zinc-free oil?

[moribundman]

Fuchs Titan GT1 has a zinc-free formula. It's environmentally friendlier and supposedly better for catalytic converters. Can zinc be omitted without sacrificing protection?

 

[Al]

Sounds risky to me. ZDDP is a **** good additive it does a lot of good things. Mobils testing indicated that even 1500nppm really doesn't hurt cat converters. I'd steer clear of this stuff.

 

[moribundman]

I wonder if it's a sign of things to come...

 

[Ken2]

The zinc phosphate compounds are effective anti-wear and anti-oxidant agents that cost little. There are other products that work well and cost more. If the phosphate gets into the catcon, it will damage it. If the oil has a lower volatility, less phosphate gets to the catcon, and the damage is negligible--until the engine is older and burning oil. Newest oil spec for late 2004 has a slight reduction in phosphate.


Ken