Now that the low SAPS - sulphated ash,phosphorus,sulphur - diesel oils have been introduced (and will eventually replace CI-4+), I'm wondering what the old school, SAE 15w-40 crowd plans on running in their bikes???
In discussions I've had with industry folks, the additive treat levels of these CG-4 oils will look very much like API/SM gas engine oils. Expect to see TBNs of 8-9 (down from 11-12) and about 1/3 less zinc and phosphorus than before. In fact I would not be surprised to see many of these formulations being sold as mixed fleet, CG-4/SM products. Even Amsoil plans to significantly reduce the additive levels of their extended drain , synthetic diesel oils to meet the chemical limits of this new spec. The additive package of their 5w-40, low SAPS Euro oil is a preview of what you'll see for CG-4:
Ca, 1500 ppm
Mg, 50 ppm
P, 700 ppm
Zn, 800 ppm
Boron, 50 ppm
TBN, 8.0
Note that the CG-4 spec actually allows for up to 1200 ppm of phosphorus. However as a practical matter, ZDDP generates sulphur as it decomposes and it also generates sulphated ash when you burn it (from the Zinc). So oil formulators will be trading off ZDDP levels and Ca/Mg (organo metallic detergent), levels in order to meet the stringent chemical limits of CG-4.
These new diesel oils may be adequate for MC engine use, but could be unsuitable for wet clutch applications and lubrication of gear sets in MC transmissions....
TS
[ September 02, 2006, 08:01 AM: Message edited by: TooSlick ]
In discussions I've had with industry folks, the additive treat levels of these CG-4 oils will look very much like API/SM gas engine oils. Expect to see TBNs of 8-9 (down from 11-12) and about 1/3 less zinc and phosphorus than before. In fact I would not be surprised to see many of these formulations being sold as mixed fleet, CG-4/SM products. Even Amsoil plans to significantly reduce the additive levels of their extended drain , synthetic diesel oils to meet the chemical limits of this new spec. The additive package of their 5w-40, low SAPS Euro oil is a preview of what you'll see for CG-4:
Ca, 1500 ppm
Mg, 50 ppm
P, 700 ppm
Zn, 800 ppm
Boron, 50 ppm
TBN, 8.0
Note that the CG-4 spec actually allows for up to 1200 ppm of phosphorus. However as a practical matter, ZDDP generates sulphur as it decomposes and it also generates sulphated ash when you burn it (from the Zinc). So oil formulators will be trading off ZDDP levels and Ca/Mg (organo metallic detergent), levels in order to meet the stringent chemical limits of CG-4.
These new diesel oils may be adequate for MC engine use, but could be unsuitable for wet clutch applications and lubrication of gear sets in MC transmissions....
TS
[ September 02, 2006, 08:01 AM: Message edited by: TooSlick ]
