Detergent & High Detergent oil?

Is there a difference between “Detergent” and “High Detergent” motor oil?

Thank you,
MikeP

 

The level of Zinc Dithiophosphate (ZDP) in the oil. Generally, diesel engine oil is considered high-detergent because of increased levels of ZDP and due to the rigors of a diesel engine. Small engines just don't need the increase of ZDP, therefore they are classified merely a detergent oil.

 

puey61,

Thank you for your response.

Will the increaded level of ZDP harm small engines like lawn mowers, pressure washers or generators?

MikeP

 

No, it merely adds to the cost of the oil. If cost is not a factor, I'd highly recommend synthetic oil.

 

puey61,

Thanks again for your prompt response.

Two more questions. I have several quarts of Pennzoil HD30, API Service SL. Can I use this oil in equipment that calls for API Service SH & SJ and SAE 30 detergent oil. Also, the oil containers do not say detergent. Does the SJ classification indicate that it is detergent?

MikeP

 

The gasoline-standard (as opposed the the diesel-standard) API category of the oil determines whether or not it is a detergent oil. The only two classifications of non detergent oil are API SA and API SB. All other classifications are detergent oils, with SL being the most recent. The oil you have has a "HD" (generally meaning Heavy Duty) labeled "weight" and really means nothing other than to trick the consumer into thinking that you are buying a better oil when in fact the API class determines its duty. On the other hand, diesel classifications do dictate duty, which I could go on forever about this and isn't necessary here so I'll spare your and my time. By all means, go ahead and use the oil you have in anything that calls for 30 weight oil. The "HD" likely indicates that it is a relatively recent API classification but check on the back label for actual classification.

 

puey61

Thanks so much for the information that you provided. I genuinely appreciate the detail and your taking the time to explain it.

Just to give back a little to the folks in this forum that are novices like me and may have read this thread the following link will take you to an informative API Service chart.

http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/API.html

puey61, thanks again.

Regards,
Mike