The Rotella Is Being Reformulated -Zinc
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Pro Wrench
Joined: Apr 2015
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From: Dallas, TX
The Rotella Is Being Reformulated -Zinc
I learned today from our oil rep that Rotella is now reformulated. For a long time, Rotella T was recommended by many for use in older engines, both because of its thicker viscosity rating but also for its high zinc content. This was the non-synthetic Rotella T. Rotella is now T4, T5 and T6. T4 is crude based, T5 is synth blend and T6 is the full synthetic. I was told that T4 will have no zinc content whatsoever.
Zinc was widely used in all motor oil up until recently. The EPA pressure to remove it from engine oils is what resulted in the widespread application of roller lifters throughout the automotive world. There really is no acceptable substitute for flat tappet cam applications.
Anyone with any engine using a flat tappet cam should investigate the various zinc additives available. The actual chemical is called zinc dialkyldithiophosphate or commonly reduced to the acronym ZDDP.
This is probably a better approach anyway- Rotella had alot of phosphorous in it which is bad for cats.
Zinc was widely used in all motor oil up until recently. The EPA pressure to remove it from engine oils is what resulted in the widespread application of roller lifters throughout the automotive world. There really is no acceptable substitute for flat tappet cam applications.
Anyone with any engine using a flat tappet cam should investigate the various zinc additives available. The actual chemical is called zinc dialkyldithiophosphate or commonly reduced to the acronym ZDDP.
This is probably a better approach anyway- Rotella had alot of phosphorous in it which is bad for cats.
Pro Wrench
Joined: Nov 2016
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From: Bham, Alabama
Well if your seals are fine, royal purple HPS (high performance street) has a high level and their HMX (high mileage) has around 10 ppm (if I remember correctly from when I spoke to the rep so don't quote me). I know there is tremendous debate on the oils but all my seals are great (oil wise) and I run the 10w-30 hps in mine. I don't do a full 15k change interval, I personally do a 10k interval and it does fine for me but that again is personal preference. I run the 5w-20 hmx in my work car, 2006 focus. I'm not trying to get the debate started again, god forbid, just putting that info out there
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Pro Wrench
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Talk about conflicting information. Unless Donald Trump is done with Carrier and already had talks with Shell and the EPA, it doesn't seem logical that anyone would be increasing zddp levels in anything at the moment. Maybe if they could get away with the same levels in their formulation is 1 thing, but increasing...doesn't make any sense.
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Pro Wrench
Joined: Apr 2015
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From: Dallas, TX
Well if your seals are fine, royal purple HPS (high performance street) has a high level and their HMX (high mileage) has around 10 ppm (if I remember correctly from when I spoke to the rep so don't quote me). I know there is tremendous debate on the oils but all my seals are great (oil wise) and I run the 10w-30 hps in mine. I don't do a full 15k change interval, I personally do a 10k interval and it does fine for me but that again is personal preference. I run the 5w-20 hmx in my work car, 2006 focus. I'm not trying to get the debate started again, god forbid, just putting that info out there
Pro Wrench
Joined: May 2016
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From: Lake Tahoe
Well my understanding is that this rotella stuff is primarily marketed towards diesel trucks and they don't have as strict of emissions requirements. But what do I know. It would be great to have a concrete answer to this. I don't want to go adding additives to the oil... I'd be more inclined to seek out a different, properly specced oil. ZDDP is 100% crucial for our flat tappet motors. The target is 1000ppm +. Rotella T had 1200 ppm
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From: Coastal Georgia
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Pro Wrench
Joined: Apr 2015
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From: Dallas, TX
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ub...5w#Post4238740
I wouldn't mind finding out which other motor oils on the market are comparable to the Rotella formulation I was running for the past couple years.
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ub...50#Post4086557
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ub...se#Post4068722
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ub...40#Post4005176
Last edited by chubbs878; Dec 4, 2016 at 11:32 PM.