Zetec oil weight?

[supersportsp]

I have a 2.0 Zetec non-SVT motor. What oil weight should I be running? I am having a hard time tracking this down for some reason.

[pksurveyor]

The Caterham dealer put in Castrol GTX 20W50 on the standard Zetec and Castrol Full Synthetic 10W30 on the SVT Zetec. Both cars run fine, although the standard Zetec's tappets are a little noisy when first started.

[supersportsp]

I spoke with Ben at Caterham USA/RMSC tonight and he told me 5w 30 is the way to go. Thoughts on this?

[slomove]

I spoke with Ben at Caterham USA/RMSC tonight and he told me 5w 30 is the way to go. Thoughts on this?

 

I think that is what most people are using on Zetecs. Especially the hydraulic tappet ZX1 engines seem to be a little picky.

[Guest speedcraft]

i've been running 5W30 synthetic [whatever is on sale] usually mobil 1 or castrol syntec on a ZX1 block with SVT sized stainless valves, solid lifters, in the valvetrain...no issues to date.

[oilteq]

I recommend oils meeting API CJ-4/SM specifications, which is primarily designed for diesel engines (the CJ-4 part), but also meets the requirements of gasoline engines (the SM part). The problem is that phosphate has been limited to 800 ppm in passenger car oils for the past few years to prolong cat life. The phosphorus goes in as a zinc phosphate (ZDDP), which is your anti-wear additive. Diesel oils permit 1200 ppm phosphorus, which is why I prefer them.

 

Anti-wear levels are not as big a deal in roller cam engines, but the DOHC engines most of us use have the cam sliding on the lifters. Performance cams, stiffer valve springs, and high rpm all increase valve train load and the need for more anti-wear additive.

 

Not convinced? Google “zinc cam failure.” Stay off the forums, but look for tech bulletins and manufacturer’s sites.

 

Oils meeting CJ-4/SM are available in SAE 15W-40, 10W-30 (in northern climates), and synthetic 5W-40. If you go for the 15W-40, be patient with warm-up.

 

Blaine