Educate me on 'High Zinc Content' motor oil

[94BULLITT]

I took a look over at the Petroleum Quality Institute of America website and Valvoline PB 15w40 falls right in the average along with Delvac 15w40, Rotella T 15w40, and Delo 15w40. Nothing exciting I see with Valvoline. Actually, the Rotella has a much higher level of Calcium in the add pack which is the basis of a strong detergent quality along with acid neutralization. But compared to the other HDEO's, VPB is average. Even house brands like Rural King, Love's Travel Center, and such fall into the same general average.

And given the NOACK rating of the VPB 15w40, I would find it hard to accept that it is better than most synthetics. The NOACK level of VPB tilts on the high side. Lower is better for NOACK. Compare all of these. They are so similar it is almost like they came from the same place.

Valvoline Premium Blue SAE 15W-4 API CJ-4/SM

Shell Rotella T SAE 15W-4 API CJ-4/SM

Mobil Delvac 13 Super SAE 15W-4 API CJ-4/SM

Rural King SAE 15W-4 API CJ-4/SM Heavy Duty Diesel

Love's SAE 15W-4 Diesel API CJ-4/SM

Those links make the all look equal other than Rotella T having more calcium. The link I posted showed VPB had signicantlly higher levels of calcium and more zinc. The link I posted if older so maybe the oils could have changed.

 

[dragoneggs]

So.... let's over think this. Is the higher calcium better or my engine/intake/exhaust all other things equal? What are the pros/cons of calcium addition?

 

[94BULLITT]

So.... let's over think this. Is the higher calcium better or my engine/intake/exhaust all other things equal? What are the pros/cons of calcium addition?

Calcium is a detergent. It keeps your engine clean.

 

[Copperhead]

Correct. And it is also the basis for acid neutralization. Just think of it as Tums for your engine. Not the same thing, of course, but the principle is the same.

Zinc and Phosphorous are on the down trend with the newer oils. Primarily for emissions component protection. This is going to get harder in the future to analyze various oils because many of the companies are now brewing up their own proprietary mix of components to take the place of other components we have become familiar with for certain things. The new CK-4 is going to be tough for a while to figure out until we start seeing how differing components react. The claim is that CK-4 will provide greater oxidation prevention, be more shear stable under severe conditions, and stay in grade better. And more detergency for soot control. Too new to tell and the jury is still out. My Detroit engine just got an oil change and got filled with a new Delvac Extreme 10w30 CK-4. Will run a sample at the next change and see how it looks. I am hopeful, but cautious.