Mobil 1 15W50 or Mobil 1 V-Twin 20W50 in my R100 Airhead?

[Steve G.]

Originally Posted by TINK

Now for something completely different...

What about Castrol 4T, anyone using this? It's an old school mineral base SG oil.

TINK

It's really quite simple. API spec SG, 20w-50. It's an air cooled engine, with it's much larger clearances at piston/cylinder compared to liquid cooled engines so 20w is better than 15w. ZDDP is exceedingly important, so some research may be needed for this as even some 'bike' oils are now using reduced ZDDP additive.
As much as I'm a strong proponent of FULL synthetic oils, I think that extending oil changes because it's synthetic is misguided. Synthetics don't break down near as fast as non-synthetics, but, they get contaminated just as fast with acidic byproducts of combustion sneaking past the bigger clearances of an air cooled piston rings. Changing the oil more often using less expensive non-synthetic oil is by far a better way to go.
If only there was available a 20w-50 diesel spec oil [api spec CC -CD], which has very high ZDDP, but most all are 15w-40, too thin for an airhead on a hot summer day.
BTW, I use Castrol 20w-50 bike oil, api spec SG.

[bmweuro]

Go to your BMW dealer and buy BMW oil. When Castrol lowered their zinc content like all the other oils I switched to the BMW 20/50. I have put over 100k on an R100 motor and every bike I build I use BMW oil without any problems. The one exception is breaking in a new motor and that is another topic.

[pommie john]

From Mobil's website.
The 15-50 is recommended for flat tappets, but the V-Twin 20-50 has even more ZDDP.


http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/...duct_Guide.pdf

[TINK]

Thank you all for playing our game today.

I decided to go with the old school oil for the old school bike, mineral base Castrol 4T 20W50 SG. Picked up three quarts at Autozone for just under $20 (5.99 each + tax)



TINK

[kantuckid]

As the airhead forum moderator on the BMWMOA forum has a call out for new oil analysis info, it's obviously not easy info to come by? How/where are you guys getting the ZDDP content for the various oils mentioned here. It seems like a no brainer to use the cheapest dino oil in the correct weight & also containing adequate zinc. So, where do you go for these figures mentioned?
FWIW, in my oilhead I use Syn Rotella T-6.

[disston]

Originally Posted by kantuckid

As the airhead forum moderator on the BMWMOA forum has a call out for new oil analysis info, it's obviously not easy info to come by? How/where are you guys getting the ZDDP content for the various oils mentioned here. It seems like a no brainer to use the cheapest dino oil in the correct weight & also containing adequate zinc. So, where do you go for these figures mentioned?
FWIW, in my oilhead I use Syn Rotella T-6.

This is a point I raise every time Oil comes up. This is why I buy BMW or Spectro oils. I don't know the exact content of these oils but I believe they are high enough.

If you look back to post #8 Backdrifter posted link to another discussion on another forum about the content of ZDDP in motor oils. The letter from Pennzoil is interesting and may have bearing but it is 2.5 years old. Things change awfully fast in this game and I would like something more current.

I was in Advance Auto yesterday and checked the oils out. There was one, I forget the name brand, but there was one that mentioned it had ZDDP. It did not say how much but it was the first time I have seen ZDDP mentioned on an oil label.

The other thing I noticed was that every single oil they had for sale had a rating of SN.

[georgesgiralt]

Hello !
It is funny to see that in France, the French Total makes oil for classic cars. There are mono graded oils for very old engines and a multi grade 20W50 for engine made between the 60's and 80's.
I think they have sensed a niche market
These oils are delivered in 5 liter metal cans, and priced accordingly...
Of course no mention of the composition nor the actual content of specific additives, but as they are formulated for old engines, one may think they have the proper additives they require ?

[Airhead Wrangler]

Originally Posted by disston

There was one, I forget the name brand, but there was one that mentioned it had ZDDP. It did not say how much but it was the first time I have seen ZDDP mentioned on an oil label.

I'm betting it was Brad Penn. Pretty popular with the classic car crowd.

http://www.penngrade1.com/zinc.aspx

[chasbmw]

from Benchmarkworks

Valvoline VR1 racing oil contains 1800ppm of ZDDP and is now their recommended oil.

[STUFF2C]

I have a friend here in Orlando that has over 400K on an airhead and he runs old dead dino's only.

I have over 100k on mine reg ooil only.

[photomd]

Doesn't SG rating meet our need for ZDDP by definition?

[TINK]

Originally Posted by photomd

Doesn't SG rating meet our need for ZDDP by definition?

That's my understanding, but I could be wrong.

[Steve G.]

Originally Posted by chasbmw

from Benchmarkworks

Valvoline VR1 racing oil contains 1800ppm of ZDDP and is now their recommended oil.

Not even sure if this stuff is even available here. I know Duckhams has been gone here for 15 yrs.

[chasbmw]

Benchmark works is a US base business who sell a wide range of BMW stuff.

[kantuckid]

Back to my question: how do you/I look up the ZDDP for an oil thats sold at retail on my local shelf. I'm not questioning anyones information but it would best to look it up oneself as desired. Maybe call the tech line for every oil? Thats how I happened onto the fact that Quaker State was pkg walmart full syn on the same line as the green full syn. Equipped with being able to look this info up you could keep up as the contracts likely change all the time as maybe the additive pkgs too.
As many car oil have moved toward the "0" ratings I've begun wondering what I "want" for my newer vehicles. As an e.g., Toyota changed the suggested oil for my truck from the one listed in the manual, much of that would seem to be related to making the EPA/MPG figures happen? I worry about the "0" oils in the summer...