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MG TD TF 1500 - ZDDP - Am I the only one?

I continue to add STP Zinc to my oil.

Am I the only one doing so?

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué
Gord Clark

I buy oil that has a high ZDDP content, so don't need to add any. The Classic Oils website lists numerous oils and their ZDDP content.
Dave
H
Dave Hill

I still add a bottle to every oil change. But then again, I still throw salt over my shoulder when I spill it.

Tim
TD12524
Tim Burchfield

Still using the Valvoline VR-1. Bud
Bud Krueger

I've used Castrol 4-stroke motorcycle racing oil for a long time, always available at Canadian Tire.
T W Moore

Hi

Only use Millers Classic 20-50.

Barry
B Bridgens

Yes I use a Resolute 20W50 Racing oil with a bottle of the RED STP.
Gary
gl krukoski

All oils have zddp , just at levels lower than a few years ago..but HIGHER than when these engines were designed and built..so I am of the ..."Since I set my elephant traps in the front yard, I have not seen ONE here in Illinois." regarding ZDDP additives.

(I have a full set of tappers run only on high ZDDP oils and they look like some one took an ice pick to them)
Regards, Tom
tm peterson

While in the local auto store yesterday I saw Lucas Oil has a ZDDP additive.
D. Sander

I add a bottle. My cam and tappets cost a small fortune, so adding a few dollars to the case liquids at our once-a-year swap-out is not a consideration. Especially if I take a moment to consider that I will tell the next owner that I took good care of her.

I do it for me. It quiets the voices.
MAndrus

Been using Valvoline VR-1 in my antique cars for years and never had any issues. PJ
PJ Jennings

I use Millers oil for classic cars but still add ZDDP with every oil change. I figure it's cheaper than a new cam and lifters.
Jack Long

You could discuss the technical need (or not) for adding ZDDP for several days (months/years?). However, I think the best answer is probably from MAndrus:

"I do it for me. It quiets the voices."

Hard to argue with that. And, it won't do any harm unless you go hog wild adding it (too much could upset a carefully formulated additive package).
WHTroyer

Ive been using Joe Gibbs HR 2 hot rod oil for flat tappets,, recomended by my engine builder
SPW Wincze

Never change my oil without a bottle to add in. Rather add it and not think about "what if I hadn't" than not add it and think "what if I had"
TRH Hammond

Well, these are pretty good comments with valuable info. I wonder just how many chose not to respond because they ignore the issue because of the nuisance value.

A couple of weeks ago a gal asked me why were her valves on her Tf, making so much noise. I adjusted her valves but she was back a week later. So we removed the inspection plate and ... bingo! She had no idea about the problem. So the absence of ZDDP DOES make a difference.

I plan to summarize this thread. Stand by ...

Goprd Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gord Clark

Gord, I might be in the minority, but I find no nuisance value to anything on this forum, I personally enjoy all comments made. Sometimes the smallest bit of information, regardless how silly it might appear to some, could and has solved problems in the past. Of all the forums I've encountered, this is the most informative and most professional. PJ
PJ Jennings

Adding excessive ZDDP can be just as damaging as not enough. Even the correct amount added to a modern API oil may be of no use as the detergents in the oil do not allow the ZDDP to adhere to the metal as desired.

It's a continuing crap shoot trying to figure out the best balance of what is available to us today with what our engine requires. The technical papers have been endless on the subject, but none seem to hit the nail on the head in my view.

That said I added a bottle of Lucas ZDDP to the VR1 for the break in of the TF engine and again on the first oil change. Will I do it again? I doubt it.

Here is another long winded recent read on the subject, but once again it does not deal directly with the requirements of our engines or the specific brands and weights that the majority of us our using.

http://540ratblog.wordpress.com/

L E D LaVerne

Wow, I don't know how many pages in that attachment, but I read a lot of them and it still seemed to go on forever! Probably a lot of truth therein, but anyone who has done any proper lab testing of materials will know that the test method has a big influence on the results. Do them a different way and you can get a different peking order. Nevertheless I remain consistent with that author that its better to use a good brand of fully formulated oil as it comes and not use any additives. That is why I am also using VR1.
Dave H
Dave Hill

In my experience the presence of ZDDP above that present in even modern oils has little bearing on tappet wear - the issue is more one of quality of the parts - a correctly hardened camshaft running with quality chilled cast iron tappets will last a very long time - reground cams with smaller nose radius and poor quality tappets will break up in short order.
Chris at Octarine Services

Gordon, I'm not as familiar with the TF as the TD, so please elaborate on...

"So we removed the inspection plate and ... bingo!"
L Karpman

Larry, most of us call it the tappet cover. The metal plate below the spark plugs. Removing it will show the tappets, and...bingo! Bud
Bud Krueger

Thanks Bud. I'll be replacing the tappet cover gasket with a new one from Tom fairly soon. Based on the tappet noise I get, I think there might be a "bingo" in my future.

Reason I asked about the "inspection plate" on the TF was because I checked the archives for "TF Inspection plate" and came up with the pic below and wondered what seeing that area had to do with "tappets."




L Karpman

Never done any "inspecting" through those holes before... only done R&R'ing the oil filter through one, and starter motor thru the other.
W Chang

This thread was discussed between 10/06/2017 and 28/06/2017

MG TD TF 1500 index

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