hacker-pschorr

You do realize that this was over 10 years ago and asking Mobil to disclose such information is like asking Coke to share their secret formula?

The only reason why they answer the question now is for marketing. Before 2004 less than .00001% of "car guys" had ever heard of "ZDDP".

So unless you are finding 10+ year old motor oil on the store shelves, why does it even matter?

Kiln_Red

I'm struggling with the possibility that they would restructure a formula specifically designed for our engines in such a way that would contradict the reasons for the original makeup. Whether it was 10 years ago or 2 years ago does not matter to me. Roger suggested the changes were recent.

hacker-pschorr

The GL-4 standard was supposed to protect the same way, it didn't so they went back.

It's that simple. Saving the planet rules over engine longevity, ZDDP lowered to save catalytic converters. The EPA and company could care less if your vintage 30 year old engine suffers cam failure because of it.

ZDDP wasn't "designed for our cars" it's just Zinc and Phosphorus which is known to protect in high pressure areas (flat tappet cams). The new formula package was supposed to protect just as well (some claim it still does). So there you go, that's how this whole ball got rolling.

Did Mobil 1 change their formula since that first fiasco? I have no idea and I don't care since the only Mobil 1 I ever use is 5w-40 Turbo Diesel Truck in my two winter vehicles.

This isn't Mobil 1's first go-round with formula changes. Do a search on the Mobil 1 / Castrol lawsuit over what "Synthetic" really means - which is the real reason why many of us will never use either in our 928's.

Kiln_Red

These statements don't provide any news. At least not for me, though I thank you for sharing. I'm well aware of the fact that Mobil has changed their formulas for other viscosities. I'm still not convinced that Mobil 1 15w-50 has ever gotten a reduced level of ZDDP. It appears obvious that people will still make the claim regardless of whether they can support it factually or not.

I don't see anything wrong with saying that Mobil 1 15w-50 was formulated for our engines. Even the MSDS makes a mention of flat tappet engines. To me, that suggests Mobil specifically formulated it for our engine and any similar engine design. This is quite different than saying ZDDP was designed for our engines, which I did not say.

SeanR

Austin, you are being overly hard headed for no reason at all. Mobile 1 started resupplying the 15w-50 with the proper ZDDP after much consumer concern. That was why the the formula Hacker is talking about was pulled off the shelves last year and then the good stuff was back as of last April. I don't know why you keep questioning those that watched it happen. If you are looking for links and specific tech articles about this, then go out and find them.

Kiln_Red

I was worried about that judgment. I had hoped I hadn't appeared stubborn, but now I realize I have to at least one person. My motivation behind my interaction in this thread is to get to the same conclusion as the rest of the folks here who suggest Mobil 1 15w-50 recently dropped ZDDP levels to a level deemed unacceptable for our cars.

I don't think it is unfair to ask the people who make this claim for some kind of evidence that supports their theory

Lizard928

Why not do your own research and run what oil makes you happy?

I run shell rotella triple T diesel oil in 15w40. I confirmed it had 1200ppm of ZDDP prior to starting to use it. And I do a check every 6 months or so to confirm that the formula is still the same.

Kiln_Red

Colin, I am comfortable with the oil I use.

I have done my own research, also. Mobil 1 15w-50 is just one of those oils that I have looked into. I have been unable to reach the same conclusion that Mobil has changed their ZDDP levels of Mobil 1 15w-50. That is why I wonder how they have reached their conclusion.

Kiln_Red

I'll shut up now as I see that my comments are well stated and beginning to sound redundant. I appreciate the conversation though, guys and gals. Perhaps this thread might become the birth of a broader consensus with regard to one oil brand.

SeanR

They didn't "recently" drop the ZDDP, they reformulated to what Hacker stated, then changed it back to what we needed. It really is that simple. It's also something that we discussed at length last year. Right now, 15w-50 M1 is a good oil, good for our cars. There was a formulation number stamped on the bottle that showed it was a different formula and it was deemed one stamping was the improper formula. Right off hand I don't remember what the two different stampings were, but its all good currently.

We came to that conclusion because we looked at it, had samples sent to blackstone, talked to Mobil etc.

I'm out, pointless discussion.

hacker-pschorr

Right along with all these:

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...uch-pro-r.html

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...o-you-use.html

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...e-comment.html

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...1-15-50-a.html

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...-additive.html

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...you-using.html

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...periences.html

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...nd-oiling.html

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...-autozone.html

That's only a portion from the first page of doing a search (out of 5+ pages).

Don't worry, the next person with the same question will not do a search either

Jadz928

Hell, it give us something to talk about. Never a shortage of opinions re. oil.

Kiln_Red

Thanks, Hacker. I just read every post from the search results you provided. I was surprised that I didn't even find one similar suggestion that M1 has *ever* reduced its ZDDP in 15w-50 to an unacceptable level for our cars. I did manage to find a couple of posts of particular interest..

depami

And now, back to our originally scheduled programming.

Who can, from here on in this tread, avoid "oil discussion" and simply state "brand x - ZDDP content on label - yes/no"?

jayc67

Where's the fun in that?