| Aftermarket Oil Additives, do they protect? |
| Article 1 |
| Oil Analyzers Inc. (OAI) has recently performed oxidation testing on samples of new motor oil treated with chlorinated aftermarket oil additives and compared the results to oxidation testing of untreated new motor oil in an effort to determine the cause of severe sludging in the field. |
 The treated samples produced gels. Unadditized motor oils do not. |
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The gels appear to lead to sludge formation. Additionally, Four Ball Wear (D-4172B) tests performed by AMSOIL INC. in 1997 on AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-30 motor oils showed that those treated with chlorinated aftermarket oil additives allowed the formation of larger wear scars (0.40 mm) than untreated samples (0.36 mm) did. Although a link between sludging in the field and chlorinated aftermarket additives has not yet been established, AMSOIL strongly recommends against the use of aftermarket additives, particularly those containing chlorine. WHY CHLORINE? Chlorine is an excellent extreme pressure agent, and is used as such in industrial lubricant applications. Those who market chlorinated automotive aftermarket oil additives market them as engine protectants, substances that will help engines last and maintain like-new performance. However, chlorine is extremely reactive, which makes it corrosive to engine metals and interactive with many oil components. "The environment within an internal combustion engine consists of high operating temperatures, combustion and blow-by gases, moisture, acid and oxidation precursors, wear debris [and] unburned fuel," Maurice E. LePera, former associate director for fuels and lubricants at the U.S. Army’s Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center told Lubes ’N’ Greases (Aug. 1998). "The combination of these ingredients when combined with the catalytic effects of metallic surfaces and trace soluble metals such as copper will cause chlorine to hydrolize – forming hydrochloric acid and other associated reaction products. Once generated, these acidic reaction products can cause serious internal engine corrosion problems, especially on ferrous and aluminum alloys." In fact, the oil and automotive industries used chlorine as a motor oil component until the 1930s. Then it was replaced by zinc dialkyl-dithio-phosphate (ZDDP), a much safer anti-wear agent for engine use. The reactivity of chlorine increases as temperatures climb, which makes it more dangerous for hot-running contemporary cars than it was for older, cooler-running models. Interestingly, chlorine additives were used at about a one percent treat rate by the auto industry when they were used. Aftermarket oil additives today contain treat rates as high as 30 percent chlorine. DON’T BE FOOLED Some chlorinated aftermarket additive manufacturers claim that their products are non-corrosive. However, the corrosion inhibitors used in such products are a short-term fix, leaving engines open to corrosion after the additives have lost their effectiveness. WHAT’S THE ANSWER? Look at the labels of various oil additives, and you’ll see many note what they don’t contain. AMSOIL recommends against the use of all additives. They’re not needed. Why risk your engine by using any aftermarket additive? To ensure longest engine life and best engine performance over time, perform regular vehicle maintenance and use a top-quality motor oil without the aftermarket additives. |
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How can I tell if an additive has chlorine? Aftermarket oil additives with product claims such as
Unless the package states, "no haloginated or chlorinated materials" the consumer CAN'T tell if an additive contains chlorine. |
| Copyright © AMSOIL, August 1999 |
| Article 2 |
| General Motors Fuels and Lubricant Department Manager of Engine Oils and Chairman of the International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC) Dr. Michael L. McMillan responded in the Jan 1998 Hart's Lubricants World to claims made by aftermarket manufacturers in an Oct 1997 Hart's Lubricant World article about the products. |
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McMillan said,
"These supplemental aftermarket additives may upset the careful balance of additives already in engine oils, and actually cause engine harm, increase wear or adversely affect emissions or fuel economy. This is why General Motors specifically warns against the use of supplemental additives in owners manual recommendations to GM customers."
McMillan takes issue with the claim that, "the major automakers realize that such aftermarket products can significantly decrease wear and tear on engines." He states, "As a chemical engineer involved in lubricant recommendations for General Motors, I strongly disagree with this statement. Later [in the article], it is stated that engine wear can be reduced by up to 30 percent by using a motor oil ' that is correctly treated' [with aftermarket additives]. Where is the support for this assertion? In response to such claims, I can only say 'Show me the data!' If these additives do all - or even any - of the things they claim to do, such as reduce engine wear, prevent metal to metal contact, improve fuel economy and reduce friction, just to name a few, it should be relatively easy to demonstrate, with data obtained in industry recognized engine performance tests, the advantages of using such additives. I know I have asked suppliers of aftermarket additives who have contacted me for just that data, but in my 25 years with General Motors, I have yet to be provided with any such documentation." |
| Copyright © Hart's Lubricants World, January 1998 |
