Engine oil for diesel cars in a Pagoda?

[Ulf]

Have just ordered some engine oil (Fina 20/50 mineral) from a local website, but now that I have the jug in hand, it turns out that it is for diesel cars :-(
Zink content is 1100 ppm, which is pretty good, but can I use this oil in my Pagoda or should I just feed it to my old Land Rover that'll eat anything?
I usually change the oil twice a year - 20/50 in spring (now) for summer use and 15/40 for autumn/winter use, so this oil won't see that many miles anyway...
I also plan to add a shot of Zink Cam Shield to further boost the sink content - is this a waste of money or does it really reduce wear as it claims?

Best regards

Ulf

[jameshoward]

Ulf,

It's fine. I've used oil for diesels many times to get the higher zinc content.

Don't worry about it at all.

I have never added things to my oil.

JH

[Benz Dr.]

Ulf,

It's fine. I've used oil for diesels many times to get the higher zinc content.

Don't worry about it at all.

I have never added things to my oil.

JH

Diesel oils may have enough zinc in them and maybe they don't. I asked my dealer how much zinc was in the oil I get for my tractors and I'm still waiting for an answer, which means probably not enough. 1,500 ppm or more is about right for our cars. Most oils contain anywhere from 600 - 1100 ppm and some of the really good stuff has over 2,000.
  I use a zinc additive for break in and regular oil changes. It's about $5.00 for a 250 ml bottle - I use the whole thing for break in and about 125 ml per oil change after that. Out cars *need* this zinc additive; it's critical that you have enough or heavy cam shaft wear will occour.

[jameshoward]

Dan,

I may have misunderstood, but I think the question was more about whether the oil is OK being that it says it's for a diesel, rather than about the zinc content per se. The oil is fine. It seems - though based only on 'internet  research' (what could possibly go wrong...) that the oils in Europe with higher levels of zinc seem to be marketed for diesel cars. I imagine that there are differences between environmental emission policies between many European states and N America, which may account for the seeming lack of choice. I hadn't heard of ZDDP until you mentioned it. You can get it in the UK (eg from the States via ebay) but it adds a premium (in the UK it's 4 times as much) to your oil change costs (but not as much as a new cam, I know... .)

JH

[Ulf]

Thanks guys, the additive will bring the zink content up to around 1600 ppm, so that should be fine :-)

Ulf