Oil Choice?

What's the latest guidance on good fluids for our Jeeps? I know the specs called out for our Jeeps, that's not what I'm after.

Reading up on modern oils and reading about internet zinc fear mongering has me mildly freaking out about what to run in our tractor engines going forward. This isn't a new topic but I never really cared till recently.

Some seem to stand behind Rotella mostly for the zinc additives. Some add zinc additives to "regular" oil. But what about the cat converters? Is there a point where the lines cross as it were, as in by the time the zinc does any real damage to the cat it's time to replace it/ them anyway?

I've always run Mobil 1 and/or Shell where possible going back to my air cooled P-car days. It's always treated me well but maybe it's time to reconsider with the Jeeps?

What about AW4 transmission fluid? Anything special here?

The less exotic the better... Rotella is everywhere so not a big deal. Royal Purple, Amsoil, etc. not so much.

What's your thinking on this topic?

The last time I looked into this, Rotella T6 had really good UOAs in our engines and as you pointed out, is everywhere so that's what I run. A good filter and regular maintenance will be much more important than what oil you run though, plenty of people have gone 300K on "whatever is on sale dino" and a filter every 3K miles.

I don't think I've seen any data on the AW-4 that suggests that it cares what fluid is in it so long as it's DexIII/Merc. Keeping it cool is much more important.

This all assumes a stock motor and transmission. If you've started messing with things already, then you may have a need/use for a more exotic fluid.

I'm just wrapping up bolt-ons (header, CAI, new cats and exhaust) so nothing terribly special.

Just getting nervous about hauling a 3000 lb tent trailer 12000 km with a 12 year old Jeep I guess.

All of our other overlanding trips have been relatively close to home so I never really worried about it before.

I only use Valvoline VV205 VR1 SAE 10W-30 in my stroker. It is listed at Zinc/Phosphorus
0.14/0.13(1400/1300 PPM) and actually tests around those numbers. This tends to be hard to find in stores so I usually order cases from Amazon.
http://www.valvoline.com/products/consumer-products/motor-oil/racing-motor-oil/6
http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=398916

Another choice is Mobil 1 High Mileage oils for around 1,000 PPM ZDDP content.(Page 2)
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Files/Mobil_1_Product_Guide.pdf

Valvoline also has a good FAQ concerning this topic. Basically, ZDDP content was dropped because it reduces the life span of newer style catalytic converters.
http://www.valvoline.com/faqs/motor-oil/racing-oil/

1,000 to 1,400 PPM is the range I shoot for since that meets API SJ or SL classification.
http://www.api.org/certification-pr...iesel/Publications/MOM_GUIDE_ENGLISH_2013.pdf
This article from Engine Builder Mag has more information on the classifications and how they change ZDDP content levels.
http://www.enginebuildermag.com/2012/03/zddp-when-where-what-why-how/

Thanks! Always great info when you post.

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2701357

Just a bit easier to add to your oil.

Personally I have had good luck with Rotella

Be sure to use a good quality oil filter. Wix is one of them FOR SURE. Can't go wrong.

Rotella T5 or T6 is just fine.

Nothing but Dex/Merc in the AW4.

Alexia said:

I only use Valvoline VV205 VR1 SAE 10W-30 in my stroker. It is listed at Zinc/Phosphorus
0.14/0.13(1400/1300 PPM) and actually tests around those numbers. This tends to be hard to find in stores so I usually order cases from Amazon.
http://www.valvoline.com/products/consumer-products/motor-oil/racing-motor-oil/6
http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=398916

Click to expand...

I run the vr1 but in 20-50 as my motor is 120k plus miles and its hot here in SoCal. Seems to work perfectly fine good pressure no issues I can see.

I know it's not available outside the UAE but I've been running ADNOC Voyager Silver 10W-40 semi-synthetic for quite a long time. Here are the specs:

http://www.adnoc-dist.ae/corporate/ADNOC_CatalogueEnglish.pdf

You might have something similar in the US. Bottom line is that it's SL rated.

I've never seen any pressure difference from whatever oil I run. I *think* when I dump a pint of STP in with the oil change it quiets things down slightly but it could be in my head. Like you, I'm just worried about flattening cam lobes. Really honestly, though - I don't think it makes much difference what oil you run on a higher mileage engine.
I've seen plenty of cam & cam bearing wipeouts on newly build 4.0 / stroker engines.
I don't see *anyone* saying "Hey, my Jeep is down on power, started after the ZDDP went out of oil" though admittedly accelerated cam wear is harder to detect than outright failure.

For breaking in an engine, I would run something high ZDDP or some form of break-in oil. I ran some Edelbrock break-in oil in my 440.

For a 4.0 that already has 100k+miles on it, just run whatever decent oil is on sale. I never had a problem running whatever oil/filter combo was on sale for 50k miles on one engine, and another 80k miles on another engine. Neither one failed.

For a performance/stroker build, I'd be tempted to run a quality oil just due to the investment. I run Amsoil Z-ROD in my 440 since I have a bit of money wrapped up in it.

If you search the Amsoil site and/or google you can find a local dealer. I personally run the Amosil AMO it is a full syn (obviously) 10w40 with added zddp. Works great. I typically buy it buy the case, except as of late, as one of the local shops the owner stocks Amsoil and places orders regularly and lets me buy as needed. And since it's synthetic and the oil stays fairly clean in my heep (also run carquest blue filter, made by wix) I typically go 6k between oil changes. This oil is actually rated for 24k/1yr, but I change my oil every 6 months when I do not drive it much. More if I hit 5-6k.

I usually run 10w-40 diesel oil, buy a ton of it when its on sale for 9.99$ a gallon..., used to run any high mileage 20w-50 back in the day but the 10w-40 is cheaper.., although I just went to the valvoline VR1 racing 20w-50 in the last oil change. Jeep seems to run a little cooler in the 100* + days with it. Wix oil filters all day long.also threw in the bgk44 in the gas tank, their engine cleaner 109 in the crankcase, and then the MOA. found some dude on ebay selling all three for like 35$ shipped, Ive read a ton of threads with guys swearing by the bg44k stuff so I finally gave it a try.

Rotella and Wix.

cruiser54 said:

Rotella and Wix.

Click to expand...

+1

Valvoline VR1 (silver container, non racing) is a great high ZDDP that Napa usually has. Amsoil has some high ZDDP oils as well. Brad Penn and Joe Gibbs offer several high quality oils as well.