise - they make more profit on a quart of oil loaded with ZDDP than they do on one using replacement technology :evil:

TOH

thanks for the info X2.

I have used Shell Rotella 15w40 in my TO35 Ferguson for years with good results, old motor holds a higher oil pressure with this oil,
I also use this oil in my Dodge diesel pickup, runs great with 100k+ miles

I plan to keep using Shell Rotella, I always heard the higher levels of zinc help keep hardworking engines from wearing so,

I switched to Delo 1400 PPM... My oil rep was shocked :!:

I have customers that use shell and some Delo I moved to the Delo team...