additives

[JPSmit]

OK, OK, I know the general consensus seems to be that additives are mostly snake oil. However, just saw a commercial with Carroll Shelby endorsing Z-Max. Any thoughts? Any of this stuff work?

 

[PAUL161]

Sounds like the old Slick 50 adds, but if Shelby endorses it, then there might be something to it, but then again, you know he's getting it for free along with his large endorsement fee and that makes me wonder. Only one way to find out if it works for you! $$$.

 

[DrEntropy]

Use oils with ZDDP (the "not legal for street use" or diesel recommended ones) and a gas "stabilizer" or aviation fuel.

We're bein' ~forced~ out of our hobby by a mutual consensus, IMO.

 

[Bayless]

Geez, I'm seeing rumors now that diesel oils are beginning to cut back on the ZDDP. Also, I think the additive is legal as long as your car does not have a catalytic converter. It seems the zinc has some very small adverse effect on them.

 

[recordsj]

here is some info on additives:

LUCAS additives
https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/images/lucas/lucas.htm
ZDDP in motor oil
https://www.macysgarage.com/myweb6/ZDDP.htm

 

[recordsj]

here is another intersting oil additive info link:
https://www.svmgcc.org/tech_tips/oil_is_killing.htm

 

[AweMan]

Read the label, IF it has P.T.F.E. poly(tetrafluoroethylene) in it, run rabbit run. Put it down and run away fast!

 

[Bayless]

Hey Kerry, can you elaborate a bit on the P.T.F.E. please?

 

[AweMan]

What P.T.F.E. is, is basically a Teflon coating!
Sorta like what is on your wife`s non stick frying pan, except in lubricants containing it, it is liquid rather than in a solid form like on the fry pan.
Some folks acclaim it to be the "Wonder lubricant of the century"
and .... It may well be. .... or not!
Hazardous waste it is!
Here is one web site that has a lot of information on P.T.F.E.

https://www.mindfully.org/Plastic/Teflon/teflon.htm

Note: there are many many others as well.

A chemist friend of mine described P.T.F.E. to me like this
"it is like putting cholesterol in your engines oil passages"
My assumption was ... that with heat and over time P.T.F.E. could build up to the point of clogging things up.
P.S. Only an assumption on my part.
I would be more concerned about the hazardous waste aspect.

Update: Currently there is NO M.S.D.S. on Z Max that I could find
Which in itself is unusual considering it is a chemical compound of some sort.
P.T.F.E. is one chemical compound that does not degrade or dissipate over time in the environment.
IF this product contains P.T.F.E. Could explain the reluctance to post the M.S.D.S. for it.

Disclaimer: I am neither Pro nor Con for z Max products
The material posted here is for informational purposes only.

 

[RonMacPherson]

Our friendly volvo dealer used to sell Lucas oil additives. Used to really push "em(spiff kickbacks). After seeing too many fried pistons from their turbo engines they quit selling it. Guess what, no more burnt pistons...

 

[aerog]

FWIW, Z-MAX is the automotive version of FAA approved "Avblend" for airplane engines. People either swear by it or say it is pure snakeoil. I know mechanics that say the Avblend stuff is like magic and buy it by the case...then others laugh.

Story about Avblend
The story about ZMax