New Motor Oil Designation to Replace CJ 4

[Dick W.]

API CK-4 oils will replace current API CJ-4 engine oils, the formulation most widely available today. It is backward compatible with most applications where engine manufacturers currently recommend CJ-4 and will provide a number of improvements over CJ-4, including improved shear stability, oxidation resistance, and aeration control.

Tony Negri, HDEO product director for Phillips 66 Lubricants, says the new formulations do everything that the familiar CJ-4 oils did, while also improving wear resistance, reducing aeration and decreasing corrosion.

[Leif A.]

Re: New Motor Oil Designation to Replace CJ 4

Thanks for the heads-up Dick.

[Michael J.]

Re: New Motor Oil Designation to Replace CJ 4

Any chemical analysis as to what has changed, like ZDDP levels for instance?

[Duke W.]

Re: New Motor Oil Designation to Replace CJ 4

From what I've been able to determine it looks like the maximum P concentration has not changed and remains at 1200 ppm, same as CJ-4, but I haven't found any CK-4 spec sheets. They should be on the Web by the time CK-4 is on store shelves in the first quarter of next year. The key phrase is "backward compatible".

Don't have a panic attack and go out and buy a lifetime supply of CJ-4. Many other attributes of CK-4 are better than CJ-4 like oxidation and foaming resistance, both of which are good things.

And remember, brand name makes no difference. All CK-4 oils are certified via the same lab and field tests and are essentially the same blend of base stock oils and additives.

If it's labeled API CK-4 it's best for all vintage engines with sliding surface valve trains regardless of brand.

Duke

[Ed S.]

Re: New Motor Oil Designation to Replace CJ 4

Like many members I am anxiously looking forward to the final adjudication of the new CK-4 oil as it pertains to our beloved vintage Corvettes. Like Duke, I immediately began to search around the internet for specs / data on the CK-4. Didn't find what I was looking for but I did stumble across a memo from Ford Motor Company re CK-4, bottom line, they don't like it and are advising not to use in in their latest generation of diesels. Don't know if their objections are applicable to or should be a concern to our community. Perhaps Duke or others more knowledgeable on this subject can comment or render an opinion. See the attached PDF from Ford.

[Dick W.]

Re: New Motor Oil Designation to Replace CJ 4

Little hint, most likely most of the CJ-4 on the shelves right now is CK-4 spec oil. All the major oil refiners have been producing it for several months now. The license to use the CK-4 label just became valid on 1 December. Another new spec out there is FA-4. It is designed for 2017 diesels and up ONLY Do not assume it to be better that anything else. Is is designed for low friction engines and are of a lower viscosity

[Dick W.]

Re: New Motor Oil Designation to Replace CJ 4

They are telling you that you will have to buy oil that has a Ford label. CJ-4 is now obsolete from most manufacturers. When Cummins, Cat, Detroit, Mack, Navistar and others are approving the use of CK-4 something tells me it is either a marketing ploy from Ford, or they have an engine design problem.

[Dick W.]

Re: New Motor Oil Designation to Replace CJ 4

From what I've been able to determine it looks like the maximum P concentration has not changed and remains at 1200 ppm, same as CJ-4, but I haven't found any CK-4 spec sheets. They should be on the Web by the time CK-4 is on store shelves in the first quarter of next year. The key phrase is "backward compatible".

Don't have a panic attack and go out and buy a lifetime supply of CJ-4. Many other attributes of CK-4 are better than CJ-4 like oxidation and foaming resistance, both of which are good things.

And remember, brand name makes no difference. All CK-4 oils are certified via the same lab and field tests and are essentially the same blend of base stock oils and additives.

If it's labeled API CK-4 it's best for all vintage engines with sliding surface valve trains regardless of brand.

Duke

http://www.api.org/products-and-services/engine-oil/eolcs-categories-and-documents/oil-categories#tab_diesel-c-categories