Can I make my own Hi ZDDP oil

[NewC6]

Sorry but the search didn't provide me an answer. Maybe I did it wrong. Anyway. I am more and more concerned about the drop in ZDDP in modern oils. I want to stay with oils like Amsoil or Pennzoil synthetics but want to know if there is an additive I can add that will bulk the ZDDP up to former levels like maybe SL oils had? I am looking to protect my 2010 CTS 3.6 Di engine and am considering buying a new Miata.

Thanks for any help you folks can provide.

 

[Donald]

unless you have a flat tappet cam, no need for extra ZDDP. If you do then buy Amsoil ZROD. Don't play petroleum engineer unless you have a degree in it.

 

[dparm]

Anything above 1400ppm of ZDDP and you risk corrosion and other problems. I wouldn't go down this road on a modern engine.

 

[Lyman]

The extra ZDDP isn't needed in those engines as that are NOT flat tappet. What I would be worried about is the timing chains in the caddy. They have been known to fail before 100k

 

[salv]

Ditto on the timing chain issues. Gm knows the chains on the 3.6's stretch early and set a check engine light. They issued a TSB to reprogram the ecm to consider the excessive slack as falling within normal range. This helps them avoid replacing thousands of timing chains.

 

[Bandito440]

Red Line has 1,000+ PPM across the board.

Alternatively, you could mix one quart of Mobil 1 Racing (0w-30 or 0w-50 - 2,400 PPM zinc) and the remainder regular Mobil 1.

 

[Brit33]

I have a flat four 8v with flat tappets from 1988, prone to failure due to the extreme pressures between the lobes and tappets. It's also a high revving engine.

I do not have access to higher level zddp oils here now so have ordered 3 bottles of zddp maxx.
I will just be adding 1 oz to 4 litres of oil as I don't want to exceed 1300 ppm to be on the safe side.
Not sure about the difference between zddplus and zddp maxx though.
maxx comes in 2 oz bottles and plus in 4 oz bottles.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: Bandito440
Red Line has 1,000+ PPM across the board.

Alternatively, you could mix one quart of Mobil 1 Racing (0w-30 or 0w-50 - 2,400 PPM zinc) and the remainder regular Mobil 1.


M1 0w40 is 1000-1100ppm too.

 

[Rock_Hudstone]

Originally Posted By: NewC6
I want to stay with oils like Amsoil or Pennzoil synthetics but want to know if there is an additive I can add that will bulk the ZDDP up to former levels like maybe SL oils had? I am looking to protect my 2010 CTS 3.6 Di engine and am considering buying a new Miata.

Thanks for any help you folks can provide.

You want GM E.O.S.
Its been around for a long time and will safely boost ZDDP levels without going overboard like some of the other highly concentrated aftermarket additives.

http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results.cfm?singlepart=1&partnumber=EOS

GM calls it an "assembly lubricant" these days and its good for that too, but it is used as a supplement after break-in as well.
Note; you can probably get it cheaper directly from a GM dealer.

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted By: NewC6
Sorry but the search didn't provide me an answer. Maybe I did it wrong. Anyway. I am more and more concerned about the drop in ZDDP in modern oils. I want to stay with oils like Amsoil or Pennzoil synthetics but want to know if there is an additive I can add that will bulk the ZDDP up to former levels like maybe SL oils had? I am looking to protect my 2010 CTS 3.6 Di engine and am considering buying a new Miata.

Thanks for any help you folks can provide.


This engine does not have anything it is design that would warrant the need for more ZDDP. Just research SAE studies on ZDDP in motor oils and you will see why.

 

[Turk]

You don't "have" to add the Zinc, but you can do a few things if you're just going to do it.


- Put in 1-2 quarts any moderately high Zinc oil (1000-1400ppm) with your regular oil to bump it up a bit.

- Put in full runs of QS Defy, Rotella or any other boat load of oils that have higher Zinc oil.

- Put in a light amount of GM EOS, ZDDP Plus, etc, but the above two would be preferred.

- OR, just use a higher Moly oil like PYB, Amsoil or any other with high Moly and just forget the higher Zinc.

 

[NewC6]

Interesting input, thanks to all that responded.

 

[Michael_P]

RTS 5w40 has nice ZDDP numbers.

 

[mechtech2]

Originally Posted By: Donald
unless you have a flat tappet cam, no need for extra ZDDP. If you do then buy Amsoil ZROD. Don't play petroleum engineer unless you have a degree in it.


Not really.
Timing chains , oil pumps, and even rings can benefit from ZDDP.
There are some good additives available - no need to be an engineer when an engineer developed them.

 

[Brit33]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Originally Posted By: Donald
unless you have a flat tappet cam, no need for extra ZDDP. If you do then buy Amsoil ZROD. Don't play petroleum engineer unless you have a degree in it.


Not really.
Timing chains , oil pumps, and even rings can benefit from ZDDP.
There are some good additives available - no need to be an engineer when an engineer developed them.


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