Suffated ash?

[Panzerman]

When you read a oil data sheet what significance does the ammount of suffated ash have? Some oil makers such as Pennzoil dont even list it. Castrol listes as 0.90 in the GTX, 0.85 in syntec, and 1.2 in GTX Startup, Valvoline lists it at .80 and Motorcraft 5w20 is at like.86. Does this have something to do with the cleanness of the oil or what does this represent? Thanks.

 

[Pablo]

Sulfated ash - actually is not a bad thing. It represents the "unburnable" materials in your oil - such as barium, calcium, magnesium, molybdenum, zinc, potassium, sodium, and tin. Of course elements sulfur, phosphorus, and chlorine can also be present in combined form (compounds). Pretty much the elements you read as additives in UOA/VOA's.

 

[Quest]

IMHO sulphated ash in ordinary 4T motor oil is irrevalent so long as your engine does not burn motor oil, and has sufficient detergency to fight deposit forming.

My 2c's worth.YMMV

 

[Quest]

IMHO sulphated ash in ordinary 4T motor oil is irrelevant so long as your engine does not burn motor oil, and has sufficient detergency to fight deposit forming.

My 2c's worth.YMMV

 

[Trex101]

IMO, the higher the sulfated ash level the better as this might indicate the amount of additives in the oil, for example Mobil 1 10w30HM contain 1.31% while the rest of the Mobil 1 contain 1% or less. Look at the HTHS of this oil, 3.66 is a very good number for a 30wt.

Mobil 1 High Mileage 10w30 is designed for higher mileage vehicles and provides the following benefits:

* Extra anti-wear additive helps protect critical engine parts.
* Reduces the sludge and deposits that conventional oils can leave behind.
* Contains a special seal conditioner to help recondition seals and prevent leaks.
* Higher viscosity formula helps reduce oil burn-off and leakage.
* Meets API SL/CF
* ILSAC GF-3 quality

 

[OilGuy]

Ash is related to not only the amount of additives, but also the type (as they vary widely). Ash is not a big concern for passenger vehicles IMO - thus it may not be listed on pds. When talking about big semi trucks, ash is much more of a focus - and it's listed on 99% of pds - and it's it's not, they are probably hiding a high ash level from easy public view. It can be related to forming harmful piston deposits.

 

[Panzerman]

Thanks for the knowledge, guys. I remmeber seeing alot on diesel oil such as 15w40,data sheets thats why I started to think it was to do with the cleaning agents and what it leaves behind.

 

[rokky]

Ash is also said to help cushion valve to valve seat.

I think ash is more related to detergent levels. Diesel powered engines need more cleaning agents, thus the high ash numbers.

Chevron Delo 15w40 at 1.41 and Union76 Royal Triton at 1.62 are good examples of diesel oils designed for extended drains.

I have seen discussion relating to the helpfulness or not of ash in gasoline engines and catalytic converters.

 

[Leo]

Also higher ZDDP content can raise the ash values too.