3000W Chinese Gensets Info.

professor95 wrote:

Well, Rob threw out the subject of zinc (ZDDP) being removed from most motor oils due to problems with the metal causing damage to catalytic converters. Apparently the makers of motor oil have determined that since automotive engines with flat tappets are now no longer made there is no need for the metal.

I used to work for the company that owned the patent on ZDDP (Hint: they were a West Coast Co that made Purple Motor Oil and it wasn't Royal Purple).

ZDDP works as an anti-wear agent by interfering with the welding of asperaties in the metal (the little sharp spots on a surface) and thus the "galling" of the journal surfaces.

There are several keys here. One is that the amount of ZDDP is REDUCED, not eliminated in oils of today. Two is that the additive works best when the engine is new and the surfaces are their roughest. Three is that many HD engine manufactures have increased the size of the sumps to allow for more TOTAL ZDDP in the oil. Cut the amount per quart but double the number of quarts(?).

As for the Champion Generators, these engines are not operating under anywhere near the loads and speeds that the "HotRodders" are working with. I bought a Titan Pickup in 2004 that puts out 305 HP (BTW it has a 7 Quart Sump). The "HotRodders" are pulling over 800 HP from that enging. Now THAT's a lot of load on the bearings and cam lobes. On that note, With the exception of GM, very few engines use the old traditional Cam,tappet, push rod system. Most are Overhead Cams and Roller Tappets are NOT used. The cam pushed directly on the valve stem cap, just like on the face of the old tappet.

As for the loss of the ZDDP, there are other additives coming into the marketplace for Oil Mfr's to use.

Last offering. To increase mileage in many new engines the manufacturers are resorting to polishing many internal parts. Nissan for example, in their 5.6 Titan Engine polishes the cam lobes and journals in order to reduce friction in the valve train. Less Friction equals more HP and better mileage.

Just my contribution to the discussion.