One particularly boring rainy day, I was on-line and visiting some of my favorite informational VW bus websites when I discovered a growing number of tips on modern engine oils. There was so much information out there that I wondered how had I missed this information before. Apparently, a few years ago the motor oil industry changed the formulation of their oils to be more in line with modern air quality requirements. This included the removal of certain elements like Zinc Dialkyl-Dithio-Phosphate (ZDDP for short). Phosphates can shorten the life of the catalytic converter. The new formulation works well in modern engines with roller cam lifters and the like, but not so well in older technology engines with flat cam lifters, since the elements provide the ability for the motor oil to adhere to the metal parts, providing lubrication and separation. VW Air-cooled engines, with their old school flat cam lifters are not a good fit with the new motor oil formulations, and result in prematurely worn camshafts and lifters.
Again, how had I missed this information. This was suspiciously suspect when compared to the camshaft and cam bearing problems I have been experiencing: Cam bearings that last 5,000-10,000 miles before needing replacement. When I think back to the time my camshaft and bearing problem began, it offers much to ponder. Perhaps this was the government’s way of secretly ridding all the older cars and engines from the road in an effort to clean up the environment with newer smogless vehicles. Or, perhaps this was the automotive industry’s way of doing the same in order to sell more new cars. Maybe someone in the oil or auto industry got stuck in traffic behind a VW bus going up a steep grade and concocted an evil plot of revenge. Must research further!
Anyway, this was enough to sell me on the idea of changing my bus’s motor oil. New engine = new oil, perfect timing! Once again the informational websites pointed to “Brad Penn” Green Oil, with plenty of ZDDP for older engines (Take that, government and auto industry!) It is not easy to find locally in stores, but plenty easy on Amazon.com at $4.80 per quart. That’s okay. Even the store brands are close to that amount and if it means a longer lasting camshaft, lifters, and cam bearings, well then…
After a couple of weeks of running the Green Oil, everything seemed to be going along okay, except for the oil leak mentioned in the previous post (bad Chinese Flywheel seal). I happened to be speaking with a neighbor who has been a mechanic in the auto industry for a few decades and specializes in 1960’s American cars such as Ford Mustangs, Galaxies, and the like. He asked me what motor oil I was using in the bus and asked if I had heard of the “Zinc Problem.” He said that new motor oils were no good for older style engines because of the lack of Zinc, and that there are problems with Camshaft and Lifter wear. He said he believed it was a government conspiracy to get all the old cars off the road. I told him, “Funny you should mention that.”
Happy Bus Motoring
Ron ( o v o )
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