ZDDP oil additive

[Vulcan_tom]

I'm researching the motor oil Zinc additive ZDDP that STP makes and wondering if it's a good idea to add ZDDP to my '04 vulcan 1500

[Pete7874]

If you're using the proper engine oil for your bike, then it already contains the right amount of ZDDP. I am pretty sure no vehicle manufacturer out there recommends the use of oil additives. As a matter of fact, most if not all of them strictly advise against it.

[Vulcan_tom]

I'm using Shell Rotella T5 5w40 Zinc is 1252 ppm, Phosphorus 1105 VOA

Here's the link to the 16 oz. Lucas Oil Zinc ZDDP bottle
http://www.lucasoil.ca/products/engi...-additives.asp

The whole 16 oz bottle added to my oil would be an extra 5,000 ppm zinc
But here's the catch,,,
Click on MSDS Data Sheet specs on Section 2
Antimony Compound 30% - 35%
Zinc Dialkyldithiophosphate 30% - 35%
Heavy Petroleum Oil, Solvent Refined Paraffinic Oil 30% -35%

Now to me, Paraffinic Oil is flammable and like a wax, what would that do to my wet clutch? I'm trying to increase my Rotella T5 Zinc levels but I have a concern about that Paraffinic Oil

[Pete7874]

Why do you think your bike needs more Zinc? Are you having problems with it? What problems are you having?

Lucas additive uses petroleum oil as an additive carrier. This is fairly normal. Additives don't dissolve well in synthetic group III or IV oil, that's why mineral oil is used, alternatively the more expensive ester (group V). Even your Rotella T6 uses a small amount of mineral oil as an additive carrier.

If you want a richer add pack, you're better off going with something like Amsoil motorcycle oil which will probably cost you the same as Rotella T6 + Lucas ZDDP. By the way, as far as I know, Amsoil motorcycle oil uses group V bases as additive carrier.

[Vulcan_tom]

Pete, which of these oils below, A or B would in your opinion contain more additives like ZDDP and be better for my bike, they do not provide ppm content I asked, said it was proprietary information. What I have below is all they would provide.

Oil A with a Sulphated Ash % < 1
TBN 10.3
Flash Point 233C
VI 155
HT/HS 4.3
cSt@40C 103
cSt@100C 15.2

or

Oil B with Sulphated Ash % 1.37
TBN 9.7
Flash Point 251C
VI 154
HT/HS 4.4
cSt@40C 108
cSt@100C 15.7

[Pete7874]

Without virgin oil analysis results, it's impossible to tell.

Which particular oils are these? Maybe we can dig up VOAs for them.

[Vulcan_tom]

I checked bob is the oil guy site and also did a search and there's no VOA on either oil
Oil A is Petro Canada Duron-E Synthetic 10w40
Oil B is Petro Canada Duron XL Blend 10w40

[Pete7874]

Well, Duron E is a low-ash formula, so I'm tempted to guess that it'd have a weaker add pack, but then it has higher TBN which kind of contradicts this. It's possible Duron E just uses higher quality additives and that's why TBN is better.

[Vulcan_tom]

What about price, if one oil under consideration costs more than the other, would that be an indicator of it having a better add pack? I am just guessing but if the Duron-E costs more, then maybe it has higher quality additives. I like the higher TBN. But in looking over the data, I notice the Flash Point of the XL blend is at 251C and Duron-E at 233C. Is a higher Flash Point an indicator of anything in an oil?

[Pete7874]

Price is not always a good indicator. Take Shell Rotella for example. Their synthetic T6 is known to shear quicker than their mineral T in wet clutch applications.